Blanche rejects Means' corruption claims as GOP health feud escalates

Attorney General Todd Blanche dismissed corruption allegations made by former Trump health adviser Calley Means against senior White House officials, calling them baseless podcast claims, even as a Republican congressman and a former FDA commissioner raised concerns. Blanche rejected the allegations on Sunday, describing Means as a "disgruntled former administration official" and declining to investigate. Rep. Marlin Stutzman called for scrutiny, while former FDA Commissioner Marty Makary backed parts of Means' account, alleging tobacco and kratom lobbyists pressured officials. Means accused former chief of staff Susie Wiles of blocking health initiatives for sugar-industry donations and claimed aides favored vaping and kratom interests. Wiles ally James Blair denied the accusations, and pollster Tony Fabrizio called them "ridiculous," though the Wall Street Journal reported Trump personally pressured Makary on flavored vapes.