Calley Means, a top adviser to presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is making waves for calling out the U.S. health system — while also running a business that profits from alternative wellness products.
Means, who helps lead Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) campaign, says the U.S. health industry is “corrupt” and too focused on drugs. He criticizes major health organizations and even the FDA, saying they serve corporate interests over public health.
But Means also co-founded Truemed, a company that sells supplements, herbal products, and other wellness items. It helps customers use health savings accounts (HSAs) — which are meant for medical expenses — to buy things like protein shakes, yoga classes, or vitamin D supplements.
Some experts say this raises ethical red flags. While Means claims his government role doesn’t overlap with Truemed’s business, critics say promoting wellness products from inside the government creates a conflict of interest.
Truemed has been flagged by the IRS for pushing the limits of what counts as “medical.” The company gets around the rules by offering doctor-approved forms that say the products are medically necessary — often based on quick online surveys.
Critics warn that these tactics may mislead consumers and drain government funds. Meanwhile, health professionals say wellness products often lack solid scientific proof and could replace medications or treatments that actually work.
As more people turn to wellness trends for weight loss, stress, or immunity boosts, experts say it’s important to ask: Are these health claims backed by science — or just good marketing?
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