Despite Senate confirmation hearings set to begin this week on President Trump’s first surgeon general nominee, Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, he has now replaced her with a new nominee: Dr. Casey Means, an adviser to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. who is well-known in the MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) movement.
“Casey has impeccable ‘MAHA’ credentials, and will work closely with our wonderful Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., to ensure a successful implementation of our Agenda in order to reverse the Chronic Disease Epidemic, and ensure Great Health, in the future, for ALL Americans,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
“Her academic achievements, together with her life’s work, are absolutely outstanding. Dr. Casey Means has the potential to be one of the finest Surgeon Generals in United States History.”
Referencing his first nominee, Trump wrote, “Congratulations to Casey! Secretary Kennedy looks forward to working with Dr. Janette Nesheiwat in another capacity at HHS.”
Nesheiwat recently came under fire for past remarks about the COVID vaccine and DEI initiatives.
CNN notes that both Means and her brother, White House health adviser Calley Means, have made frequent public appearances at MAHA events and on podcasts, arguing that Americans are sick with chronic disease because the health care system and federal agencies are prioritizing medication and financial incentives over nutrition and holistic health.
Ladies and gentlemen, meet President Trump’s new United States Surgeon General nominee, Dr. Casey Means:
“Half of the kids in America are chronically ill.”
“If you’re a doctor who’s not spending any time focusing on that… you are bankrolling on the problem.”
“I can think of… pic.twitter.com/HxfgwoyDfY
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) May 7, 2025