President Donald Trump said Thursday he has directed the Department of Justice to investigate whether major meatpacking companies are illegally driving up beef prices, warning that corporate “collusion” may be hurting both consumers and ranchers.In a post on social media, the president said the department must determine whether the industry is engaged in “illicit collusion” to fix or manipulate prices, calling for swift action, The Washington Times reported.
“Action must be taken immediately to protect consumers, combat illegal monopolies, and ensure these corporations are not criminally profiting at the expense of the American people,” Trump wrote. “I am asking the DOJ to act expeditiously.”The order reflects a balancing act for the president, who is under pressure to lower grocery prices while protecting the ranchers and cattle producers who form part of his political base.
The cost of ground beef has surged to a record high of nearly $7 per pound, driven by a mix of depleted cattle herds, drought conditions, and high demand.Trump has proposed expanding beef imports from Argentina to help stabilize prices, but the idea sparked backlash from U.S. ranchers who say the move contradicts his “America First” policy and risks destabilizing the domestic market.On Thursday, Trump shifted his focus to the meatpacking industry itself, accusing large processors of artificially inflating prices.“We will always protect our American Ranchers,” Trump said, “and they are being blamed for what is being done by Majority Foreign Owned Meat Packers, who artificially inflate prices, and jeopardize the security of our Nation’s food supply.
The president’s comments come as four dominant meatpacking giants — Tyson Foods, JBS, Cargill, and National Beef — face renewed scrutiny for their grip on the market. The companies control roughly 81% to 85% of the fed-cattle industry, according to the Coalition for a Prosperous America.That concentration, the group said, allows the firms to “manipulate prices, labeling, and supply to profit at the expense of ranchers and consumers alike.”In recent years, top meatpackers have faced multiple price-fixing lawsuits and agreed to multimillion-dollar settlements while denying wrongdoing. Critics say the high level of consolidation leaves smaller producers and consumers vulnerable to manipulation.
Trump did not cite specific evidence of illegal behavior in his post but suggested there may be “chicanery in the marketplace.”
The Justice Department has yet to comment on the president’s directive or confirm whether an investigation is underway.The move adds another front to Trump’s broader push against what he calls “corporate greed” and “foreign-owned monopolies” — a populist message that has become a recurring theme of his second term.
Industry groups representing meatpackers have denied collusion allegations, saying prices reflect broader supply-and-demand challenges, including drought, feed costs, and workforce shortages.Still, Trump’s call for a DOJ investigation signals his intent to make food prices a political priority heading into an election year, aligning with his promise to “restore fairness” to American markets.
And the Department of Justice has been busy.An anarchist with a lengthy criminal history has been arrested for allegedly putting out a $45,000 bounty on U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi’s life, according to federal authorities.Tyler Maxon Avalos, 29, was taken into custody on Oct. 16 after a tipster alerted the FBI to a TikTok post that allegedly advertised a murder-for-hire plot against Bondi earlier this month, The New York Post reported.Investigators said the post showed a photo of Bondi with a “sniper-scope red dot” on her forehead and a caption that read: “WANTED: Pam Bondi / REWARD: 45,000 DEAD OR ALIVE / (PREFERABLY DEAD).”Underneath the image, Avalos allegedly wrote: “Cough cough. When they don’t serve us, then what?”According to court documents, Avalos used the TikTok handle “Wacko” and displayed an anarchy symbol on his profile, which also linked to “An
As the paramedics wheeled Richard away, Amara sat quietly in her seat, still trying to process what had just happened. The adrenaline that had propelled her into action was now ebbing away, leaving her exhausted and overwhelmed. She barely noticed the curious glances from other passengers or the hushed conversations about the “heroic girl.” Her mind was a whirlwind of emotions, pride mingling with disbelief.
The flight attendants, now disarmed from their initial shock, approached her with gratitude and amazement. “You were incredible, sweetheart,” one of them said, handing her a complimentary snack and a bottle of water. “You really saved that man’s life.” Amara nodded shyly, her cheeks warm under the attention, but inside she felt a deep sense of relief—relief that her instincts had not failed her and that, in some small way, she had honored her mother’s legacy.
As the passengers disembarked, many stopped to thank her, some offering small tokens of appreciation—a granola bar, a bookmark, a pat on the shoulder. Amara accepted them all with a grateful heart, but she was still thinking about Richard and what he had tried to say amidst the chaos.
At the airport, amid the sea of hurried travelers and the cacophony of announcements, Amara was greeted by her aunt, Lila, who enveloped her in a hug that chased away the remnants of her nerves. “I heard what happened on the plane,” her aunt said, her voice a mix of astonishment and pride. “Your mom would have been so proud.”
They were about to leave for Brooklyn when a man in a sharp suit approached them. “Excuse me, miss,” he said, addressing Amara directly. “I’m Mr. Coleman’s assistant. He asked me to find you.” Amara’s heart skipped a beat. She was taken to a quieter area of the airport where Richard lay in a hospital bed, surrounded by medical personnel.
Despite the oxygen mask and IV lines, Richard’s eyes were alert, filled with an unexpected warmth that belied his icy reputation. He gestured for the mask to be removed and beckoned Amara closer. “You saved me, young lady,” he said, his voice hoarse but sincere. “I owe you my life.”
Amara shook her head, her voice barely above a whisper. “I just did what I could.”
Richard smiled, a hint of vulnerability in his expression. “You did more than that. You reminded me of something I’d forgotten—kindness, selflessness, and the value of a human life beyond profit and loss.”
Then he reached into his pocket and handed Amara a small envelope. “Inside are details for a scholarship fund I’m setting up in your mother’s name. It’s the least I can do to honor what you’ve done for me.”
Amara gasped, her eyes welling up with tears. The enormity of his gesture overwhelmed her. It was as if the universe had momentarily aligned to acknowledge her bravery and her mother’s memory in the most profound way. “Thank you,” she murmured, her voice choked with emotion. “I don’t know how to repay you.”
Richard shook his head gently. “You already have, Amara. You already have.”
As Amara walked back to her aunt, clutching the envelope tightly, she realized that life had offered her a new beginning. With each step, the weight of her past lightened, replaced by the promise of a future she could never have imagined. And in that moment, amidst the bustling crowd of the airport, Amara knew she had found her own kind of fortune.