Fitness guru and prominent commentator Jillian Michaels has launched a scathing critique of former President Donald Trump's recent executive order promoting controversial pesticides, labelling the move as "actually devastating" for public health.
Michaels Condemns Trump's Executive Order
Jillian Michaels, best known as a trainer on the television weight-loss programme The Biggest Loser and a supporter of Robert F. Kennedy Jr's Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, made the remarks during an interview with NewsNation's The Hill programme on Monday. She expressed grave concerns over Trump's order, which provides protections for glyphosate, a chemical widely used in herbicides.
Cancer Risks and Scientific Evidence
"It is not a conspiracy theory that glyphosate is linked to cancer," Michaels asserted. "There are hundreds of studies that have illustrated how it increases risk significantly for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma." She further highlighted allegations against chemical companies, claiming they attempted to suppress information about the dangers.
Michaels referenced over 170,000 lawsuits and whistleblower accounts, stating that companies knew of the risks and created "ghost studies" to mislead the public. This has led to a massive $7.25 billion settlement by agrochemical maker Bayer to resolve claims that its weedkiller Roundup, which contains glyphosate, causes cancer.
Trump's Justification and Kennedy's Support
In his executive order, Trump argued that glyphosate production is critical to agricultural supply chains, warning that restrictions would harm farmers and impede their ability to meet growing food demands. Despite previous criticisms, Robert F. Kennedy Jr backed Trump's decision, suggesting it would revive U.S. agricultural chemical production and reduce reliance on adversarial nations.
Michaels' Rebuttal and Economic Concerns
Michaels dismissed Trump's economic rationale, pointing to subsidies for ultra-processed crops like corn, soy, and wheat. "I don't buy that," she said, emphasising that there is no shortage of such crops due to substantial government funding.
She speculated that powerful interests influenced the order following Bayer's settlement, calling it "an existential threat" and expressing deep disappointment over the policy shift.
Bayer's Settlement and Ongoing Disputes
Germany-based Bayer, which acquired Monsanto in 2018, has disputed links between glyphosate and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. However, the company acknowledged that mounting legal costs threaten its ability to sell Roundup in U.S. markets. CEO Bill Anderson noted that the settlement aims to provide "a road to closure" after years of litigation uncertainty.
Regulatory and Health Perspectives
The Environmental Protection Agency maintains that glyphosate is not likely carcinogenic when used as directed, contrasting with concerns raised by health experts like Michaels. The debate continues as the MAHA movement and others advocate for stricter regulations amid ongoing health and environmental worries.
