Make America Healthy Again - Trump populism comes to health regulation (1 Viewer)

[superchuck500]

This is going to need a thread as we move forward - there are now clear signs that Trump supports a new, critical if not dubious approach on vaccination, and his HHS nominee RFK Jr. regularly espouses eating raw milk and raw meat . . . dietary components most experts agree are more dangerous than their heated counterparts.

Health is certainly one of those areas were anti-institutionalism and turning to popular influencers over medical science comes with genuine risk of harm.

Today Trump provided his most clear indication that he is a vaccine skeptic - claiming (falsely of course) that the USA doesn't "do as well" as other nations that use no vaccines at all.

 

[Optimus Prime]

At the same time, the H5N1 avian flu virus has been detected in raw milk over the last month. One product, from a company called Raw Farm, led to a recall. While one might expect this would lead to consumers avoiding the product, raw milk sales are up by 65% . Red states, like Wisconsin, are even preparing for the raw milk industry to grow under a Trump presidency.

For decades, raw milk has been consumed by alternative health types, typically those who intersected with the “raw food” movement, a diet fad where people would eat only raw food.

But recently it’s become popular among conservatives. It’s not hard to see where this is going. As scientists and public health officials warn consuming raw milk is unsafe amid the bird flu outbreak, conservative politicians and extreme wellness advocates are increasingly becoming bigger proponents of it, trying to create an "us versus them" situation.

Mark McAfee, the CEO of the California-based company Raw Farm, — the company that recalled their raw milk after it was detected in California — recently claimed that public health regulators don’t want raw milk to “thrive.”

The country’s potential incoming Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has long promoted the consumption of raw milk. Just this past summer, Kennedy bragged to an audience at an event that he only drinks raw milk, and more recently, claimed the Food and Drug Administration’s so-called “war on public health” includes “suppression” of raw milk.

How did raw milk become an alternative health trend MAGA conservatives can rally around?

“Since the pandemic, we have seen a strong nexus between wellness culture and the far right,” Dr Stephanie Alice Baker, Associate Professor at City St George’s, University of London, told Salon. “This could be seen as part of a return to tradition, but more so an emphasis on purity and the sanctity of the body.”

Indeed, what alternative health types who might have previously been viewed as “progressive” and far-left have in common with many Trump supporters is an anti-establishment sentiment. Both can unite around the idea that the past was better in some way than the present, which might include a time when the country didn’t pasteurize its milk.

Some might call this declinism, the belief that a society or institution is on the decline, and it tends to spark a romanticized nostalgia, which can manifest as a raw-milk comeback being promoted by so-called homesteaders on social media and conservative politicians alike.

“It builds on the assumption that unprocessed products are healthier and more nutritious,” Baker added. “What is rarely discussed are the health risks associated with consuming unpasteurized milk.”..................

Why conservatives are now obsessed with raw milk

Raw milk represents being anti-establishment, which both far-left and conservative health types have in common

www.salon.com

 

[Dragon]

Once upon a time in my youth, I drank a lot of raw milk. At the time, I was working as the manager of a small family dairy farm as part of my education. I was studying Agronomy at the University of Agriculture, Food, and Veterinary Science in Copenhagen but later switched my major to IT due to severe allergies.

The main difference between what the MAGA world promotes today and what I did back then is knowledge. The milk I drank came from our own cows, and I knew they were healthy and free of any medication residues. Any cow showing signs of illness or undergoing treatment was removed from production for at least two months. We also conducted tests on every batch of milk at the farm, and additional testing was done at the dairy.

We never sold unpasteurized milk, and the raw milk we consumed ourselves was always fresh from the cows, handled with care and under strict hygiene standards.

Today, I would never drink unpasteurized milk. The primary reason is that I lack any insight into how the milk is produced or how the cows are treated. Back then, I had intimate knowledge of both the animals and the processes involved, which made all the difference.

 

[Scoutster]

I would have no issue with drinking raw milk now or in future, I have before. I still eat steak tartare with a raw egg on top, usually a quail egg.

