From Big Gulps to Raw Milk: The Rise of MAHA

Today's guest is Elizabeth Nolan Brown, whose recent Reason cover story looks into the politics of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement spearheaded by Health and Human Services secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Just a decade or so ago, it was Democrats, liberals, and progressives who were pushing healthy eating initiatives and it was common to see Republicans and conservatives like Sarah Palin brandish Big Gulps like AR15s and Fox News anchors like Sean Hannity declare their loyalty to Kentucky Fried Chicken.

But now the Trumpian right is embracing wellness and food purity like nobody’s business--and is using the state to enforce its preferences.

Nick Gillespie talks with Brown about how we got here, where it’s headed--and whether you’ve eaten your last red M&M.

This episode was recorded live in front of an audience in New York City. Go here to get information about upcoming events, including the Reason Roundtable live in New York on July 15!

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0:00 - Intro
1:17 - What is MAHA?
4:51 - The right used to scoff at wellness
11:31 - Processed foods were once desirable
13:13 - Liberals were first to embrace 'farm to table'
15:21 - What led to the right's embrace of healthy living?
23:52 - Where libertarians and MAHA align
27:43 - How RFK Jr. won over the right
30:44 - Research quality of dietary recommendations
35:53 - Concerns about the MAHA movement
37:17 - School lunches and food stamps
40:14 - Tradwives
43:00 - Gender roles and MAHA

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