Donald Trump Appoints Influencer Linked to RFK Jr. as New Surgeon General: A Bold Move for Wellness
President Donald Trump has announced the nomination of Dr. Casey Means as his new candidate for U.S. Surgeon General, following the withdrawal of his previous pick, Janette Nesheiwat. In a post on social media, Trump praised Means, referencing her “impeccable ‘MAHA’ credentials,” a nod to the “Make America Healthy Again” initiative. He stated that she intends to address chronic diseases and enhance the overall health of Americans. “Her academic achievements, along with her life’s work, are genuinely impressive,” Trump affirmed. “Dr. Casey Means has the potential to be one of the finest Surgeons General in U.S. history.”
The withdrawal of Nesheiwat marks the latest shift in Trump’s health-related nominations. Formerly a medical contributor for Fox News, she was set to appear before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee for her confirmation hearing. Nesheiwat, known for her vocal support of Trump and her frequent appearances on Fox News, is also related to former national security adviser Mike Waltz, who has been nominated as Trump’s ambassador to the United Nations.
However, Nesheiwat faced criticism from far-right influencer Laura Loomer. Loomer took to X, previously known as Twitter, to express concerns about Nesheiwat being “a pro-COVID vaccine nepo appointee who is currently embroiled in a medical malpractice case.” Loomer pointed out that Nesheiwat did not graduate from an accredited U.S. medical school, a claim that has been verified by independent journalist Anthony Clark, who reported that Nesheiwat obtained her medical degree from the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine in St. Maarten.
The role of Surgeon General is vital, as this position oversees around 6,000 members of the U.S. Public Health Service Corps and has the authority to issue health advisories related to public threats. In a prior instance, the White House withdrew former Florida GOP Rep. Dave Weldon’s nomination to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention over his controversial views on vaccines.
The news of Means’ nomination and Nesheiwat’s withdrawal continues a pattern of scrutiny and shifting dynamics within Trump’s circle of health-related appointments. As the administration navigates these complexities, it highlights the contentious atmosphere surrounding public health leadership amid ongoing debates about health policies and vaccine skepticism.
This development, first reported by Bloomberg News, underscores the challenges facing the Trump administration as it approaches critical health-related issues that affect millions of Americans. The appointment of Dr. Means could signal a new direction in public health approaches if she is confirmed, with Trump touting her potential to make significant changes in improving national health outcomes.
Original Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/world/donald-trump-taps-wellness-influencer-close-to-robert-f-kennedy-jr-for-surgeon-general-9989477/
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Publish Date: 2025-05-08 03:21:00
