The Trump administration continues to cause debate about how the United States is run, and following the divisive appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the US Secretary of Health, another controversial figure could be about to take a major position of power.
This time, President Donald Trump is looking to find a new Surgeon General, with time running out to find a replacement for the acting Rear Admiral Denise Hinton. It looks like 'wellness influencer' Casey Means is the POTUS' top choice, with Trump taking to his Truth Social platform and saying she has "impeccable ‘MAHA’ credentials." Championing the "make America healthy again" slogan, Trump said Means could help eradicate chronic disease and improve the general health and well-being of American citizens.
Trump continued to gush: "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."
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The idea is that Means would 'work closely' with Kennedy 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."
Still, Means' credentials are being called into question, with numerous outlets pointing out she might not be quite qualified for the job. The Independent reports that Means isn’t currently licensed to practise medicine and highlights that while she completed her initial medical education at Stanford University’s medical school, she then dropped out of an ear, nose and throat residency program at the University of Oregon.
Means' potential rise to power comes after Trump removed Dr Janette Nesheiwat from the running. Nesheiwat is a a former Fox News contributor and the sister-in-law of former Trump White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, but when conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer called for her nomination to be pulled due to ties to Waltz and support for COVID-19 vaccinations, it was also suggested that her medical experience didn't match up with what was listed on her LinkedIn.
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The President has now said that Nesheiwat will work in 'another capacity' at the Department of Health and Human Services.
As for Means, she's the sister of Calley Means, who already works as an advisor to Kennedy. The brother and sister duo wrote 2024's Good Energy: The Surprising Connection Between Metabolism and Limitless Health, while Casey Means has amassed a huge social media following after appearing on the likes of Tucker Carlson and Joe Rogan's respective podcasts.
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There are further concerns about her potential appointment as the Surgeon General. Taking to X, immunologist and microbiologist Dr. Andrea Love wrote: "Casey Means is a grifter who dropped out of ENT residency & start a company selling glucose monitors & health all to non-diabetics. She doesn’t know basic science, yet claims she’s a metabolism expert.
"Incomplete ENT residency ≠ expert. Of course she’s up for Surgeon General."
Others have noted Means' familial ties to RFK as being a potential conflict of interest, as well as her role as founder of tech company, Levels, which helps users track blood sugar and other medical metrics. Means also makes money from the likes of dietary supplements and teas that are sponsored via her social media accounts, meaning she continues to cause controversy as Trump's top pick for Surgeon General.