The “Make America Great Again” movement says it’s all about stopping corruption and “draining the swamp.” But some Republican governors are pursuing their own “swampy” crony capitalism — just MAGA-branded, this time.
They’re shamelessly setting aside all that pesky past rhetoric about free-market capitalism and limited government to pass sweeping state-level bans on lab-grown meat products, which are made via new technology where meat is grown in labs and no animals are slaughtered. Republican Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte is the latest governor to sign such a ban on this agricultural innovation. The legislation he just signed not only threatens the license of any retail business that sells these products, but also threatens their owners with jail time and fines.
“If you’ve ever had the pleasure of enjoying a cut of Montana beef, you know there is no substitute,” Gianforte said. “By signing House Bill 401 into law, I am proud to defend our way of life and the hardworking Montana ranchers who produce the best beef in the world.”
So-called “lab-grown meat” has no place in Montana.
By signing HB 401 into law, I am proud to defend our way of life and the hardworking Montana ranchers who produce the best beef in the world. pic.twitter.com/INc2WuAvNI— Governor Greg Gianforte (@GovGianforte) May 13, 2025
Everything about this is absurd, contradictory, and corrupt.
