Taylor Farms CEO pressed by lawmaker over cyclospora outbreak and White House ties

The top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee is investigating whether Taylor Farms used its ties to the White House to influence the federal response to a nationwide cyclospora outbreak linked to the company's recalled lettuce. Ranking member Rep. Robert Garcia of California on Monday sent a letter to Taylor Farms CEO Bruce Taylor seeking answers about the lettuce producer's role in the outbreak. Garcia's inquiry adds to the growing scrutiny of Taylor Farms and the federal response. "Taylor Farms donated millions to President Trump, met privately with the White House the night the FDA identified their lettuce as the source of this outbreak and then reportedly tried to distance themselves from this outbreak," Garcia said in a statement to CBS News. He added, "Thousands of Americans became sick. Trust in our public health system is on the line. The American people deserve to know Taylor Farms' full role in this outbreak, and we're demanding answers." In 2025, Taylor Farms contributed $1 million to President Trump's super PAC, MAGA Inc., a Federal Election Commission filing shows. The company last year also contributed more than $1 million to other Republican political action committees. In a statement to CBS News, the White House dismissed Garcia's claims. "Any notion that the White House or Trump administration would ever compromise on the health and safety of the American people is absolutely false," spokesman Kush Desai said. The lawmaker is demanding that Taylor Farms disclose all of its communications about cyclospora to federal agencies since the outbreak began, as well as any communications with the White House since January 21.