HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Defends Surgeon General Nominee Casey Means Amid MAGA Backlash After Trump Drops Nesheiwat

President Donald Trump nominated Dr. Casey Means as U.S. Surgeon General after withdrawing Dr. Janette Nesheiwat's nomination due to concerns over her credentials and opposition from far-right activists. Means, a wellness entrepreneur without an active medical license, faces criticism from the MAGA movement and health experts for her lack of clinical experience. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. defends Means, highlighting her alignment with his 'Make America Healthy Again' agenda. The Senate confirmation process is expected to be contentious, reflecting divisions within conservative health policy circles.

Trump Withdraws Nesheiwat Nomination Amid Credential Scrutiny

Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, a family medicine physician and Fox News contributor, was originally tapped by Trump to serve as Surgeon General shortly after his re-election. However, her nomination unraveled just before her scheduled Senate confirmation hearing. According to reports, the decision to withdraw her nomination stemmed from concerns over her academic credentials and doubts about her ability to secure Senate approval. Independent journalist Tony Clark first reported inconsistencies in how Nesheiwat had presented her medical qualifications, which fueled skepticism among lawmakers and activists alike.

Adding to the pressure was far-right activist Laura Loomer, a vocal Trump ally, who publicly criticized Nesheiwat for her support of COVID-19 vaccines. Loomer’s influence has previously been linked to the ouster of other Trump administration officials, and her opposition to Nesheiwat appeared to play a role in the White House’s decision to pull the nomination. Despite the setback, Trump stated that Nesheiwat would continue to serve in another capacity within the Department of Health and Human Services.

Casey Means: A Controversial Successor

In a swift pivot, Trump nominated Dr. Casey Means, a wellness entrepreneur and author, to replace Nesheiwat. Means, who co-founded a metabolic health company and authored the book Good Energy, has become a prominent figure in the health and wellness space. She is also a vocal supporter of Kennedy’s MAHA initiative, which aims to combat chronic disease and overhaul the U.S. healthcare system.

However, Means’ nomination has drawn immediate scrutiny. Critics have pointed out that she is not a practicing physician, did not complete her residency, and currently holds no active medical license. Her background in alternative health and her public skepticism of vaccine policies have further fueled concerns about her suitability for the role, which traditionally requires significant public health experience and medical credentials.

Former Surgeon General Jerome Adams, who served under Trump during his first term, emphasized the importance of the position, noting that the Surgeon General leads the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and plays a critical role in public health emergencies. “The surgeon general is historically a licensed physician,” Adams wrote, highlighting the contrast between Means and her predecessors.

MAGA Backlash and Internal Divisions

The nomination has also exposed rifts within the broader MAGA and MAHA movements. Nicole Shanahan, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s former running mate during his independent presidential campaign, expressed dismay over Means’ appointment, stating on social media that she had been assured neither Means nor her brother Calley—recently appointed as a White House adviser—would hold positions within HHS.

Laura Loomer, who had previously targeted Nesheiwat, turned her attention to Means, calling her a “terrible pick” and a “MAHA grifter.” Loomer criticized Means for her lack of clinical experience and her writings on spiritual health practices, accusing Kennedy of appointing “Marxists and Trump haters” to key health positions.

Kennedy’s Forceful Defense

In response to the mounting criticism, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. launched a vigorous defense of Means. In a series of posts on X and a Fox News interview, Kennedy praised Means’ academic and professional background, noting that she was president of her undergraduate class at Stanford, excelled in medical school, and was a top performer in her surgical residency before leaving traditional medicine.

“Casey has excelled in every endeavor she has undertaken,” Kennedy wrote. “She had the courage to leave traditional medicine because she realized her patients weren’t getting better.” He attributed the backlash to entrenched interests, including “Big Food and its industry-funded social media gurus,” whom he accused of resisting reform.

Kennedy also emphasized Means’ alignment with the MAHA agenda, which he has championed since being sworn in as Health Secretary. He described her as a “juggernaut against ossified medical conventions” and said she would bring “ethical guidance, wisdom, and gold-standard medical advice” to the role.

Questions Over Qualifications and Confirmation Prospects

Despite Kennedy’s endorsement, Means faces a difficult path to confirmation. Critics from across the political spectrum have questioned her qualifications, with some health experts warning that her lack of clinical experience and active licensure could undermine the credibility of the Surgeon General’s office.

Richard Hanania, president of the Center for the Study of Partisanship and Ideology, wrote that Means “will do serious damage to public health,” while Andrea C. Love, executive director of the American Lyme Disease Foundation, labeled her a “grifter” who lacks basic scientific understanding.

The Senate confirmation process is expected to be contentious, with lawmakers likely to probe Means’ medical background, her views on vaccines, and her role in the MAHA movement. Given the backlash from both MAGA loyalists and mainstream health professionals, her nomination could become one of the most polarizing in the history of the Surgeon General’s office.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Defends Surgeon General Nominee Casey Means Amid MAGA Backlash After Trump Drops Nesheiwat

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