President Trump changes his mind on nomination for surgeon general
Dr. Casey Means is Trump's new surgeon general nominee. The president said his initial pick will now work at Health and Human Services.
(This story has been updated with new information)
President Donald Trump is reversing himself on who should be the next U.S. surgeon general, tapping a physician and wellness advocate who is close to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for the role just one day before the scheduled Senate confirmation hearing for his first pick, Dr. Janette Nesheiwat.
In a May 7 post on Truth Social, Trump said Dr. Casey Means, a Stanford-educated physician, had "outstanding" academic credentials while also announcing he was pulling Nesheiwat's nomination.
"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 Truth Social post, referring to the "Make America Healthy Again" slogan.
Trump said Nesheiwat - a Fox News medical contributor and the sister-in-law of former national security adviser Michael Waltz - would instead be working in "another capacity" at the Department of Health and Human Services.
According to a source familiar with the president's decision, Nesheiwat's previous positions on masking, social distancing and her support of COVID 19 vaccines do not mesh well with the MAHA vision.
Waltz came under fire after creating a group on the Signal messaging app with officials including Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and inadvertently adding a journalist to discuss military attack plans on Yemen.
Means is the sister of Calley Means, who works as an advisor to Kennedy. The siblings co-authored the 2024 book “Good Energy: The Surprising Connection Between Metabolism and Limitless Health” and have championed Kennedy's platform and its focus on the causes of chronic diseases. Casey Means is an influencer of public opinion with a large social media following and appearances on popular podcasts of Tucker Carlson and Joe Rogan. On Instagram, for instance, she has more than 720,000 followers.
Nesheiwat has described herself as a double board-certified physician with a degree from the University of Arkansas School of Medicine. Trump mentioned the credentials in his announcement nominating her on Nov. 22.
She earned her medical degree from the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, located in St. Maarten, according to records reviewed by CBS News. The University of Arkansas confirmed to CBS News that while she had completed her residency through its family medicine program in Fayetteville, Arkansas, she did not obtain her medical degree there.
“I am looking forward to continuing to support President Trump and working closely with Secretary Kennedy in a senior policy role to Make America Healthy Again!” Neishewat said in a statement. “My focus continues to be on improving the health and well-being of all Americans, and that mission hasn’t changed.”
Conservative influencer Laura Loomer pointed out in an X post on May 4 that Nesheiwat has been entangled in medical malpractice litigation since November 2021.
Loomer also criticized Nesheiwat’s “promotion of DEI-focused initiatives implemented through City M.D.” and her support for the COVID 19 vaccine.
“Her advocacy for the China Virus ‘vaccine’ as recently as November 2024 (despite evidence that it causes severe health risks and doesn’t prevent the spread of COVID) render her unfit for the role of United States Surgeon General,” wrote Loomer.