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RFK Jr. Backs Trump Glyphosate Production Order Despite Prior Cancer Claims

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  • WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 11: U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks during an event to “Celebrate the Implementation of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans” at the Health and Human Services Headquarters on February 11, 2026 in Washington, DC. Kennedy celebrated the updated guidelines and the Make America Healthy Again movement with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, former boxing heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, U.S. Chief Design Officer Joe Gebbia, American Medical Association President Bobby Mukkamala, Chef Andrew Gruel, Defense Department Undersecretary Mike Obadal, and Bureau of Prisons Director William Marshall. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
    WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 11: U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks during an event to “Celebrate the Implementation of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans” at the Health and Human Services Headquarters on February 11, 2026 in Washington, DC. Kennedy celebrated the updated guidelines and the Make America Healthy Again movement with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, former boxing heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, U.S. Chief Design Officer Joe Gebbia, American Medical Association President Bobby Mukkamala, Chef Andrew Gruel, Defense Department Undersecretary Mike Obadal, and Bureau of Prisons Director William Marshall. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
    Image: Newsweek
    WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 11: U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks during an event to “Celebrate the Implementation of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans” at the Health and Human Services Headquarters on February 11, 2026 in Washington, DC. Kennedy celebrated the updated guidelines and the Make America Healthy Again movement with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, former boxing heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, U.S. Chief Design Officer Joe Gebbia, American Medical Association President Bobby Mukkamala, Chef Andrew Gruel, Defense Department Undersecretary Mike Obadal, and Bureau of Prisons Director William Marshall. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) Source Full size
  • WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 11: U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks during an event to “Celebrate the Implementation of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans” at the Health and Human Services Headquarters on February 11, 2026 in Washington, DC. Kennedy celebrated the updated guidelines and the Make America Healthy Again movement with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, former boxing heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, U.S. Chief Design Officer Joe Gebbia, American Medical Association President Bobby Mukkamala, Chef Andrew Gruel, Defense Department Undersecretary Mike Obadal, and Bureau of Prisons Director William Marshall. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
    WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 11: U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks during an event to “Celebrate the Implementation of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans” at the Health and Human Services Headquarters on February 11, 2026 in Washington, DC. Kennedy celebrated the updated guidelines and the Make America Healthy Again movement with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, former boxing heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, U.S. Chief Design Officer Joe Gebbia, American Medical Association President Bobby Mukkamala, Chef Andrew Gruel, Defense Department Undersecretary Mike Obadal, and Bureau of Prisons Director William Marshall. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
    Image: Newsweek
    WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 11: U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks during an event to “Celebrate the Implementation of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans” at the Health and Human Services Headquarters on February 11, 2026 in Washington, DC. Kennedy celebrated the updated guidelines and the Make America Healthy Again movement with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, former boxing heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, U.S. Chief Design Officer Joe Gebbia, American Medical Association President Bobby Mukkamala, Chef Andrew Gruel, Defense Department Undersecretary Mike Obadal, and Bureau of Prisons Director William Marshall. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) Source Full size

Kennedy Shifts From Anti‑Glyphosate Stance to Executive Order Support On Feb. 23, 2026, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., former anti‑glyphosate advocate, publicly endorsed President Donald Trump’s executive order to expand domestic glyphosate output, arguing it safeguards agricultural stability and national security [1]. The order also grants limited legal immunity to manufacturers that follow the federal directive [1]. Kennedy’s endorsement contrasts with his long‑standing claim that glyphosate is “toxic by design.”

Executive Order Invokes Defense Production Act and Limits Immunity Trump signed the order under the Defense Production Act, directing the USDA to prioritize contracts for elemental phosphorus and glyphosate‑based herbicides to prevent supply shortages [2]. The directive provides “limited” immunity for firms complying with the order, a point highlighted by both outlets [1][2]. Critics note the immunity is narrower than full legal protection, leaving manufacturers vulnerable to certain lawsuits.

