What is ‘MAHA’? RFK Jr. pushes new slogan to ‘Make America Healthy Again’ as Trump Health and Human Services secretary

Election Day marked a win not just for Republicans, but also for the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative and its associated PAC.

The PAC launched in September as a self-proclaimed “powerful new political action committee dedicated to advancing the health-focused policies championed by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) through the re-election of President Donald J. Trump”—with the hope of securing RFK Jr.’s nomination as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS).

It seemed to have worked. With the presidential election now decided, and RFK Jr. nominated for the position, MAHA has shifted its attention to the next challenge: securing Senate confirmation for RFK Jr.—a process MAHA admits “will face opposition from Senators influenced by corporate lobbyists tied to Big Pharma and Big Ag,” adding, “this is where we step in as the voice of the people.”

MAHA aligns strongly with RFK Jr.’s vision of “making America healthy again,” including by reducing corporate influence in public health and environmental policy decisions, and eliminating harmful chemicals from food, water, and air, according to the PAC. Its website claims it was launched to “channel the powerful momentum of the health freedom movement into decisive action for the 2024 election and going forward, supporting a transformative ticket of leaders dedicated to restoring health and integrity in America.”

When Trump teased RFK Jr.’s nomination last October, asserting he would “let him go wild on health,” the announcement sparked concern among many scientists. Meanwhile, MAHA framed RFK Jr.’s potential leadership as a “historic opportunity to dismantle corporate influence in healthcare and agriculture, reduce environmental toxins, and put the health of Americans first.”

Kennedy is well known for his vocal opposition to fluoride in drinking water and vaccine mandates, and has even claimed that chemicals in water impact children’s sexuality—positions that have drawn sharp criticism from the scientific community. As Trump’s pick to lead the HHS, RFK Jr. will oversee a sprawling department responsible for public health, food safety, and medical research, despite lacking a medical degree—a departure from tradition.