Trump pledges to let farmers process their own meat to break the grip of 'nasty Monopoly' meatpackers

President Trump announced on Truth Social that he will sign authorisation documents enabling farmers and ranchers to process and sell their own meat, taking aim at the four dominant meatpackers he described as a "nasty Monopoly." The move follows Trump's decision earlier this week to ease restrictions on beef imports — a step that enraged US cattle farmers already under pressure from his trade and Iran war policies. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the USDA will begin issuing red-tape waivers from Monday to support smaller processors and make it easier for ranchers to sell meat across state lines.

The largest US cattle industry trade group condemned the announcement, warning that weakening federal meat inspection standards would be a 'serious mistake.'

Food safety advocates say protections established under the 1967 Wholesome Meat Act remain vital to consumers — and Trump's plan gives little indication of how those safeguards would be maintained.

The announcement followed conservative broadcaster Glenn Beck pitching the idea directly to Trump in recent days, prompting fresh scrutiny of who is driving the president's agricultural agenda.