Trump Nominates Dr. Casey Means for Surgeon General Role Focused on Health Reform

President Donald Trump has chosen Dr. Casey Means, a wellness influencer closely aligned with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as his nomination for the position of surgeon general. This decision comes after Trump retracted his initial nominee for the pivotal health role. In a social media announcement on Wednesday, Trump highlighted Means’ “impeccable ‘MAHA’ credentials” — a nod to the “Make America Healthy Again” campaign — praising her commitment to tackling chronic illnesses and enhancing the health of Americans. “Her academic achievements and lifetime dedication are truly remarkable,” Trump remarked. “Dr. Casey Means has the potential to become one of the greatest Surgeon Generals in U.S. history.”

The selection of Means led to the withdrawal of former Fox News medical expert Janette Nesheiwat, who was previously under consideration for the role. This marks at least the second instance where Trump has rescinded a health-related nominee from Senate evaluation. Nesheiwat had been set for a confirmation hearing with the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee on Thursday. Both Means and her brother, ex-lobbyist Calley Means, played pivotal roles in Kennedy’s improbable 2024 presidential campaign, facilitating Kennedy’s endorsement of Trump last summer. They have appeared alongside some of Trump’s most ardent supporters and earned commendation from conservative figures like Tucker Carlson and podcaster Joe Rogan. Calley Means is currently an adviser at the White House, frequently appearing on television to advocate for SNAP benefit restrictions, removal of fluoride from water, and other objectives of the MAHA agenda.

Despite having no prior government experience and stepping away from a surgical residency due to disillusionment with traditional practices, Casey Means founded Levels, a health tech company aimed at helping users monitor blood sugar and other health metrics. She also profits from sponsored dietary supplements, creams, teas, and various products via her social media platforms. In articles and interviews, Means and her brother attribute America’s health crises to a complex network of factors, including influential food corporations promoting unhealthy diets that in turn, lead to dependency on pharmaceuticals for managing chronic issues like obesity and diabetes. While many health experts agree that processed foods contribute to obesity and associated ailments in the U.S., Means argues that poor diet and lifestyle choices also catalyze a myriad of other conditions, such as infertility, Alzheimer’s, depression, and erectile dysfunction. “Nearly every chronic health issue that Western medicine treats stems from lifestyle factors that stress our cells,” Means stated in a 2024 book co-authored with her brother.

However, food experts caution against oversimplifying the notion that all processed foods are detrimental since this includes an estimated 60% of American food products, ranging from granola and peanut butter to potato chips. “Not all processed foods have the same impact,” explained Gabby Headrick, a nutrition scholar at George Washington University’s School of Public Health. “The issue is more nuanced than solely blaming ultra-processed foods for chronic diseases in the U.S.”

Means has largely avoided Kennedy’s contentious and discredited vaccine viewpoints but has advocated for more thorough investigation into vaccine safety on her website. She also suggests easing legal barriers for patients wishing to sue pharmaceutical manufacturers over vaccine injuries. Since the late 1980s, federal law has protected these companies from litigation to foster vaccine development without the threat of financial litigation. Should Means be confirmed as the surgeon general, her duties would include advancing Kennedy’s extensive MAHA agenda, which seeks to eliminate numerous additives and chemicals from American foods, eliminate federal agency conflicts of interest, and promote healthier school meals and other nutritional initiatives.