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Ruby Cramer: The Power of MAHA

Sep 1, 2026 · 1h 1m

Summary

Host Tim Miller interviews New Yorker writer Ruby Cohn about her feature on the "MAHA" wellness movement, which blends legitimate health concerns with anti-vaccine conspiracy theories. Cohn details a West Virginia custody battle over medical treatments and explains how RFK Jr. capitalized on public distrust to merge these disparate beliefs. The discussion also covers Cohn’s reporting on ICE’s escalation tactics, citing the shooting of Marimar Martinez as a precursor to recent Minneapolis incidents.

Topics discussed

Sponsors and Introduction The rise of the MAHA movement and RFK Jr. How mainstream voters are drawn into anti-vax spaces Case study: Michael and Leah's descent into MAHA The custody battle and measles scare Psychology of belief and fear of disease return MAHA vs. MAGA and political implications Agrohoods and alternative living communities ICE operations and the Marimar Martinez case DNC leadership and party dynamics Profile of Carrie Lake and her quirks Twin flames, raw milk, and vaccine anecdotes Conclusion and final thoughts on trust
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