The White House announced Wednesday that President Donald Trump is pulling Dr. Janette Nesheiwat’s nomination to be surgeon general and replacing her with Dr. Casey Means. The news came the day before Nesheiwat’s Senate confirmation hearing was set to begin. “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 said in a post on Truth Social. “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! Secretary Kennedy looks forward to working with Dr. Janette Nesheiwat in another capacity at HHS.’ “ The surgeon general, known as “the nation’s doctor,” is a physician who focuses on educating and advising Americans on how to improve their health, by issuing advisories, reports and calls to action to offer the best available scientific information on crucial issues. The surgeon general also serves in the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, overseeing this group of uniformed officers who seek to promote the nation’s health. Nesheiwat, a New York family physician and former Fox News medical contributor, was scheduled to have a hearing with senators Thursday. She is also the sister-in-law of National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, who had been on shaky ground within the administration after he inadvertently added a journalist to a messaging app group chat about highly sensitive military strikes. Trump recently nominated Waltz to serve as UN ambassador. Means is a holistic medicine doctor whose prominence rose with the Make America Healthy Again movement and its ties to Kennedy’s presidential campaign. Both Means and her brother, White House health adviser Calley Means, have made frequent public appearances at MAHA events and on podcasts, arguing that Americans are sick with chronic disease because the health care system and federal agencies are prioritizing medication and financial incentives over nutrition and holistic health. Means went to Stanford Medical School but has told the story of dropping out of her residency at age 30 when she became disillusioned with the health care system. “I’m trying to understand, why don’t I feel right about my work?” she said on the Joe Rogan podcast last year. “I just started looking at the data in a different way, and I started to look at what was happening with health trends.” In March, the White House withdrew its nomination of Dr. Dave Weldon to direct the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention less than an hour before his hearing with the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. Before the abrupt withdrawal, White House officials had privately voiced concerns about Weldon’s comments expressing skepticism about vaccines. Dr. Susan Monarez was later nominated to lead the agency. Correction: A previous version of this report misstated when the announcement was made.
White House withdraws another key nomination with last-minute pivot to MAHA influencer for US surgeon general
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Trump Withdraws Dr. Nesheiwat's Nomination, Appoints Dr. Casey Means as Surgeon General"
CNN
7.4
TruthLens AI Summary
On Wednesday, the White House announced that President Donald Trump has withdrawn Dr. Janette Nesheiwat’s nomination for the position of U.S. surgeon general, replacing her with Dr. Casey Means. This decision came just one day before Nesheiwat's scheduled Senate confirmation hearing. In a post on Truth Social, Trump highlighted Dr. Means' impressive 'MAHA' credentials and expressed confidence in her ability to work alongside Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., to implement the administration's health agenda aimed at combating the chronic disease epidemic affecting Americans. Trump praised Means' academic achievements and her potential to make a significant impact as surgeon general, a role that involves educating the public on health issues and overseeing the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. Meanwhile, Nesheiwat, a family physician with previous experience as a medical contributor for Fox News, was not only set to appear before the Senate but is also related to National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, who has faced scrutiny within the administration for previous missteps.
Dr. Casey Means, known for her holistic approach to medicine, has gained visibility through her involvement with the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, closely linked to Kennedy's presidential campaign. Along with her brother, White House health adviser Calley Means, she has actively participated in public discussions about the health care system, advocating for a shift from medication-focused solutions to those emphasizing nutrition and holistic health practices. Means, a Stanford Medical School graduate, famously left her residency at age 30 due to disillusionment with traditional medical practices. Her perspective on health trends and the data surrounding chronic diseases reflects a growing concern about the healthcare system's direction. This change in surgeon general nominations follows a pattern of abrupt withdrawals by the White House, including the recent retraction of Dr. Dave Weldon’s nomination to lead the CDC shortly before his Senate hearing, indicating a potentially turbulent environment for health-related appointments in the current administration.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article reports on a significant shift in the nomination process for the role of the U.S. Surgeon General, indicating a strategic decision by the White House. The withdrawal of Dr. Janette Nesheiwat's nomination just before her Senate confirmation hearing in favor of Dr. Casey Means raises questions about the underlying motivations and implications of this last-minute change.
Strategic Shift in Nomination
The abrupt withdrawal of Nesheiwat’s nomination suggests potential political maneuvering. The timing—right before a crucial confirmation hearing—indicates that there may have been concerns regarding Nesheiwat’s suitability or alignment with the administration's agenda. Dr. Casey Means, presented as a candidate with "impeccable 'MAHA' credentials," aligns closely with the health initiatives associated with the Make America Healthy Again movement, which may resonate more with the current political climate and objectives.
Public Perception and Messaging
The announcement serves to frame Dr. Means as a forward-thinking choice, emphasizing her qualifications and the administration's commitment to addressing the chronic disease epidemic. This messaging aims to cultivate a positive public perception of the new nominee while distancing from the previous candidate. By highlighting Means' achievements and her partnership with Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the administration is likely seeking to rally support from health-focused communities and those aligned with Kennedy's presidential campaign.
Potential Omissions and Underlying Issues
The article does not delve deeply into the implications of Nesheiwat’s withdrawal, particularly regarding her relationship with National Security Adviser Mike Waltz. This connection raises questions about potential conflicts of interest or administrative discord that could be relevant to the decision. There may be an attempt to downplay internal controversies, focusing instead on the new nominee's positive attributes.
Manipulative Elements
There are elements of manipulation in the framing of Dr. Means as an exceptional candidate, which may serve to distract from the sudden change in leadership. The emphasis on her credentials and the positive language used could be seen as an effort to shift the narrative in favor of the administration's health agenda while sidelining any criticisms or concerns regarding the previous nominee.
Context within Broader Political Landscape
Comparatively, this news fits into a broader context of political maneuvering within the Trump administration, especially regarding health policy and public perception. It highlights a trend where nominees are selected not only for their qualifications but also for their alignment with specific political movements and public sentiments, particularly in an election year.
Societal and Economic Implications
The changes in leadership within health positions can have a ripple effect on public health policies and the response to health crises. The appointment of a Surgeon General deeply aligned with a specific agenda may influence funding, public health initiatives, and the overall direction of health policy in the U.S., which can have economic implications as well.
Targeted Support and Community Appeal
This news is likely to resonate more with communities engaged in health advocacy, particularly those supportive of holistic and integrative health approaches. The focus on "MAHA" credentials indicates an attempt to appeal to a segment of the population that prioritizes alternative health practices.
Market Reactions and Financial Impact
While the immediate market implications of this news may be limited, sectors linked to health, wellness, and public health initiatives could see shifts based on the new direction of health policy. Companies aligned with holistic health practices may benefit from the appointment of a Surgeon General who advocates for such approaches.
Geopolitical Considerations
The news does not appear to have direct implications for global power dynamics, but it reflects the internal political climate of the U.S. as it prepares for upcoming elections and health policy initiatives. The appointment of a Surgeon General can influence international perceptions of U.S. health leadership.
Potential AI Influence
There is no clear indication that artificial intelligence influenced the writing of this article. However, any automated tools used in drafting might have shaped the tone or structure to fit the narrative being pushed.
Overall, the article presents a situation that is layered with political strategy, community targeting, and public perception management, suggesting that the motivations behind the nomination shift are multi-faceted and aimed at consolidating support for the administration.