Trump Meets with MAHA Leaders to Mend Tensions Ahead of Midterms

The private White House session aimed to keep disenchanted MAHA voters in the Republican fold.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 10:05am

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A solitary, pensive figure of President Trump sitting alone in the Oval Office, the room illuminated by warm, dramatic lighting and deep shadows, capturing a sense of quiet contemplation and political fragility.In a private meeting, President Trump sought to mend fences with disenchanted MAHA movement leaders and shore up their support ahead of the midterm elections.NYC Today

President Donald Trump met privately with leaders of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s 'Make America Healthy Again' (MAHA) movement on Thursday as part of a high-level White House strategy session to address concerns from disenchanted MAHA voters ahead of the midterm elections. The meeting included top White House officials and MAHA activists, with Trump spending over 20 minutes discussing their issues in the Oval Office.

Why it matters

The MAHA movement, made up largely of former Democrats and independents who supported Trump in 2024 after Kennedy's endorsement, has become a crucial voting bloc for the Republican Party. However, tensions have risen after Trump issued an executive order to ramp up production of the controversial weedkiller glyphosate, which the MAHA movement opposes. This private meeting reflects the administration's efforts to mend those wounds and keep MAHA voters engaged ahead of the crucial midterm elections.

The details

The private meeting, which lasted nearly two hours, involved a roundtable discussion between MAHA activists and top White House officials including Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller. The attendees discussed messaging and other matters, with Trump also inviting them into the Oval Office. One participant, Alex Clark of the conservative group Turning Point USA, said the activists left feeling 'hopeful and grateful' to have their concerns heard directly by the president's advisers.

  • The meeting took place on Thursday, April 10, 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States, who met with MAHA leaders to address their concerns ahead of the midterm elections.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The Health Secretary who founded the 'Make America Healthy Again' (MAHA) movement, which has become a crucial voting bloc for the Republican Party.

Susie Wiles

The White House Chief of Staff who participated in the roundtable discussion with MAHA activists.

Stephen Miller

The White House Deputy Chief of Staff who participated in the roundtable discussion with MAHA activists.

Alex Clark

A health and wellness podcaster for the conservative group Turning Point USA who attended the meeting and expressed feeling 'hopeful and grateful' to have their concerns heard.

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What they’re saying

“These are the ladies who aren't going to be 'Team Diet Coke'”

— Alex Clark, Health and wellness podcaster, Turning Point USA

“Dr. Means is trustworthy to the MAHA base and one way for the administration to get its message out would be to ensure that she is confirmed.”

— Alex Clark, Health and wellness podcaster, Turning Point USA

What’s next

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear an appeal of one of the Bayer glyphosate cases later this month, with the Trump administration siding with Bayer. MAHA activists intend to stage a demonstration on the courthouse steps and are set to be joined by progressive Democrats, including Rep. Chellie Pingree of Maine.

The takeaway

This private meeting reflects the fragility of Trump's alliance with the MAHA movement, a crucial voting bloc for Republicans. By directly addressing their concerns, the administration aims to keep disenchanted MAHA voters engaged ahead of the midterm elections, despite tensions over issues like the administration's support for the weedkiller glyphosate.