President Donald Trump has chosen Dr. Casey Means to be his nominee for surgeon general. Dr. Means is a doctor who became a wellness influencer and is closely connected to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. This decision comes after Trump withdrew his first choice for this important health job.

In a social media post on Wednesday, Trump said that Means has excellent 'MAHA' credentials, which refers to the "Make America Healthy Again" slogan. He also said that she will work to get rid of chronic diseases and make Americans healthier and improve their well-being.

Trump said, "Her academic achievements and her life's work are truly outstanding." He added, "Dr. Casey Means could be one of the best Surgeon Generals in United States History."

This action led Trump to withdraw Janette Nesheiwat, formerly a medical contributor for Fox News, from consideration for the position. This marked at least the second health-related nominee chosen by Trump to be removed from Senate review. Nesheiwat's confirmation hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee had been planned for Thursday.

Means and her brother, former lobbyist Calley Means, were important advisors in Kennedy's unlikely 2024 presidential campaign and helped him endorse Trump last summer. The two appeared with some of Trump's biggest supporters, getting praise from conservative commentator Tucker Carlson and podcaster Joe Rogan. Calley Means is currently a White House advisor who often appears on television to support limits on SNAP benefits, taking fluoride out of drinking water, and other parts of the MAHA plan.

Devoid of prior governmental roles, Casey Means exited her surgical residency, citing disillusionment with conventional medical practices. Subsequently, she established Levels, a health technology firm facilitating users in monitoring blood sugar and other key physiological indicators. Additionally, she generates revenue through social media endorsements of dietary supplements, topical creams, teas, and a range of other commodities.

In interviews and articles, Means and her brother say that many things are causing the nation's health problems. They mention dishonest food companies that have made Americans addicted to unhealthy food, which means people need daily medicine from drug companies to control problems like obesity, diabetes, and other long-term illnesses.

While most health professionals would acknowledge the American diet, laden with processed foods, contributes to obesity and associated issues, Means extends this argument by connecting dietary and lifestyle shifts to a host of ailments like infertility, Alzheimer’s, depression, and erectile dysfunction.

“Almost every enduring health issue that conventional medicine tackles is a consequence of our cells being overwhelmed by our modern way of life,” Means asserted in a 2024 book co-authored with her brother.

Means has largely avoided associating herself with Kennedy’s contentious and discredited opinions regarding vaccines. However, on her website, she has advocated for further examination into their safety and suggests simplifying the legal process for patients to pursue action against pharmaceutical manufacturers in cases of adverse reactions to vaccines. Since the late 1980s, federal legislation has provided protection to these companies against legal accountability to foster vaccine development, free from the concern of expensive personal injury litigation.

Although her initial training was as a surgeon at Stanford University, she has gained considerable online traction by challenging conventional medical practices and advocating for natural nutrition and lifestyle modifications to address obesity, diabetes, and various other chronic conditions.

If confirmed as surgeon general, Means would be responsible for helping to promote Kennedy’s big MAHA plan. This plan asks for removing many additives and chemicals from U.S. foods, getting rid of conflicts of interest at federal agencies, and encouraging healthier foods in school lunches and other food programs.

Nesheiwat, initially chosen by Trump, is a medical director for a New York urgent care firm and has frequently featured on Fox News to provide medical knowledge and perspectives.

However, she had recently faced criticism from Laura Loomer, a prominent far-right associate of Trump who was significantly involved in removing several members of the president's National Security Council. Loomer had asserted on X earlier this week that appointing a surgeon general who was a "pro-COVID vaccine nepo appointee," "currently involved in a medical malpractice lawsuit," and "didn't attend medical school in the US" was unacceptable.

Last month, journalist Anthony Clark reported that Nesheiwat got her medical degree from the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine in St. Maarten, even though she said she had a degree from the University of Arkansas School of Medicine. The White House stopped Nesheiwat's nomination because they were unsure if she would be confirmed, according to someone who knows about the situation but did not want to be named to explain why the administration made this decision.

Nesheiwat stated on social media on Wednesday that he was eager to maintain his support for President Trump and collaborate closely with Secretary Kennedy in a high-level policy position to enhance the nation's health. He added that his commitment to advancing the health and welfare of all Americans remains unwavering.

The surgeon general, who is like the nation's main doctor, is in charge of 6,000 members of the U.S. Public Health Service Corps. They can also give official warnings about dangers to public health.

In March, the White House withdrew the nomination of former Florida Republican Representative Dave Weldon to head the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. His reservations about vaccines had generated apprehension among influential Republican senators, and he rescinded his candidacy after the White House informed him he lacked sufficient endorsement for confirmation.