Trump Nominates Dr. Casey Means to Serve as the Next U.S. Surgeon General

President Donald Trump is making a sharp pivot in his public health leadership, nominating health entrepreneur and author Dr. Casey Means to be the next U.S. Surgeon General, replacing his earlier pick, Dr. Janette Nesheiwat.

The nomination, announced on Wednesday, aligns closely with the health agenda of current Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and signals a new chapter in Trump’s approach to national health policy. It was announced via a post on X, formerly Twitter, where Trump praised Means for her ability to “reverse the chronic disease epidemic” plaguing the country.

“Dr. Means has impeccable ‘MAHA’ credentials.”

The surgeon general, often referred to as the “nation’s doctor,” is a key public health figure with the power to influence federal policy and public behaviour.

Dr. Means, 37, is known for her outspoken views on chronic illness and what she describes as the harmful influence of pharmaceutical and food industry giants. A vocal advocate of Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) platform, she has consistently argued that modern medicine too often treats symptoms rather than root causes, keeping patients locked in a cycle of dependency on drugs.

Her nomination was announced alongside a playful jab at Carlson, who previously interviewed Means for his own podcast.

From Stanford to Startup

Dr. Casey Means holds a medical degree from Stanford University, though she left her residency to focus on holistic health and tech-driven wellness. She later co-founded Levels, a company offering continuous glucose monitoring tools, and has also held research positions at institutions such as the National Institutes of Health.

Her work and brand took off further with the 2024 publication of “Good Energy”, a book co-authored with her brother, Calley Means. The book delves into the link between metabolic health and chronic illness, becoming a talking point among prominent conservative media figures like Tucker Carlson and Joe Rogan.

Speaking on Carlson’s podcast, Casey Means said chronic illness in America is “driven by our toxic food system and our toxic environment”, claiming pharmaceutical companies benefit from keeping people sick but alive.

“We are drugged for life,” she said, calling for systemic reform to restore what she sees as proper health.

Trump's post also saw him respond to a question about Nesheiwat, stating that she would be appointed to a different position within the Health Department.

Janette Nesheiwat's confirmation hearing was derailed by questions concerning her medical credentials. While she claimed to have received a degree from the University of Arkansas, CBS News reported that she obtained her M.D. from the American University of the Caribbean.

Though her residency was completed in Arkansas, the degree discrepancy and criticism from far-right commentator Laura Loomer over her "pro-Covid vaccine" stance effectively ended her nomination.

A Political and Cultural Flashpoint

Casey Means' nomination arrives at a moment when public health isn't just a medical concern but a deeply political one.

Her MAHA-aligned worldview, support for RFK Jr., and skepticism toward Big Pharma will likely ignite debate across party lines—especially as the nation continues to navigate the long-term fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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If confirmed, Casey Means would succeed Jerome Adams, who served as Surgeon General during Trump's first term. Her nomination promises to shift the U.S. public health narrative toward a more holistic, anti-establishment path—one that aligns with a growing segment of Americans questioning mainstream medical orthodoxy.