Trump taps wellness influencer Casey Means for surgeon general
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The White House is withdrawing the nomination of Janette Nesheiwat to be surgeon general and instead nominating wellness influencer Casey Means, President Trump wrote on social media Wednesday.
Why it matters: The move is the second time the Trump administration has pulled a health nominee, following the withdrawal of Centers for Disease Control director-designate Dave Weldon in March.
- The move also elevates Means, a physician whose brother Calley Means is a White House adviser. Both Means siblings are seen as allies of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Driving the news: Nesheiwat was a Fox News contributor. She had faced questions about her credentials.
- CBS reported in April that she graduated from a medical school in the Caribbean, not the University of Arkansas, as she had claimed.
- Far-right activist Laura Loomer, who has had influence on Trump administration personnel moves before, had also attacked Nesheiwat, calling her "pro-COVID vaccine" and pointing to the credential questions.
What they're saying: "Casey has impeccable 'MAHA' credentials, and will work closely with our wonderful Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., to ensure a successful implementation of our agenda in order to reverse the Chronic Disease Epidemic, and ensure Great Health, in the future, for ALL Americans," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
- He said Nesheiwat would work "in another capacity at HHS."
Nesheiwat was due to have a confirmation hearing before the Senate health committee on Thursday.
- The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
Editor's note: A previous image in this story misidentified an influencer who appeared on Casey Means' Instagram page as Means herself.
