Trump’s pick for U.S. Surgeon General does not have a medical license

Donald Trump recently sprang a surprise when he withdrew the nomination of Janette Nesheiwat, former Fox News medical contributor and sister-in-law of ex-national security advisor Mike Waltz, who was tipped to become chief medical officer. She was reportedly passed over after Trump discovered she had criticized the January 6 rioters and promoted the COVID vaccine, before being quickly replaced by a health influencer.

Casey Means, President Trump’s new pick for U.S. surgeon general faces questions about her medical qualifications. And despite RFK Jr’s support, some in the MAHA movement are lobbying against her.

— NPR (@npr.org) 2025-05-09T16:20:34.910Z

Means is an RFK Jr. campaign insider and self-proclaimed wellness guru who gave up her surgical residency before turning to a “wellness” influencer.

Donald Trump announced on Truth Social the nomination of Dr. Casey Means, touting her “impeccable MAHA credentials” a reinvented acronym for “Make America Healthy Again” by emphasizing her academic achievements.

Yet, according to PBS, she reportedly left her surgical residency after medical school to open a health technology company and repurpose herself as an Instagram influencer. She then played a key role as an advisor to RFK Jr.’s 2024 presidential campaign, before he threw his support behind Trump.

On Instagram, Means, praised by controversial ex-Fox News host Tucker Carlson, promotes creatine in women, discusses with ChatGPT on the future of health, and highlights a glucose sensor she developed for non-diabetics.

She blames ultra-processed foods for Alzheimer’s and many chronic diseases, while promoting numerous sponsored products and dietary supplements.

According to PBS, Means expressed concerns about vaccines and the childhood vaccination schedule, while accusing the government, and the FDA in particular, of “corruption”.

As Trump has stated, she would be the ideal candidate to collaborate with RFK Jr. on their joint “Make America Healthy Again” agenda.

But as NPR reported, Means does not have a medical license, a fact other physicians have openly criticized, starting with former US Surgeon General (under George W. Bush) Richard Carmona.

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