Trump Appoints Wellness Influencer Dr. Casey Means as U.S. Surgeon General

In a surprising turn of events, President Trump has appointed Dr. Casey Means, a best-selling author and wellness influencer, as the new U.S. Surgeon General, replacing his initial pick, Dr. Janette Nesheiwat. This decision comes after Nesheiwat withdrew her nomination amid scrutiny over her medical credentials. Trump made the announcement via his social media platform, Truth Social, emphasizing Means' role in collaborating with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to combat America's chronic disease epidemic. Dr. Means, who gained prominence alongside her brother Calley Means for their critiques of the pharmaceutical and food industries, has a controversial background. While she trained at Stanford Medical School and pursued a surgical residency, she left before completion to launch her functional medicine practice and the company Levels, which provides continuous glucose monitoring solutions. Her views on health have raised eyebrows, particularly her concerns regarding vaccines and the FDA, showcasing her alignment with the wellness industry’s often polarizing narratives. Her participation in a roundtable hosted by Senator Ron Johnson further underscores her commitment to promoting an agenda that aligns with the Trump administration's views on health and nutrition. This appointment highlights the growing intersection of wellness trends and government health policy, raising questions about the future direction of public health initiatives under her leadership.