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- President Donald Trump has nominated Dr. Casey Means, a wellness influencer, for the position of U.S. Surgeon General.
- Dr. Means has close ties to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
- This nomination follows the withdrawal of President Trump’s initial pick, Dr. Janette Nesheiwat.
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Essential Context
President Donald Trump announced on May 7, 2025, that he will nominate Dr. Casey Means for the role of U.S. Surgeon General. This decision comes after President Trump withdrew his previous nomination of Dr. Janette Nesheiwat. Dr. Means is a wellness influencer with strong connections to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and is a proponent of the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) agenda.
Core Players
- Dr. Casey Means – Wellness influencer and nominee for U.S. Surgeon General
- Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. – Health and Human Services Secretary and anti-vaccine activist
- Donald Trump – President of the United States
- Calley Means – Dr. Casey Means’ brother, former lobbyist, and current White House adviser
- Dr. Janette Nesheiwat – President Trump’s initial nominee for U.S. Surgeon General
Key Numbers
- 2024: Year Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. was nominated for Health and Human Services Secretary
- 2025: Year Dr. Casey Means was nominated for U.S. Surgeon General
- 85%: Percentage of deaths and healthcare costs in the U.S. attributed to preventable foodborne metabolic conditions, according to Calley Means
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The Catalyst
President Trump’s decision to nominate Dr. Casey Means was announced on May 7, 2025. President Trump praised Dr. Means, stating she has “impeccable ‘MAHA’ credentials” and the potential to be “one of the finest Surgeon Generals in United States History.”
This move follows the withdrawal of Dr. Janette Nesheiwat’s nomination, who was initially set to appear before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee for her confirmation hearing.
Inside Forces
Dr. Casey Means and her brother, Calley Means, have been influential in shaping the health policies of the Trump administration. They served as key advisers to Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s 2024 presidential bid and helped secure his endorsement of President Trump.
Calley Means is currently a White House adviser, advocating for various health-related policies, including restrictions on SNAP benefits and the removal of fluoride from drinking water.
Power Dynamics
The nomination highlights the significant influence of the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement within the Trump administration. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., a central figure in this movement, has called for substantial changes in public health policies, including firing hundreds of people at the National Institutes of Health and loosening restrictions on raw milk consumption.
Dr. Means’ close ties to Kennedy and her advocacy for MAHA policies position her to play a crucial role in implementing these changes.
Outside Impact
The nomination of Dr. Means could have broad implications for public health policies in the U.S. Her focus on chronic disease prevention and metabolic health aligns with the MAHA agenda, which challenges conventional public health approaches.
Stakeholders, including health advocacy groups and medical professionals, are likely to scrutinize her nomination and the potential impact on national health policies.
Future Forces
Looking ahead, Dr. Means’ confirmation hearing will be closely watched. Her nomination is part of a larger shift in health policy under the Trump administration, which may include changes to FDA regulations, agricultural policies, and the promotion of alternative therapies like psychedelic therapy.
The success of her nomination will depend on her ability to navigate the political landscape and gain support from both her allies and critics.
Data Points
- May 7, 2025: Date of Dr. Casey Means’ nomination announcement
- 2024: Year Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. was nominated for Health and Human Services Secretary
- 85%: Percentage of deaths and healthcare costs in the U.S. attributed to preventable foodborne metabolic conditions, according to Calley Means
- MAHA: “Make America Healthy Again” movement, which Dr. Means and her brother are key proponents of
The nomination of Dr. Casey Means as U.S. Surgeon General marks a significant development in the Trump administration’s health policy agenda. As the MAHA movement gains momentum, it is likely to shape the future of public health in the United States, with potential far-reaching implications for chronic disease prevention, metabolic health, and overall healthcare policies.
