Trump Authorizes Farmers and Ranchers to Process Their Own Food Amid Criticism
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President Donald Trump announced that he was authorizing farmers and ranchers to be allowed to “PROCESS THEIR OWN FOOD” and accused big meat processors of being a “nasty Monopoly” on the industry.
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The HillTrump moves to allow farmers, ranchers to process their own food President Trump announced on Friday he would move to allow American farmers and ranchers to process their own food, hitting back against what he called the “monopoly” created by large processors. Trump noted in a post on Truth Social that farmers and ranchers “have always been a number one priority” for him, adding that he…
The Daily Wire“There are, essentially, 4 of them, a very non competitive number, and they make life miserable for our wonderful Farmers and Ranchers, and I can’t let that happen, can I?” asked Trump. “So, in order to break this powerful monopoly, with much of its ownership based outside of the U.S., I am authorizing legal documents to be drawn in order to allow Farmers and Ranchers to be given the right to PROCESS THEIR OWN FOOD. This should move quickly.”
The Guardian USDonald Trump has pledged to allow cattle ranchers and farmers to process their own food amid a backlash from the US agricultural sector over his decision to pause US tariffs on foreign beef.
USA TodayTrump apparently took the suggestion to heart. Two days after their interview ‒ and as the president faces a backlash from ranchers ‒ Trump on Aug. 28 announced on Truth Social that he plans to "break this powerful monopoly" by ordering his administration to begin drafting legal action to give ranchers and farmers "the right to PROCESS THEIR OWN FOOD."
Washington Examiner“So you’re saying, with, with less regulation, you think that the ranchers and farmers would do a very good job of processing the beef?” Trump asked. “This could be a very good call for ranchers and farmers, no, for the country … This is a very big thing you just told me, though, because you just gave me a very good idea. OK, good, good, very good. I love the call. I love this call.”
ReutersTrump vows legal order to break up 'nasty monopoly' in food processing - Reuters Trump vows legal order to break up 'nasty monopoly' in food processing Reuters
ABC NewsIn addition to this proclamation, the Trump administration is considering a rollout of separate policy changes sought by the beef industry in an attempt to allay some criticism from ranchers and Republican lawmakers, a source familiar with the discussions told ABC News.
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The US president has been sharply criticized, including from members of his own party, since announcing the US will temporarily import up to 300,000 metric tons of foreign beef without charging higher tariffs in a bid to bring down prices.
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Washington ExaminerTrump and Rollins’ announcements come as farmers and ranchers have criticized the administration’s decision last week to permit up to 300,000 metric tons of beef products to be imported into the country during the next three months without tariffs as a measure to counter affordability concerns before November’s midterm elections.
ABC NewsThe president initially announced this move last Friday, touting it as an effort to lower beef prices in the U.S. This comes as midterm elections are around the corner, with grocery prices top of mind for voters. But it prompted swift backlash from farmers, ranchers, and Republican lawmakers who argue that it hurts the domestic agriculture industry and undercuts American beef production.
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“Wyoming ranchers produce the highest quality beef in the world,” Senate Republican Whip John Barrasso (R-WY) wrote on X. “Our ranchers don’t ask for special treatment. They simply want a fair marketplace. It needs to be easier – not harder – for Wyoming ranchers to feed America.”
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ABC News"It needs to be easier – not harder – for Wyoming ranchers to feed America. I will continue to fight for policies that strengthen Wyoming beef producers and invest in the American cattle herd," he added.
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“Our great AMERICAN ranchers produce the highest-quality, most incredible beef in the world AND it is a matter of national security that we be able to feed and fuel ourselves,” Rollins wrote on X. “The world is hungry for American beef!”
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Breitbart“We are on it Mr. President,” Rollins said. “Our great American ranchers produce the highest-quality, most incredible beef in the world AND it is a matter of national security that we be able to feed and fuel ourselves.”
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Massie urges passage of PRIME Act following Trump move to ease meat processing restrictions GOP Rep. Thomas Massie (Ky.) reupped his calls Friday for Congress to remove barriers for local meat processors after President Trump announced he would make it easier for ranchers to process their own food. “This is great, but it should be a law, not just an executive order,” Massie wrote in a social media post,…
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USA TodayRep. Thomas Massie, R-Kentucky, a rival of Trump, has previously introduced the PRIME Act, which seeks to exempt "custom slaughter facilities" from federal meat inspections, as long as the slaughtering and preparation of meat at those facilities follow state law. The bill has not advanced.
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Four companies control about 85% of U.S. meat processing: Cargill, Tyson Foods, JBS USA, and National Beef Packing Co.
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The Daily WireThe president was referring to the top-four food processors in the United States: JBS USA, which is the U.S. subsidiary of the Brazil-based JBS S.A., Tyson Foods, Cargill, and the National Beef Packing Company, which is majority owned by a Brazilian meat company called Marfrig. Those companies control 80% to 85% of the U.S. beef processing business.
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Independent claims that didn't surface elsewhere in our corpus. Treat as supplementary — not corroborated across outlets.
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01 ABC News Farmers, ranchers and GOP lawmakers have expressed public outrage over the plan.
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02 Washington Examiner Farm-state Republicans from cattle country have scrutinized the decision, contending that American farmers and ranchers could be undercut by foreign countries like Argentina.
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03 The Guardian US Republican lawmakers have warned in recent days that “flooding” stores with imports will hit US ranchers, suggesting that the move is a short-term solution that will hinder cattle farmers from building out their herd, amid a 75-year low.
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04 New York Times ‘Trump Voters Are Finally Starting to Sour on Him’ Democrats want fighters. A former Republican has ideas.
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05 USA Today "Wow," Trump said. "I'm going to look into that today. I've been hearing about this problem for 20 years."
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06 Breitbart “This should move quickly,” Trump added. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins responded to Trump’s post in a post on X, praising American ranchers for producing “the highest-quality, most incredible beef in the world.”
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07 The Daily Wire The White House argues that these meat packers have “squeezed America’s cattle producers, shrunk herds, and jacked up prices at the grocery store.” In November 2025, the president ordered the DOJ to investigate the meat packing companies for possible collusion, price manipulation, or price fixing. At the time, the White House released messaging arguing that the industry consolidation had crushed competition and hammered cattle producers, exploiting American consumers, farmers, and ranchers.
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- reuters