Trump Nominates 37-Year-Old Dr. Casey Means as Surgeon General Amid Controversy

President Donald Trump has nominated 37-year-old Dr. Casey Means as the new U.S. Surgeon General, replacing his initial pick, Dr. Janette Nesheiwat. Trump admitted that he does not know Means personally but made the nomination based on the recommendation of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Means, who was president of her Stanford undergrad class and a top performer at Stanford Medical School, is expected to work closely with Kennedy to implement the administration's health agenda, focusing on reversing the chronic disease epidemic. The nomination has stirred controversy, with some conservative figures and anti-vaccine activists expressing opposition. Critics have pointed to Means' lack of an active medical license since 2019 and her incomplete surgical residency at Oregon Health and Science University as reasons for concern. Additionally, her views on vaccines, including her belief that vaccine mandates are criminal and her suggestion of a link between childhood vaccines and autism, have been criticized by some within the anti-vaccine community as not being extreme enough. Means is also a proponent of functional medicine and has advocated for raw milk and against hormonal birth control, viewing the suppression of the menstrual cycle as a disrespect of life. Amidst the backlash, Kennedy has defended Means, highlighting her academic achievements and her role in promoting health initiatives. He noted her excellence in every endeavor, from her time at Stanford to her surgical residency. The controversy reflects broader tensions within the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement and the administration's health policies, with Means also known for her holistic approach to medicine, including her belief that the body is a 'radio receiver' to commune with a higher power.