EDITOR’S NOTE
In lieu of a daily newsletter, we wanted to share our new MAHA Today newsletter with all our subscribers. We hope you enjoy, and we’ll be back tomorrow with Capitol Reset.
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WHAT WE'RE WATCHING
🌐 White House launches TrumpRx drug platform. The Trump administration announced TrumpRx.com, a site linking Americans directly with drug makers to cut out middlemen and offer prices up to 80 percent lower. The government won’t actually sell drugs, but will provide a portal under Trump’s Most-Favored-Nation order.
💊 Trump secured Pfizer drug price deal. The Trump administration announced a new agreement requiring Pfizer to match the lowest global prices for its drugs in US Medicaid programs. The White House also claims that foreign nations will no longer “freeride on American innovation,” and that those purchasing directly from Pfizer will see steep price reductions.
🔬 Trump signed an order for AI to fight childhood cancer. The president signed an executive order directing federal agencies to use artificial intelligence to accelerate cures for pediatric cancers. The initiative adds $50 million to the Childhood Cancer Data Initiative and builds on Trump’s first-term groundwork.
🔎 FDA to review abortion pill safety. After pressure from 22 state attorneys general, the Trump administration’s FDA committed to a full review of mifepristone, the abortion drug responsible for over 60 percent of US abortions. A recent study found nearly 11 percent of users suffer serious complications, far higher than earlier data suggested.
INSIDER RADAR
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that Utz Brands pledged to fully remove artificial colors from its products by the end of 2027.
Kennedy also highlighted that Swedish Fish maker Mondelez will switch to natural, rather than artificial dyes.
Health and fitness expert Jillian Michaels asserted that “there is an unquestionable connection to the microbiome and autism,” adding that Tylenol “destroys your gut lining.”
NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya said the backlash to the Tylenol–autism warning is a symptom of Trump Derangement Syndrome.
QUICK AND IMPORTANT
A new documentary called Big Food is coming to Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video on Thanksgiving, featuring MAHA star Calley Means.
Walmart is eliminating synthetic dyes and 30 other ingredients from all its private brand food products.
Sugary drinks were linked to colorectal cancer spreading faster in a new peer-reviewed study.
UK health officials are refuting President Trump’s claims linking Tylenol to autism, calling them baseless and dangerous.
The most clicked link in our last newsletter was the CDC's postponement of a vote on newborn Hep B shots.
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THE MAIN STORY
Trump pushes pot amid surging support
_WHAT’S HAPPENING_
President Donald Trump surprised many when he posted a video last weekend proclaiming the benefits of CBD oil — derived from marijuana — for senior citizens.
The move, which is concerning Republicans who are opposed to loosening drug laws, came as his administration is considering making marijuana enforcement less strict.
_THE FACTS_
President Biden submitted a proposed rule to reclassify marijuana down from a Schedule I to Schedule III substance. President Trump stated in August that his administration was still considering it.
Trump’s recently posted video touted the benefits of hemp-infused CBD oil for individuals 65 and older, portraying it as something of a miracle cure for a variety of illnesses.
The video was created by The Commonwealth Project, which seeks to advance the political and societal acceptance of medical cannabis.
The Commonwealth Project was founded by Howard Kessler — a Palm Beach billionaire and longtime Trump associate.
CBD-related stocks rose dramatically after Trump posted the video, with some rising as much as 36 percent.
During Trump’s first term, the law was changed to allow the broad cultivation of hemp, which includes CBD.
Conservative hemp-producing states, such as Kentucky, have supported more legalization efforts.
Marijuana is increasingly popular, particularly among young people; in 2024, fully 42 percent of 18-30-year-olds reported using the drug in the past year.
87 percent of Americans support at least some amount of pot legalization.
_OUR INSIGHTS _
The legal marijuana industry, though still tightly regulated, was valued at nearly $40 billion in 2024. Easing those restrictions could further expand the market. At the same time, FEC filings show the marijuana industry contributed $1 million to Trump’s super PAC earlier this year.
Further, Donald Trump outperformed typical Republican nominees with young voters in the 2024 election, and Republicans are likely aiming to sustain that support in the 2026 races and beyond. Loosening marijuana policy may be one approach to keeping that cohort.
_JOIN THE DISCUSSION_
Is it a good idea for the US to have a booming pot industry?
BIAS SPOTTER
How left and right outlets frame Trump on the marijuana issue
_LEFT_
Market rallies on Trump’s post: Reuters said shares of cannabis companies surged after President Trump’s social media post. Tilray Brands jumped 42 percent, Aurora Cannabis gained more than 25 percent, and Canopy Growth rose 18 percent following the endorsement. Reuters
Unexpected endorsement: The Washington Post reported that Trump’s call for Medicare coverage of CBD “sparked surprise,” marking a notable shift in the administration’s public stance on cannabis-derived products. Washington Post
_RIGHT_
America First health initiative: Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) framed Trump’s potential rescheduling of marijuana as part of his “America First” agenda. The piece argued the move would expand patient access and strengthen oversight without promoting recreational use. The Washington Times
Connecting marijuana to violence: The Daily Caller argued against rescheduling, citing research linking THC to psychotic injuries such as schizophrenia. The article connected marijuana use to several mass shootings, including incidents in Sutherland Springs and Uvalde. The Daily Caller
_THE DAILY DEBATE_
POLLS RESULTS FROM YESTERDAY
Do you trust the Trump administration’s medical advice?
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 👍 Yes (1,046)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 👎 No (115)
🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 🤔 Unsure (261)
👍 Yes: “I trust RFK Jr.! He is treading as carefully as he can while using old science standards instead of politics to make health recommendations.” — Shannon
👎 No: “Medical advice should come from trusted medical experts, not politicians.” — Jeffrey
🤔 Unsure: “We must all do our due diligence: consult our doctors and do our own research.” — Dawn
_POP QUIZ_
Trump's executive order directs AI to battle which disease?
Today’s newsletter was written by Brandon Goldman, Anthony Constantini, and Ariel David. We scoured 100s of sources to bring you stories and insights you won’t find in the mainstream media.
