White House withdraws another key nomination with last-minute pivot to MAHA influencer for US surgeon general
Context:
President Donald Trump has withdrawn Dr. Janette Nesheiwat's nomination for US Surgeon General, replacing her with Dr. Casey Means, a proponent of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement. Dr. Means, who is closely associated with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s presidential campaign, is known for advocating holistic health and criticizing the healthcare system's emphasis on medication over nutrition. The nomination was pulled just before Nesheiwat's Senate confirmation hearing, indicating a strategic shift in alignment with MAHA's goals. Dr. Means' appointment is seen as a move to address chronic disease through non-traditional healthcare approaches. Meanwhile, the administration has faced similar last-minute nomination changes, such as the withdrawal of Dr. Dave Weldon for the CDC director position, highlighting ongoing shifts in health policy direction under Trump's administration.
Dive Deeper:
Dr. Janette Nesheiwat's nomination as US Surgeon General was withdrawn by President Donald Trump just before her Senate confirmation hearing, and she was replaced by Dr. Casey Means, known for her holistic approach to medicine.
Dr. Casey Means, a Stanford Medical School dropout, has gained prominence through the Make America Healthy Again movement, which aligns with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s presidential campaign and advocates for a shift away from medication-centric healthcare.
The decision to nominate Dr. Means reflects an effort to address the chronic disease epidemic in America by focusing on nutrition and holistic health rather than traditional medical practices.
Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, a family physician and former Fox News contributor, had close ties to the Trump administration through her brother-in-law, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, who has been nominated as UN ambassador.
This nomination change follows a pattern within the Trump administration, as seen with the withdrawal of Dr. Dave Weldon's CDC director nomination, due to his controversial vaccine skepticism.
Dr. Means, alongside her brother Calley Means, has been vocal at MAHA events, criticizing the prioritization of financial incentives over effective health solutions, which she believes is a core issue in the current healthcare system.
The role of the Surgeon General, often referred to as 'the nation's doctor,' involves advising the public on health issues and leading the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, a group tasked with promoting national health.