Steve Cortes, president of the League of American Workers, said on the Health Policy Podcast that one unexpected outcome of the pandemic was its exposure of weaknesses in public health systems and the influence of industry, sparking greater interest in prevention and healthier lifestyles.
"Covid was a great reveal for for very many people on a whole host of issues, but particularly when it comes to health care, to public health authorities, to the medical establishment," said Cortes, Founder. "People realized that we were being systemically lied to and that Covid panic was manufactured for political reasons, like trying to control our lives, or to try to beat Donald Trump in the 2020 election. Once they got curious, they started researching more, learning more about the harms of ultra processed food learning, that the research done by the medical establishment is largely funded by the very producers of those harmful foods that makes us make us toxically obese and toxically sick. If there's any positive outcomes from the Covid panic, it's that it really revealed that very corrupt system and that corrupt structure to a lot of people and a lot of people."
Cortes said the pandemic served as a turning point for public trust in health authorities and nutrition research. "Covid was a great reveal for for very many people on a whole host of issues, but particularly when it comes to health care, to public health authorities, to the medical establishment (...) People realized that we were being systemically lied to and that Covid panic was manufactured for political reasons, like trying to control our lives, or to try to beat Donald Trump in the 2020 election," according to Cortes on the Health Policy Podcast.
A January 2025 KFF poll shows Americans are losing confidence in public health agencies. Trust in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention dropped from 66% in mid-2023 to 61% in 2025, with Republicans showing the biggest decline—from 48% to 39%. The Food and Drug Administration and state and local health officials show similar partisan divides, reflecting post-pandemic skepticism that Cortes highlighted. According to KFF.
Cortes also addressed concerns about ultra-processed foods (UPFs), saying: "Once they got curious, they started researching more, learning more about the harms of ultra processed food learning, that the research done by the medical establishment is largely funded by the very producers of those harmful foods that makes us make us toxically obese and toxically sick." CDC data show about 55% of daily calories come from UPFs—53% for adults and nearly 62% for kids and teens. Common sources include sandwiches, burgers, sweet bakery items, snacks, and sugary drinks. Higher-income adults tend to eat less UPFs. According to CDC.
Studies link heavy UPF consumption with worse health outcomes. A BMJ analysis found people in the highest UPF consumption group had a roughly 23% higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Other research shows links to all-cause mortality. While these studies are observational, evidence suggests reducing UPFs can improve long-term health—a key prevention focus Cortes emphasizes. According to BMJ.
"If there's any positive outcomes from the Covid panic, it's that it really revealed that very corrupt system and that corrupt structure to a lot of people and a lot of people," Cortes said.
Cortes is a political commentator and former financial strategist who worked on Donald Trump's presidential campaigns. He founded the League of American Workers in 2022; it conducts research and develops proposals on public policies impacting American workers and the economy.
