Here’s what Trump is planning to do.
Americans who receive food stamps might soon face restrictions on purchasing sugary drinks and junk food, according to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. This new initiative is part of the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to reform the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), aiming to ensure taxpayer dollars are used efficiently and responsibly. Secretary Rollins has teamed up with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to prioritize healthy food options for SNAP beneficiaries.
Rollins emphasized that the goal is not to take food away from those in need but to make better use of government resources. “We’re not going to take food out of a hungry child’s mouth, but we must look at how the program has grown, especially under the Biden administration,” Rollins remarked. Under President Biden’s leadership, SNAP expenditures surged nearly 30%, prompting concerns about where the money is going. Rollins added, “When taxpayers are funding this program, should their money go toward sugary drinks and junk food, or should we focus on providing healthier choices?”
Rollins and Kennedy were confirmed by the Senate last Thursday and will serve on the newly formed Make America Healthy Again commission, which seeks to address food security and nutrition in the U.S. Currently, around 42 million Americans rely on SNAP, with the program costing taxpayers $112.8 billion annually. Benefits average $211.93 per month, but some argue the funds are not always used effectively.
In Congress, there are already proposals addressing the issue. Rep. Josh Brecheen (R-Okla.) has introduced a bill that would prohibit the purchase of soft drinks, candy, ice cream, and other unhealthy foods with SNAP benefits. Additionally, Brecheen and Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) have co-sponsored a bipartisan bill to study how SNAP can better promote nutrition security.
Secretary Rollins also expressed her desire for input from the business community, particularly from Elon Musk’s DOGE team, to ensure that government programs, like SNAP, are operating efficiently. “It’s about providing a hand up, not just a handout,” Rollins said. The push for reform highlights a broader concern about the role of government in supporting, rather than perpetuating, dependency.
As SNAP continues to grow, the Trump administration remains committed to making sure the program serves its intended purpose of helping families while encouraging healthy, sustainable habits. With the involvement of leaders like Rollins, Kennedy, and Musk, the future of food assistance in America could look very different, focusing on healthier choices and more effective use of taxpayer dollars.