President Donald Trump has nominated Dr. Casey Means as U.S. surgeon general, replacing his earlier pick, Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, whose nomination was withdrawn days before her scheduled confirmation hearing. The decision marks another shift in the administration’s evolving health leadership team, now led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Why was Nesheiwat’s nomination pulled?
Nesheiwat, a former Fox News contributor, was initially set to appear before the Senate on Wednesday, May 8. She withdrew after questions emerged about her past statements and representation of her medical credentials. Trump said Nesheiwat will instead take on another senior role within the Department of Health and Human Services. On X, she confirmed she will continue to support the administration’s health agenda.
Who is Dr. Casey Means?
Means trained at Stanford Medical School and began a surgical residency at Oregon Health & Science University before leaving the program. She later launched a functional medicine practice and co-founded Levels, a company that sells blood glucose monitors and health-tracking apps.
In recent years, she has built a following as a wellness influencer and advocate for dietary reform. Alongside her brother, Calley Means, she co-authored Good Energy, a 2024 book that criticizes the pharmaceutical and processed food industries and promotes metabolic health through diet and lifestyle changes.
How does Means fit into Trump’s health agenda?
Trump praised Means for her “impeccable ‘MAHA’ credentials,” referring to the administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative. He said she would work closely with Kennedy to combat chronic disease and improve the nation’s long-term health outcomes.
Means has voiced skepticism about some aspects of conventional medicine, including the safety of certain vaccines and the influence of federal health agencies. She appeared alongside Kennedy at a 2024 Senate roundtable on nutrition and American health, and her brother now serves as a top advisor to the secretary.
What’s next for the confirmation process?
The White House has not announced a new Senate confirmation hearing date for the surgeon general. If confirmed, she will become a key figure in shaping public health messaging and chronic disease prevention under the Trump administration’s second term.