 

[UncleTrvlingJim]

I would have no issue with drinking raw milk now or in future, I have before. I still eat steak tartare with a raw egg on top, usually a quail egg.

Really? Even if you have no idea of the health or safety standards of the farm you are buying from?

 

[Dragon]

I would have no issue with drinking raw milk now or in future, I have before. I still eat steak tartare with a raw egg on top, usually a quail egg.

The key difference is that in the US, there have been proven cases of H5N1 linked to the consumption of infected raw milk. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, public sentiment heavily criticized China for failing to limit exposure to zoonotic viruses by not shutting down wildlife meat markets. Ironically, some individuals in the US are now deliberately repeating a similar mistake by exposing themselves to H5N1, potentially allowing the virus to evolve into a strain capable of human-to-human transmission.

 

[Scoutster]

The key difference is that in the US, there have been proven cases of H5N1 linked to the consumption of infected raw milk. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, public sentiment heavily criticized China for failing to limit exposure to zoonotic viruses by not shutting down wildlife meat markets. Ironically, some individuals in the US are now deliberately repeating a similar mistake by exposing themselves to H5N1, potentially allowing the virus to evolve into a strain capable of human-to-human transmission.

I’m perfectly OK with everyone eating whatever they want. I’ve eaten steak tartare, raw milk, raw fish … throughout the world, including China. Also during the original bird flu pandemic where in Thailand we were eating family style. I’m not gonna worry about every little thing in life, it’s not what I do. My only concern is making sure I cook bear and boar meat that I’ve hunted to the right temperature so I don’t get trichinosis for the record. I think RFK junior is a horrible choice for the FDA I support most immunizations personally and for others. I don’t support Covid immunizations forever every six months for the rest of my life personally. I did the first round and I’m not gonna do anymore. I’m not here to support and enrich pharmaceutical industry. I also have never gotten a flu shot and I’m still here after 54 years so I’m doing OK How about they make a vaccine the last 20 years or just admit they can’t and want more money anyways.

 

[brandon]

My only concern is making sure I cook bear and boar meat that I’ve hunted to the right temperature so I don’t get trichinosis

Why does this particular disease concern you?

 

[Scoutster]

Why does this particular disease concern you?

It doesn’t concern me a whole lot, I’ve had it twice. Cooking meat from bear over a campfire in the field that I thought looked pretty much done. It’s unlikely to kill you so it’s not serious concern to me.

 

[Dragon]

I’m perfectly OK with everyone eating whatever they want. I’ve eaten steak tartare, raw milk, raw fish … throughout the world, including China. Also during the original bird flu pandemic where in Thailand we were eating family style. I’m not gonna worry about every little thing in life, it’s not what I do. My only concern is making sure I cook bear and boar meat that I’ve hunted to the right temperature so I don’t get trichinosis for the record. I think RFK junior is a horrible choice for the FDA I support most immunizations personally and for others. I don’t support Covid immunizations forever every six months for the rest of my life personally. I did the first round and I’m not gonna do anymore. I’m not here to support and enrich pharmaceutical industry. I also have never gotten a flu shot and I’m still here after 54 years so I’m doing OK How about they make a vaccine the last 20 years or just admit they can’t and want more money anyways.

Because viruses evolve—and they will continue to evolve. This is their survival strategy. The more people who get infected, the greater the chance for mutations to occur, potentially allowing the virus to bypass your immune system.

It’s like an arms race: you don’t keep fighting with bows and arrows if the enemy has invented cannons. Vaccines need to adapt to keep pace with these evolving threats. That’s why immunizations are essential—they're part of humanity's ongoing defense in the arms race against diseases.

 

[Scoutster]

Because viruses evolve—and they will continue to evolve. This is their survival strategy. The more people who get infected, the greater the chance for mutations to occur, potentially allowing the virus to bypass your immune system.

