Donald Trump and, of all people, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime critic of glyphosate, classify the weed killer, which is criticized as carcinogenic, as “critical to national security.” The suburban mothers’ club is furious.

What passes for approval in many poorer countries is met with outrage in the USA. Conservative middle- and upper-class women don’t swallow everything they’re served. Image: MAHA Action

Washington — As reported by The Washington Post and The New York Times, a growing political crisis is emerging within a significant, though numerically small, segment of President Donald Trump’s support base. Parts of the conservative Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Moms movement say they feel “betrayed” after Trump signed a controversial executive order classifying the production of a herbicide which is criticized as carcinogenic, glyphosate, as well as the mineral phosphorus required for it, as “critical to national security.”

The order, formally issued on February 18, invokes the Defense Production Act to secure domestic production of glyphosate-based herbicides and phosphorus. According to the administration, the measure is intended to safeguard agricultural productivity, food security, and even the national defense of the United States.

Outrage Among MAHA Activists

Representatives of the MAHA movement, many of whom had previously been strong supporters of the president, reacted with anger. Many say they feel disappointed in their expectations of robust health and environmental policies. Activists such as Alex Clark, host of a prominent conservative health podcast, described the decision as “a slap in the face” to women who had voted for Trump in the belief that he would improve public health.

“This new decree promoting pesticides in the name of national defense is the most absurd thing I’ve ever heard,” Clark said, adding that many MAHA moms are “absolutely furious, discouraged, and unsure whether they will even vote in the midterm elections.”

Other prominent voices also criticized the move. Lori Ann Burd of the Center for Biological Diversity called it a “sickening love letter” to the world’s largest pesticide corporations and said it clearly prioritizes industrial interests over public health.

The Role of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Internal Conflict

Particularly explosive is the fact that the decision was made with the involvement of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Kennedy had long been a vocal critic of glyphosate-based herbicides and was considered one of the key political figures associated with the MAHA movement. His support for the executive order has surprised many activists and caused confusion, as it appears to contradict his earlier criticism of chemicals and pesticides.

Political Consequences and Reactions

Political observers see the controversy as more than a technical dispute over agricultural chemicals. The decision could alienate a familiar conservative voter group —particularly suburban mothers— and cause lasting damage to trust in Trump’s health policy. Some MAHA supporters warn that it could weaken Republican support in the upcoming midterm elections this fall.

On the other hand, representatives of the Trump administration argue that the step is necessary to secure critical supply chains and reduce dependence on foreign sources. They insist that the order does not constitute a blanket endorsement of glyphosate in all applications and note that work on sustainable agricultural solutions is continuing in parallel.

A Deepening Rift Within the Movement

What began as a political alliance between a health-focused movement and a presidential agenda now threatens to turn into an open split. Whether MAHA moms will deepen their withdrawal of political support —and what impact this may have on the U.S. election landscape— remains a question to be closely watched in the coming weeks and months.

By Okay Altinisik | 20-2-2026, 13:20:18