The last one: When asked on CNN’s “State of the Union” whether the DOJ would investigate Means’ allegations, Blanche responded, “Something someone says on a podcast? No, I don’t listen to that. Absolutely not.”
- Blanche called Means a “disgruntled former administration official” and praised former White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, who Trump announced Friday would be replaced by Stephen Miller.
- On “Fox News Sunday,” Blanche said the allegations about Wiles’ financial dealings did not concern him.
- But Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-Ind.) told CNN that “any allegations of impropriety of this type should be investigated.”
Driving the news: Means, who alleged widespread corruption in an interview Friday with Joe Rogan, told CBS’ “Face the Nation” that he wants Wiles fired.
- Means accused Wiles of blocking an initiative to examine children’s sugar consumption because she wanted donations from the sugar industry for the midterm elections.
- He also alleged that Wiles’ deputies pushed policies favorable to the flavored vaping and kratom industries despite the objections of officials working on the Make America Healthy Again program.
- Means accused Trump pollster Tony Fabrizio of advising against defining ultra-processed foods while receiving money from PepsiCo.
- The White House and Justice Department did not respond to Axios’ request for comment.
What they say: Former FDA Commissioner Marty Makary confirmed part of Means’ account in a statement to CBS.
- “Big tobacco companies have exploited their relationships with the administration and HHS officials,” Makary said, alleging repeated pressure to approve fruit-flavored vapes.
- Makary said kratom lobbyists have also tried to undermine his attempts to restrict the substances.
- He did not identify the officials who put pressure on him.
The other side: Former White House adviser James Blair, one of Wiles’ allies whom Means accused of wrongdoing, disputed Means’ allegations in messages to Axios.
- “I have not promoted flavored vaping at all,” Blair said, adding that he has never weighed in on individual applications or which flavors should be approved.
- Blair said he was following Trump’s instructions to ensure the FDA made timely decisions on applications, whether to approve or deny them.
- “The voters elected President Trump. Not me, not Calley Means,” Blair told Axios. He said he has never dealt with the politics of kratom and is reviewing his legal options.
A spokesperson as Wiles told Axios: “Calley Means’ accusations are outrageous, defamatory and patently false. Susie has dedicated her career to fighting for President Trump and the American people, and will not allow these lies to go unanswered.
Speaking to Axios, Fabrizio called Means’ allegation that he was “in the pocket of big pharma” “ridiculous” and “patently false,” citing his company’s polling showing support for lower prescription drug prices and policies that would reduce pharmaceutical profits.
- Fabrizio also said he encourages Republican lawmakers to campaign on Trump’s “most favored nation” drug pricing proposal.
- In a statement on
- Ballard Partners said it did not lobby Wiles or anyone at the White House on fruit-flavored vapes or any other issue. Means mentioned, glyphosate, the active ingredient in the weedkiller Roundup, owned by Bayer.
In February, Trump outraged MAHA activists by signing an executive order granting “immunity” to glyphosate producers, as Bayer struggled under the weight of lawsuits over the roundup.
- In June, the Supreme Court ruled 7-2 that federal law preempted state lawsuits over pesticide sales, making it harder for people to sue over cancer claims related to Roundup use.
Between the lines: Means portrayed Trump as oblivious to decisions made by his advisers. But the Wall Street Journal reported in May that Trump personally pressured Makary to endorse flavored vaping products.
- Pressed by CBS’ Margaret Brennan, Means said he did not know whether Trump called Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after meeting with tobacco industry representatives.
- Means argued that advisers manipulated what reached the president and invoked Trump’s authority to advance their own priorities.
- Blair rejected this characterization, telling Axios: “In the White House, I have always implemented the president’s agenda. »
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with a statement from Susie Wiles and Ballard Partners.
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