MAHA Activists Critique Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Performance

<figure><img alt="rfk robert f kennedy jr donald trump dr mehmet oz" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/ZZRATV6GLZCLNIMP7TZLTUCMMY.JPG?auth=6c6cd914d6548afbc76f19daa7f6beb409bb55c48cea75ea2240a242ea7e4e9d&amp;smart=true&amp;width=2505&amp;height=1409" /><figcaption>Evan Vucci / REUTERS</figcaption></figure><p>Some supporters of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) initiative have expressed dissatisfaction with his performance, citing unmet commitments. On Thursday, MAHA activists introduced a scorecard that outlines how Kennedy, currently serving as the health and human services secretary, has allegedly failed to fulfill his promises to the movement.</p><p>The scorecard claims that since taking office, Kennedy and the administration have not fully honored any of the MAHA promises. Among the individuals involved in creating the scorecard are Dave Murphy, a former fundraiser for Kennedy’s campaign, and Charles Eisenstein, who previously worked as a speechwriter for Kennedy. MAHA advocate Tiffany Cianci authored the scorecard.</p><img alt="The project alleged that the Trump administration has come up short on all of its promises. / Screenshot/MAHA Scorecard" height="621" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/KTKGJAUY2RFTXLW5HM63HG3KLI.png?auth=fd80092d8dceb6301a423109f41b0a6251bd719618ee3c964b2bb651d97e52ce&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1431&amp;height=621" width="1431" /><p>Cianci stated that the Trump administration’s “lack of interest” in addressing their commitments to the MAHA movement was a significant disappointment. The promises outlined in the scorecard pertain to five key areas: pesticide exposure, clean air and water, agency capture and appointments, family farms, and healthy food for children.</p><img alt="Kennedy has drawn the ire of some of his staunchest supporters. / MARK MAKELA / REUTERS" height="2412" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/KIJBZT7LV5A25EHZFHPJIZNKUU.JPG?auth=9c1292a7aad42651787d4b165f6a971928e82ca05459027a9d7a6562532eb741&amp;smart=true&amp;width=4288&amp;height=2412" width="4288" /><p>The scorecard indicates that the administration has allegedly broken 37 promises, including cuts to clean air and water grants, cancellation of local food programs, and the appointment of lobbyists to oversight roles.</p><p>Kennedy was reported to have “partially kept” five promises, which included his directive to halt the recommendation of fluoride in local water systems and the USDA’s inconsistent support for domestic beef producers.</p><img alt="EPA administrator Lee Zeldin was also criticized several times throughout the scorecard. / Evelyn Hockstein / REUTERS" height="1238" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/35T4HSHZBRCVLFHMUO343LGZLM.JPG?auth=2dc299af2a9571b968797ad5ffaf6499ecfa72b286ac1bce1d1deb4102b6960b&amp;smart=true&amp;width=2200&amp;height=1238" width="2200" /><p>Cianci defined “partially kept” as meaning that some action was taken towards the promise, but it was incomplete, non-binding, contradicted by other actions, or significantly delayed from the promised timeline.</p><p>The scorecard concluded with a list of demands directed at the EPA, USDA, and HHS, which included restoring department staffing, tightening ethics regulations, and reforming agency programs.</p><img alt="Kennedy is at odds with his base. Again. / Nathan Howard/REUTERS" height="3787" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/DVSSTJS3YZBIPPS66GY3JDQJYQ.JPG?auth=57d651becd308bf1e14c25d00684764cec2f1740ff591ae017e9c75a3822f555&amp;smart=true&amp;width=5676&amp;height=3787" width="5676" /><p>The Daily Beast has contacted the USDA and the EPA for comments regarding the scorecard.</p><p>An HHS spokesperson stated, “President Trump and Secretary Kennedy are delivering the fundamental change Americans voted for,” emphasizing that Kennedy remains focused on implementing reforms based on science, transparency, and accountability. White House spokesperson Allison Schuster added that MAHA “has found a champion in President Trump,” noting that the administration has achieved significant victories for the MAHA agenda, including changes to dietary guidelines, removal of artificial ingredients from food, and investments in regenerative farming.</p><img alt="Cianci started TikTok Town Hall, a social media livestream on which she's interviewed Kennedy several times. / Piroschka Van De Wouw / REUTERS" height="3667" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/CU3VPJFIGZHZFNDTMZ2O3GVY5A.JPG?auth=460499eb3c69fe8efabe1b725d3afa0d68ad0321c6b3861c2219b3f5cea1f36c&amp;smart=true&amp;width=5500&amp;height=3667" width="5500" /><p>Cianci remarked that the Trump administration not only failed to meet its promises but also “did the inverse,” claiming that instead of “draining the swamp,” the administration appointed individuals from it to key positions. She noted that she had initially intended to release the MAHA scorecard after the midterm elections but expedited the release due to Congress's early recess.</p><p>The MAHA movement emerged during Kennedy’s 2024 presidential campaign, uniting advocates for food safety, vaccine skepticism, and environmentalism. Following Kennedy's endorsement of President Trump and his subsequent appointment to the Cabinet, MAHA aligned itself with the Trump administration, anticipating that Kennedy could help advance its objectives.</p><p><a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/maha-loyalists-deliver-scathing-scorecard-to-rfk-robert-f-kennedy-jr">Read more at The Daily Beast.</a></p>