Tyson Foods, one of the largest meat packing companies in the United States, is set to close its major beef processing plant in Lexington, Nebraska—a move that has sent ripples through the industry and reignited debate about corporate power, food prices, and the security of America’s food supply. The closure, first reported by The Wall Street Journal and confirmed by multiple outlets, comes at a particularly tense moment: just weeks after former President Donald Trump publicly accused the nation’s top meat processors of colluding to keep beef prices high and called for a federal investigation into their practices.
On November 7, 2025, Trump took to social media to demand that the Department of Justice (DOJ) immediately launch an inquiry into what he described as “illicit collusion, price fixing, and price manipulation” by the so-called Big Four meat packing companies. In a post that quickly gained traction among ranchers and consumers alike, he wrote, “I have asked the DOJ to immediately begin an investigation into the Meat Packing Companies who are driving up the price of Beef through Illicit Collusion, Price Fixing, and Price Manipulation. We will always protect our American Ranchers, 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.”
Trump’s comments came on the heels of a legal settlement in October, when Tyson Foods and Cargill agreed to pay more than $87.5 million to resolve a federal lawsuit. The suit accused the two companies of inflating beef prices by deliberately limiting the supply available to the public—allegations that have long dogged the industry but rarely resulted in such substantial payouts. According to The Wall Street Journal, the settlement marked a significant moment in the ongoing scrutiny of the meat packing sector’s influence over consumer prices.
At the heart of the controversy is the sheer market power wielded by the industry’s largest players. The White House, echoing concerns raised by Trump and others, recently highlighted that the “Big Four” meat packers—JBS (a Brazilian company), Cargill, Tyson Foods, and National Beef—now control a staggering 85% of the U.S. beef processing market. For context, that figure stood at just 36% in 1980. The White House statement underscored, “Two of these companies, including the largest meat packer in the world, are either foreign-owned or have significant foreign ownership and control.”
This consolidation, critics argue, has made it far too easy for a handful of corporations to influence prices, squeeze out smaller competitors, and ultimately pass higher costs on to American families. “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. I am asking the DOJ to act expeditiously. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” Trump posted, amplifying calls for accountability and reform.
For many ranchers and workers in Nebraska and beyond, the closure of Tyson’s Lexington plant is more than just a business decision—it’s a blow to local economies and a potential harbinger of further industry upheaval. The plant has been a major employer in the region, and its shutdown raises questions about job losses, community stability, and the broader health of rural America. While Tyson has not publicly linked the closure to the recent legal settlement or Trump’s accusations, the timing has fueled speculation about the pressures facing the industry as it grapples with legal, political, and public relations challenges.
According to AP and El Balad, these developments are taking place against a backdrop of growing consumer frustration over the price of beef at the grocery store. Many shoppers have noticed that prices remain stubbornly high, even as inflation moderates in other sectors. Industry analysts point to a combination of factors: supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, and, increasingly, the market dominance of the Big Four. The White House’s recent post about the influence of these companies was clear: “The ‘Big Four’ meat packers—JBS (Brazil), Cargill, Tyson Foods, and National Beef—currently dominate 85% of the U.S. beef processing market, up from just 36% in 1980. Two of these companies, including the largest meat packer in the world, are either foreign-owned or have significant foreign ownership and control.”
The legal settlement reached by Tyson and Cargill in October—totaling over $87.5 million—was a direct response to allegations that the companies manipulated beef prices by restricting supply. While neither company admitted wrongdoing as part of the settlement, the case has intensified scrutiny of the industry’s business practices and prompted calls for greater transparency and regulatory oversight. As reported by The Wall Street Journal, the lawsuit’s resolution has not put the issue to rest; if anything, it has emboldened critics who argue that more needs to be done to ensure fair competition and protect consumers.
President Trump’s intervention has added a distinctly political dimension to the debate. By framing the issue as one of national security and American self-reliance, he has tapped into longstanding anxieties about foreign ownership of critical infrastructure and the vulnerability of domestic food systems. “We will always protect our American Ranchers, and they are being blamed for what is being done by Majority Foreign Owned Meat Packers,” Trump claimed, drawing a sharp line between U.S. producers and multinational corporations.
Meanwhile, the Biden administration has echoed some of these concerns, with the White House emphasizing the risks posed by excessive market concentration. The administration’s statements have stressed the need for robust antitrust enforcement and policies that promote competition, innovation, and consumer choice. “The ‘Big Four’ meat packers... currently dominate 85% of the U.S. beef processing market,” the White House noted, warning that this level of control can have far-reaching consequences for prices, supply chains, and food security.
Industry representatives, for their part, have pushed back against accusations of wrongdoing. Tyson Foods has consistently maintained that its business practices are legal and that market forces—rather than collusion or manipulation—are to blame for higher prices. In statements to the press, company officials have pointed to rising input costs, labor challenges, and global demand as key drivers of recent price trends. Still, with federal investigations now looming and public scrutiny at an all-time high, the company faces an uncertain road ahead.
For consumers, the stakes are clear: the price they pay at the checkout counter, the availability of affordable protein, and the resilience of the nation’s food supply. As the DOJ weighs possible action and the industry braces for further change, many are watching closely to see whether this moment marks the beginning of a broader reckoning for America’s meat packing giants—or simply another episode in a long-running saga of corporate power and political controversy.
As Nebraska’s Lexington plant prepares to close its doors, the story of Tyson Foods and the Big Four continues to unfold, reflecting the complex interplay of economics, law, and politics that shapes what ends up on America’s dinner tables.