It’s like an arms race: you don’t keep fighting with bows and arrows if the enemy has invented cannons. Vaccines need to adapt to keep pace with these evolving threats. That’s why immunizations are essential—they're part of humanity's ongoing defense in the arms race against diseases.

I’m gonna say this is nice as I can the greatest threat to the earth, the environment and all the remaining species that we haven’t led to extinction already is because of our over population we are at 8 billion people plus I’m not worried about humans becoming extinct until we make ourselves so by as usual, self-serving dumbass choices and will take the rest of the planet and almost all species with us when we do so. We are a plague you gotta come to terms with that. The human population has beat mother nature, she’s been trying to take us down for a number of years and limit our numbers for the rest of the world’s betterment, but it hasn’t worked so worry about your milk whatever you wanna do, but we are the cause of the decline of every species on this planet and its ultimate demise. That is reality.

 

[Dragon]

I’m gonna say this is nice as I can the greatest threat to the earth, the environment and all the remaining species that we haven’t led to extinction already is because of our over population we are at 8 billion people plus I’m not worried about humans becoming extinct until we make ourselves so by as usual, self-serving dumbass l choices and will take the rest of the planet and almost all species with us when we do so. We are a plague you gotta come to terms with that. The human population has beat mother nature, she’s been trying to take us down for a number of years and limit our numbers for the rest of the world’s betterment, but it hasn’t worked so worry about your milk whatever you wanna do, but we are the cause of the decline of every species in this planet and its demise. That is reality.

You raise valid points. While overpopulation is a critical issue, the narrative often shifts uncomfortably toward blaming certain groups—particularly those in poorer countries—rather than addressing the global systems and behaviors driving environmental destruction.

First-world countries are the primary exploiters of Earth’s resources, consuming disproportionately and often outsourcing the environmental costs to developing nations. For instance:

• The Amazon rainforest is being decimated, not because of local overpopulation, but to supply cheap beef for markets like the US.
• Waste management is another stark example. Many first-world countries, including the US, lag behind Europe in sorting trash and reducing plastic waste. Why? Because some view it as an infringement on personal freedom.

And let’s not forget policies like “drill, drill, drill,” which prioritize short-term profit over long-term sustainability, actively counteracting global efforts to adopt renewable energy. These behaviors highlight that it’s not just the number of people that matters, but how those people live. Overconsumption and wasteful practices in wealthier nations have a far greater impact than population numbers in poorer countries.

The real question is: are the first-world countries ready to lead by example and change their unsustainable lifestyles? Until that happens, blaming overpopulation in other regions is just a distraction from the systemic issues driving the planet’s decline.

 

[Scoutster]

We’re on the same page, First world countries are spoiled and to blame. But to be honest. The second and third world countries are trying to be us. We are a forking plague. Do you not understand that electric cars are not green and I can post horrible pictures of where pollution comes from to get their rare earth metals. Humans are a forking plague in the end on this planet and it’s other species. In the end, I care more about animals than the plague humans that we have become on this planet. Mother nature has been trying to thin our heard for a long time, I hope she does and very soon.

 

[Dragon]

We’re on the same page, First world countries are spoiled and to blame. But to be honest. The second and third world countries are trying to be us. We are a forking plague. Do you not understand that electric cars are not green and I can post horrible pictures of where pollution comes from to get their rare earth metals. Humans are a forking plague in the end on this planet and it’s other species. In the end, I care more about animals than the plague humans that we have become on this planet. Mother nature has been trying to thin our heard for a long time, I hope she does and very soon.

3rd world countries are those who always pays the highest price in your scenario so no we are not on the same page. And I am sorry but I can't hope for people to die like you do.

Right now, much of the world acknowledges climate change as an extinction-level threat and is actively working toward solutions. One glaring exception is the incoming US administration, whose “drill, baby, drill” mindset is doubling down on fossil fuels—despite the fact that the US is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.

If we want to see real progress, maybe the focus should shift to holding these major players accountable. Targeting people who are already suffering under the weight of first-world exploitation isn’t just misguided; it’s cruel. Real change starts with addressing the root causes, not hoping for nature to "thin the herd.