Kennedy’s Earlier Statements Link Glyphosate to Cancer A resurfaced January interview shows Kennedy telling the Katie Miller Podcast that he believes glyphosate causes cancer [2]. He also warned in a June 2024 X post that the chemical is a likely driver of America’s chronic disease epidemic [2]. The EPA maintains glyphosate is “not likely carcinogenic” when used as directed, while the IARC classifies it as “probably carcinogenic to humans” [1][2].

Political and Advocacy Reactions Split Along Party Lines Democrats such as Sen. Cory Booker have used the controversy to court Moms Across America (MAHA) supporters, while Republican Rep. Thomas Massie introduced a “No Immunity for Glyphosate Act” to overturn the order [2]. MAHA founders Zen Honeycutt and Kelly Ryerson condemned the policy as a betrayal [1]. The split reflects broader midterm electoral calculations and divergent health‑policy philosophies.

Legal and Safety Debate Continues Amid Conflicting Agency Assessments Ongoing lawsuits challenge glyphosate’s safety, with plaintiffs citing the IARC’s 2015 “probably carcinogenic” finding [2]. The EPA’s position that glyphosate poses no cancer risk when used properly remains unchanged [1]. The legal landscape is expected to evolve as the executive order expands production and immunity provisions.

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Timeline

2015 – The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans,” a designation that fuels decades‑long scientific and legal battles over the herbicide’s safety[1].

June 2024 – Robert F. Kennedy Jr. posts on X that glyphosate is “one of the likely culprits in America’s chronic disease epidemic” and pledges that his USDA will ban its use as a wheat desiccant[1].

December 2025 – Activist Kelly Ryerson petitions to fire EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, then meets him at a MAHA Christmas event, prompting an hour‑long dialogue at EPA headquarters and opening a channel for MAHA‑focused negotiations[3].

Dec 31, 2025 (New Year’s Eve) – Zeldin announces new limits on five common chemicals in building materials, plastics and adhesives, touting the move as a “MAHA win” and signaling the agency’s new partnership with the Make America Healthy Again coalition[3].

January 2026 – In a Katie Miller Podcast interview, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. states, “I believe glyphosate causes cancer,” a claim that resurfaces as the White House prepares to keep glyphosate‑based fertilizers in supply[1].

February 2026 – President Donald Trump signs an executive order invoking the Defense Production Act to prioritize contracts for elemental phosphorus and glyphosate‑based herbicides, arguing that shortages threaten agricultural productivity and national security[1].

Feb 21, 2026 – A video of Kennedy’s January interview resurfaces, highlighting his cancer claim just as the administration issues the glyphosate‑production order, intensifying partisan debate over the policy[1].

Feb 23, 2026 – Kennedy publicly endorses Trump’s glyphosate executive order, calling pesticides “toxic by design” yet arguing the order is essential for agricultural stability and national security[2].

Feb 23, 2026 – MAHA supporters, including founder Zen Honeycutt and activist Kelly Ryerson, denounce Kennedy’s endorsement as a betrayal, accusing the EPA of inaction and labeling the policy “unforgivable”[2].

2026 (ongoing) – The EPA maintains that glyphosate is “not likely carcinogenic” when used as directed, a stance that directly contradicts Kennedy’s repeated cancer warnings[2].

2026 (ongoing) – EPA staff join weekly MAHA Action calls and begin drafting a health‑focused agenda targeting lead‑pipe removal, PFAS (“forever chemicals”), plastic waste, food‑quality standards, and Superfund clean‑ups[3].

2026 (ongoing) – The EPA’s hiring of former American Chemistry Council officials and a soybean‑association lobbyist raises concerns about a potential clash between deregulation pressures and MAHA health goals[3].

Nov 2026 – The controversy over glyphosate policy and Kennedy’s split with MAHA supporters is expected to shape the 2026 midterm elections, with Democrats such as Sen. Cory Booker courting the movement’s base[2].

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