Real Foodology Podcast Summary: "The Rise & Impact of the MAHA Movement | Del Bigtree"

Release Date: May 21, 2025
Host: Courtney Swan
Guest: Del Bigtree, CEO of the MAHA Alliance and Informed Consent Action Network, Host of Highwire, and former Communications Director for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s 2024 presidential campaign

1. Introduction to Del Bigtree and His Background

Courtney Swan welcomes Del Bigtree to the Real Foodology podcast, highlighting his extensive work and influence in the realms of food policy, vaccine safety, and activism. Del is introduced as a prominent figure, known for his leadership roles in the MAHA Alliance and Informed Consent Action Network, as well as his role in Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s presidential campaign. Courtney expresses admiration for Del's commitment to uncovering truths and fighting for the people.

Notable Quote:
Courtney Swan [00:22]: "He's truly a truth seeker and just a fighter for the people."

2. Del's Early Life and Influences

Del shares insights into his upbringing in Boulder, Colorado, emphasizing the profound influence of his parents' conscious and health-focused lifestyle. His mother, in particular, played a pivotal role by adopting radical health practices, such as not vaccinating him and promoting natural healing methods like essential oils and meditation.

Notable Quotes:
Del Bigtree [04:27]: "My mom decided to not vaccinate me as a baby... she just mostly intuitively just said, we're gonna stick as close to nature as absolutely possible."

Del Bigtree [06:28]: "We had to grind our own wheat... homemade mayonnaise... everything was natural."

3. Del's Career in Television and Shift to Activism

Del recounts his tenure as a producer for the television show The Doctors, where he subtly infused alternative health perspectives into mainstream medical discussions. Notably, he orchestrated debates challenging major pharmaceutical narratives, such as the carcinogenicity of glyphosate, despite resistance from his executive producers.

Notable Quotes:
Del Bigtree [08:46]: "I was just pushing the envelope in ways like that."

Del Bigtree [13:09]: "I left television because I stumbled onto the vaccine conversation... I made a documentary called Vax, From COVID up to Catastrophe."

4. The Making of Highwire and the MAHA Movement

Transitioning from television, Del explains how his deep dive into vaccine controversies led him to create the Highwire podcast and establish the MAHA Alliance. His documentary Vax ignited global discussions on vaccine safety, resulting in significant backlash and increased public scrutiny of pharmaceutical practices. Del emphasizes the MAHA movement's focus on transparency, legal action against government institutions, and challenging established scientific narratives.

Notable Quotes:
Del Bigtree [13:09]: "Our nonprofit has a huge legal side... we've won against HHS, CDC, FDA, NIH."

Del Bigtree [17:58]: "This is the third rail of all third rails and it's the holy grail of modern medicine."

5. Vaccine Safety and the Autism Epidemic

A central theme of the discussion is the alleged link between vaccines and the rising rates of autism. Del presents historical data, arguing that autism rates have surged from 12.4% in the early 1980s to approximately 60% today. He critiques the medical establishment for allegedly covering up this connection through fraudulent studies and biased research protocols.

Notable Quotes:
Del Bigtree [21:48]: "There's a timing study... they saw four times the rate of autism in children who got vaccinated earlier."

Del Bigtree [27:02]: "Vaccine safety studies have never undergone double-blind placebo trials... the longest being six months."

6. Political Dynamics and Bipartisan Support

Del discusses the surprising shift in political support, noting that traditionally liberal regions like Boulder are now venues for bipartisan collaboration on health and environmental issues. He expresses frustration over the Democratic Party's resistance to his movement, contrasting it with the Heritage Foundation's unexpected environmental initiatives.

Notable Quotes:
Del Bigtree [35:20]: "It's one of the craziest pole shifts in politics... Heritage Foundation is talking about how can we clean up the water."

Del Bigtree [42:57]: "Maha is the most powerful voting bloc, grassroots voting block, maybe I've ever seen in my lifetime."

7. Addressing Concerns and Future Directions

Courtney raises concerns about disillusioned MAHA supporters feeling neglected by leadership, especially with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s appointment to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Del provides reassurance, emphasizing the continuous efforts of the MAHA Alliance to sustain the movement through legal battles and grassroots activism, ensuring that the fight against vaccine-related policies and environmental toxins remains robust.

Notable Quotes:
Del Bigtree [56:42]: "Bobby is trying to strategize how to have lasting change... we need to make sure our institutions are on board."

Del Bigtree [61:46]: "Our government doesn't usually, you know, look at foreign science... He has to have science that can stand up to all of the attack."

8. Technological and Legislative Initiatives

Del highlights ongoing initiatives within the MAHA movement, including legislative monitoring across states, providing resources for grassroots organizations, and developing directories for health practitioners who support their cause. He underscores the importance of state-level actions in effecting meaningful change in the food and health industries.

Notable Quotes:
Del Bigtree [64:54]: "We're going through a huge upgrade... building a directory for all of the grassroots groups that are tracking farming bills."

Del Bigtree [66:17]: "MAHA is the people's movement... we're going to make this the national movement."

9. Conclusion and Call to Action

In closing, Del reiterates the importance of unified grassroots efforts in transforming the nation's health landscape. He expresses optimism about the future under Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s leadership and urges listeners to engage with the MAHA Alliance through their website, fostering a comprehensive community dedicated to health advocacy and reform.

Notable Quotes:
Del Bigtree [73:12]: "Find your community... we're not just running a website, we're building a movement."

Del Bigtree [72:25]: "Maha Action is the future of health... make this really, truly the healthiest nation in the world."

Key Takeaways

• Del Bigtree's Role: A pivotal figure in advocating for vaccine safety and challenging the pharmaceutical industry's influence on public health policies.

• Autism Epidemic: Del posits a significant rise in autism rates, suggesting environmental factors and vaccine safety concerns as primary contributors.

• MAHA Movement: Focuses on legal actions against government institutions, legislative advocacy at the state level, and building a robust grassroots network to effect systemic change.

• Political Shifts: Unexpected bipartisan collaborations are emerging, although resistance from traditional allies like the Democratic Party poses challenges.

• Future Prospects: Optimism surrounds leadership under Robert F. Kennedy Jr., with ongoing initiatives aimed at comprehensive health reform and environmental safety.

For more information or to get involved, visit mahaaction.com and follow Del Bigtree on his platforms.