On February 25, 2026, President Donald Trump delivered a record-long State of the Union speech that covered a wide range of topics, from immigration to the economy, military strikes, and crime. However, noticeably absent from his address was any mention of his administration’s health care agenda, specifically the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement.
MAHA, spearheaded by Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., aimed to promote healthier eating habits, overhaul drug development, and endorse skepticism towards vaccines. Under Kennedy’s leadership, the Department of Health and Human Services made significant changes to the national dietary guidance and vaccine schedule, reducing the number of recommended childhood vaccines.
Despite the controversy surrounding these moves, with declining childhood vaccination rates globally and widespread support for vaccines, Trump chose not to mention MAHA in his address. This omission, along with recent leadership changes at HHS, suggests a possible shift away from MAHA and any antivaccine efforts in light of the upcoming 2026 midterm elections.
While Trump briefly touched on health care in his speech, highlighting his prescription drug pricing program and affordability of in vitro fertilization, the lack of emphasis on MAHA raised questions about the movement’s future. Some MAHA supporters have also expressed concerns about Kennedy’s support for Trump’s executive order promoting glyphosate, a probable carcinogen.
Despite these challenges, MAHA has not been entirely overshadowed. Trump’s surgeon general pick, Casey Means, a vocal advocate for MAHA, appeared before a Senate committee for confirmation. Means has been critical of the food and drug industries for downplaying the role of a healthy diet in preventing disease, aligning with MAHA principles.
As Republicans brace for potential losses in the midterms, the future of MAHA and its controversial aspects remains uncertain. Whether the Trump administration will refocus on popular areas like nutrition or continue to push forward with Kennedy’s agenda remains to be seen.
In conclusion, the omission of MAHA from Trump’s State of the Union address signals a potential shift in the administration’s health care priorities. With the midterm elections looming, the fate of MAHA and its impact on public health policy will be closely watched in the coming months.
