President Trump has withdrawn his nomination of Dr. Janette Nesheiwat for surgeon general just a day before she was scheduled to appear before the Senate for her confirmation hearing. Instead, he announced a new pick who, in his words, embodies the ideals of his “Make America Healthy Again” initiative.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump shared the news: “I am pleased to announce that Dr. Casey Means, will be nominated as our next Surgeon General of the United States of America,” he wrote. While Nesheiwat will reportedly still take a role within the Department of Health and Human Services, that role has not yet been defined.
Trump praised his new nominee, saying, “Casey has impeccable ‘[Make America Healthy Again]’ 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.”
He continued his endorsement with a glowing assessment of Means’ record: “Her academic achievements, together with her life’s work, are absolutely outstanding. Dr. Casey Means has the potential to be one of the finest Surgeon Generals in United States History. Congratulations to Casey!”
Nesheiwat, whose family ties to political figures include her sister being married to Mike Waltz, recently removed as national security adviser, was redirected from the surgeon general slot just as she was preparing for her Senate hearings.
According to insiders close to the Trump team, backlash from supporters significantly influenced the decision. Critics within the MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) movement were reportedly opposed to Nesheiwat’s previous stances on COVID-related precautions, particularly her recommendation to wear two masks, which she voiced in op-eds for Fox News.
One source explained, “All the MAHA people, all the anti-COVID [vaccine] people, all the frontline doctors opposed [to] her from the start.” Another insider added, “A poor showing on Fox News” further damaged her standing.
“She’s Waltz’s sister in law so [I] feel that that ultimately didn’t help,” one Trump-world source said. “And Casey is very MAHA and has a high level of credibility.” Another added, “Everyone hated her… Casey Means being so close to RFK means no one can oppose [her].”
The appointment of Means appears to further cement Kennedy’s influence over HHS appointments. Her brother, Calley Means, already serves within the agency as a special government employee, making the siblings a notable team within the administration.
The Means siblings co-authored Good Energy, a 2024 book championing health reform. The work was widely praised in MAHA circles and endorsed by figures like Tucker Carlson.
Calley Means has publicly stated, in an interview with Carlson, that he played a pivotal role in connecting Kennedy with Trump following the attempt on Trump’s life during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, last summer.
Donald Trump Jr. voiced strong support for the choice on social media, writing that Casey Means is an “excellent pick” and “huge for MAHA!!!”
Previously, Trump had spoken highly of Nesheiwat. In a video message from August 2023 shared by her sister, Julia Nesheiwat, he told her, “You do a fantastic job letting us know what’s happening with health.”
At the time of her original nomination, Trump lauded her frontline work during the pandemic, especially in New York, stating she “helped patients in the aftermath of President Donald Trump’s Historic Operation Warp Speed that saved hundreds of millions of lives.”
Nesheiwat had been scheduled to begin her confirmation hearings before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on Thursday.
{Matzav.com}