Means Accuses Wiles of Favoring Lobbyists Over Health Policy

Allegations of industry influence over federal health policy have intensified following criticism of the White House leadership. Calley Means, a former senior federal health official who resigned two weeks earlier after disagreements with the administration, accused Chief of Staff Susie Wiles of prioritizing political fundraising over public health during a Friday interview with podcaster Joe Rogan.

In the two-hour interview, Means described disagreements over policies affecting children's diets, flavored electronic cigarettes and kratom products. He alleged that Wiles and her team repeatedly placed fundraising considerations ahead of proposed health initiatives.

Means specifically claimed that Wiles withheld support for his efforts to improve children's diets because the administration needed financial backing from the sugar industry. He also alleged that her team sought additional approvals for flavored e-cigarettes, a priority for major tobacco companies.

According to Means, tobacco companies donated at least $20 million to the Republican Party in 2026. He further accused White House officials of yielding to substantial lobbying pressure from the kratom industry over proposed restrictions on products sometimes described as "gas station heroin."

Means described what he said were repeated conversations with Wiles about the administration's financial requirements ahead of the midterm elections.

"Susie said to me many times: 'We need money for the midterms, Calley. We need money for the midterms,'" Means said.

The allegations emerged as Wiles faced mounting criticism following significant Republican losses in the midterm elections. Disagreements over political strategy and responsibility for the electoral results had intensified scrutiny of the White House chief of staff.

President Donald Trump subsequently announced a leadership change in a Truth Social post on Friday afternoon. He said Wiles would leave her position as chief of staff on Monday and move to the Trump political operation, with senior adviser Stephen Miller taking over her White House role.

Trump publicly praised Wiles while announcing the change.

"Susie Wiles, who has done an outstanding job, will be moving over to the Trump Political Operation. I want to thank her for her service as Chief of Staff — She has done a great job!" Trump wrote.

Wiles and the White House were not immediately available to comment on Means's allegations. Their response remained pending when the report was published.

The White House and the Department of Health and Human Services have previously rejected allegations that industry lobbying dictated the administration's health care decisions. In earlier responses, both said the administration consistently acted in the best interests of the American people.

Under the announced transition, Wiles was scheduled to leave the chief of staff position on Monday, while Miller was designated to succeed her.