 

[Scoutster]

3rd world countries are those who always pays the highest price in your scenario so no we are not on the same page. And I am sorry but I can't hope for people to die like you do.

Right now, much of the world acknowledges climate change as an extinction-level threat and is actively working toward solutions. One glaring exception is the incoming US administration, whose “drill, baby, drill” mindset is doubling down on fossil fuels—despite the fact that the US is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.

If we want to see real progress, maybe the focus should shift to holding these major players accountable. Targeting people who are already suffering under the weight of first-world exploitation isn’t just misguided; it’s cruel. Real change starts with addressing the root causes, not hoping for nature to "thin the herd.

No, the real progress for the world and the rest of the species and even the Third World countries is if the first world countries install a lottery to cut off half of the population pull a ticket and if you lose, you don’t exist anymore. How hard is this? We are a forking plague as a species on this planet. The second and third world countries after we are gone will become first world countries. What do you not understand?

If we vote in the first world countries to have the lottery, I’ll pull my ticket will you?

 

[Dragon]

No, the real progress for the world and the rest of the species and even the Third World countries is if the first world countries install a lottery to cut off half of the population pull a ticket and if you lose, you don’t exist anymore. How hard is this? We are a forking plague as a species on this planet. The second and third world countries after we are gone will become first world countries. What do you not understand?

If we vote in the first world countries to have the lottery, I’ll pull my ticket will you?

Your dystopian solution is not only unnecessary but deeply flawed. Here’s why:

Population growth in most first-world countries is already declining, with many nations facing aging populations and shrinking workforces. Even in many developing nations, birth rates are dropping as access to women's healthcare, education, and economic opportunities improve. History shows that empowering women and improving healthcare—not extreme, inhumane lotteries—lead to sustainable population control.

As for your "lottery" idea, it assumes that eliminating people from first-world countries would somehow solve the planet’s problems, which is overly simplistic. The issue isn’t just the number of people—it’s how resources are consumed and distributed. Cutting populations in half won’t magically reverse environmental destruction if exploitative systems and overconsumption remain unchecked.

If you’re serious about making a difference, focus on changing unsustainable lifestyles, pushing for renewable energy, and advocating for fair global systems. Wishing for a mass culling isn’t progress—it’s giving up. And no, I wouldn’t pull my ticket, because I believe in fighting for solutions that preserve life—not destroy it. Would you?
.

 

[cuddlemonkey]

No, the real progress for the world and the rest of the species and even the Third World countries is if the first world countries install a lottery to cut off half of the population pull a ticket and if you lose, you don’t exist anymore. How hard is this? We are a forking plague as a species on this planet. The second and third world countries after we are gone will become first world countries. What do you not understand?

If we vote in the first world countries to have the lottery, I’ll pull my ticket will you?

No, you wouldn't. If you think we are a plague and half of the country should die, why are you still here? Why is anyone who thinks that still here? It's because you don't want half of the population to randomly disappear. You want the other half to disappear. Not your half.

 

[Scoutster]

No, you wouldn't. If you think we are a plague and half of the country should die, why are you still here? Why is anyone who thinks that still here? It's because you don't want half of the population to randomly disappear. You want the other half to disappear. Not your half.

I completely support a lottery in the free world to pull your ticket. I would pull mine obviously you wouldn’t pull yours. The real problem with the earth’s decline from an environmental and other species sustainability standpoint is humans and our over population. That is undeniable. There is no getting around it, so when you are willing to pull your ticket for the lottery, let me know and I’ll do the same.

 

[J-DONK]

I completely support a lottery in the free world to pull your ticket. I would pull mine obviously you wouldn’t pull yours. The real problem with the earth’s decline from an environmental and other species sustainability standpoint is humans and our over population. That is undeniable. There is no getting around it, so when you are willing to pull your ticket for the lottery, let me know and I’ll do the same.

This can all be solved if you would actually start drinking copious amount of raw milk.