On June 29, 2026, the Supreme Court ruled 7-2 that Monsanto is not required to label its Roundup weedkiller with a warning about potential cancer risks. This decision has prompted backlash from the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, which claims to feel betrayed by the ruling. Activists within MAHA have expressed frustration with the Trump administration's support of Monsanto, particularly after a private meeting in April where President Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. engaged with MAHA activists.
The case originated from a lawsuit filed by John Durnell, who alleged that his use of Roundup led to his non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The Supreme Court's ruling stated that federal regulations do not require a warning label for glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) determined in 2020 that glyphosate is unlikely to be carcinogenic.
MAHA supporters, including David Murphy, have indicated that the ruling may influence their political affiliations, with some suggesting they may vote for Democrats in future elections. In response to the ruling, Senator Cory Booker announced plans to introduce an amendment to the Senate farm bill aimed at removing liability protections for pesticide companies. Representative Anna Paulina Luna also stated her intention to introduce legislation to strip pesticide companies of liability protections.
Bayer, which owns Monsanto, defended the ruling, claiming it restores regulatory clarity for the agricultural sector and consumers. The ruling has raised concerns among environmental advocates, who argue that it reflects a broader trend of prioritizing corporate interests over public health.