Trump nominates Casey Means as surgeon general amid controversy
- Dr. Casey Means was nominated by President Trump as the new U.S. Surgeon General.
- Her nomination follows the withdrawal of Dr. Janette Nesheiwat due to doubts about her credentials.
- The appointment has sparked debate regarding public health strategies and wellness advocacy.
In the United States, on May 8, 2025, President Donald Trump announced the nomination of Dr. Casey Means as the new U.S. Surgeon General, replacing Dr. Janette Nesheiwat whose nomination had been withdrawn. The abrupt change in nominees came just before Nesheiwat's scheduled confirmation hearing and was prompted by unverified claims regarding her medical credentials. Dr. Means is a prominent advocate for the 'Make America Healthy Again' initiative and has been associated with criticisms of traditional medicine, particularly regarding chronic diseases. This shift marks a significant turn in the health leadership under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has his own controversial stance on public health matters and vaccine skepticism. Despite mixed reactions to Means among political figures and activists, Trump believes she has 'impeccable MAHA credentials' and will be critical in addressing the nation's chronic disease epidemic. Some Republican senators have expressed support for her nomination, while voices from both right and left have raised caution. The landscape of public health in the U.S. continues evolving, with new appointments reflecting deeper ideological divides regarding healthcare solutions and the influence of wellness movements. Dr. Means has also co-authored a book that advocates metabolic health and criticizes pharmaceutical and food industries for their role in chronic illnesses. As she prepares for potential confirmation, public scrutiny surrounding her qualifications and the broader implications of her vision for public health remain contentious topics in American discourse.