A recently leaked audio recording has laid bare a contentious exchange between Calley Means, founder of Truemed, and Peter Gillooly, CEO of The Wellness Company, underscoring a rift within the 'Make America Healthy Again' (MAHA) initiative. The explosive dialogue, released on Wednesday, captures Means threatening legal action and invoking his influential position as an adviser to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Means, who has pivoted from a lobbyist for Big Food and Pharma to a wellness advocate, has become a pivotal figure in the MAHA movement. His association with Kennedy has not only raised his profile but has also attracted controversy from both supporters and detractors. Given his past as a staunch Never Trump critic, Means' transformation and the nomination of his sister, Casey Means, as U.S. Surgeon General by President Donald Trump, has fueled divisive reactions.
During the recorded confrontation, Means accused Gillooly of leaking harmful details to conservative pundit Laura Loomer and disseminating a misleading "oppo document." The document, according to Means, was "factually and provably untrue." He is heard saying, "I have documented proof… If that little post isn't taken down, and if any other things happen that I know you're facilitating, I'm going to sue the shit out of you!" Means also threatened to rally his high-profile connections, indicating his readiness to employ his federal clout to protect his interests.
The situation escalated when Gillooly proceeded to lodge an ethics complaint, accusing Means of misusing his government role. Rift News has noted that Means' dual capacity as Kennedy's adviser and Truemed co-founder has sparked allegations of conflicts of interest, further complicated by his sister's contentious nomination. Trump has endorsed the appointment, quoting Kennedy's approval of Casey Means, yet it has deepened divisions within the coalition.
Some MAHA adherents have labeled the Means siblings as "controlled opposition," purporting to undermine Kennedy's objectives. Throughout the call, Gillooly seemed baffled by Means' allegations, seeking clarification and expressing confusion over the reason for the call. Despite Gillooly's apparent bewilderment, Means remained firm, insisting on his proof and directing Gillooly to discuss the matter with Foster Coulson, founder of The Wellness Company.
The dispute arises amidst allegations by Loomer of tax fraud against Truemed, which provides doctor’s letters for tax-exempt wellness purchases. Means contends that The Wellness Company is the source of these claims. While the company, known for its supplement sales and anti-vaccine board members, has not formally addressed these accusations, the ethics complaint against Means comes at a time when Kennedy has already let go of a significant portion of HHS staff in his mission to transform the department.
The leaked audio and the ensuing fallout have exposed the intricate and often volatile dynamics within the MAHA movement, bringing to light the complex interplay between personal relationships, political influence, and advocacy in the realm of health policy.
