Undercover Exposé Reveals How Top Beef Companies Control US Market

O'Keefe Media Group uncovers insider accounts of price manipulation by Tyson, JBS, Cargill, and National Beef

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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In a bombshell undercover investigation, the O'Keefe Media Group has exposed how the 'Big Four' beef companies - Tyson, JBS, Cargill, and National Beef - secretly control the U.S. beef market through collusion, price fixing, and anti-competitive practices. Ranchers and industry insiders provided firsthand accounts of the major meat packers' dominance, describing how they can 'knock you out of this industry in two seconds' and have 'closed all the markets' to stifle competition.

Why it matters

The revelations from this investigation raise serious concerns about the lack of competition in the U.S. beef industry and the impact on consumers, who are seeing higher prices at the grocery store. It also comes amid an ongoing federal probe into potential price manipulation by the major meat companies, launched by President Trump in response to falling cattle prices and rising beef prices.

The details

The O'Keefe Media Group went undercover at the CattleCon industry conference in Nashville, Tennessee, where they spoke directly with ranchers and other insiders. The sources described how Tyson, JBS, Cargill, and National Beef - which control the majority of the U.S. beef processing market - are able to dominate the industry and impact pricing through anti-competitive practices that eliminate competition.

  • In November 2025, President Trump directed the DOJ to investigate potential price manipulation by the major meat companies.
  • The O'Keefe Media Group conducted its undercover investigation at CattleCon 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee.

The players

Tyson

One of the 'Big Four' beef companies that controls a large portion of the U.S. beef processing market.

JBS

One of the 'Big Four' beef companies that controls a large portion of the U.S. beef processing market.

Cargill

One of the 'Big Four' beef companies that controls a large portion of the U.S. beef processing market.

National Beef

One of the 'Big Four' beef companies that controls a large portion of the U.S. beef processing market.

James O'Keefe

Founder of the O'Keefe Media Group, which conducted the undercover investigation exposing the 'Big Four' beef companies' control of the market.

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What they’re saying

“This may explain why your steak keeps costing more.”

— James O'Keefe, Founder, O'Keefe Media Group (The Gateway Pundit)

What’s next

The Department of Justice's investigation into potential price manipulation by the major meat companies is ongoing, with the findings expected to be released in the coming months.

The takeaway

This investigation sheds light on the alarming lack of competition in the U.S. beef industry, where just a handful of major companies appear to be colluding to control prices and squeeze out smaller players. The revelations underscore the need for robust antitrust enforcement to protect consumers and ensure a fair, competitive marketplace.