Trump Slammed by Medical Community After Nominating Wellness Influencer Without Active License as Surgeon General

 

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the medical and political worlds alike, former President Donald Trump has announced his intention to nominate Dr. Casey Means—a wellness influencer with a large online following but no active medical license—as the next U.S. Surgeon General. The decision has sparked intense backlash from public health experts, mainstream physicians, and former officials who warn the nomination represents a dangerous step backward for science-based leadership in public health.

From Operating Room to Instagram Fame

Dr. Casey Means, once a trained ear, nose, and throat surgeon, left clinical medicine in 2018 and transitioned into the health tech and wellness industries. She gained prominence as a co-founder of Levels Health, a startup offering metabolic tracking through continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices aimed primarily at healthy individuals rather than diabetic patients.

Since stepping away from traditional medicine, Dr. Means has embraced a holistic, lifestyle-based health philosophy that focuses on diet, exercise, and metabolic flexibility. She regularly promotes intermittent fasting, low-carbohydrate eating, and “biohacking” techniques to her nearly one million Instagram followers.

Despite her background in medicine, her California medical license has been inactive since early 2024, a fact that has become central to the controversy over her potential appointment.

Medical Experts React with Alarm

Shortly after the announcement, Dr. Jonathan Reiner, a prominent cardiologist and professor at George Washington University, took to X (formerly Twitter) to express disbelief.

“We’re talking about the nation’s top doctor—our public health spokesperson during crises—and we’re handing that role to someone who hasn’t practiced medicine in years and doesn’t even hold an active license?” Reiner wrote. “This isn’t just reckless. It’s absurd.”

The American Medical Association (AMA) also issued a rare statement of opposition, noting that the role of Surgeon General requires both clinical experience and an unwavering commitment to evidence-based medicine.

“Dr. Means’ contributions to wellness and health awareness are noted,” the AMA said. “However, her lack of clinical practice and current licensure undermines the credibility of the office she is being nominated to hold.”

Trump’s Support and Political Strategy

Trump, currently the Republican presidential nominee for 2024, defended his pick at a campaign rally in Iowa, calling Means “a visionary” and “someone who actually understands how to make America healthy again.”

“We don’t need more pharma puppets in Washington,” Trump said to a cheering crowd. “We need someone who understands real health—not just pills and shots.”

The appointment appears to be in line with Trump’s broader campaign messaging, which often leans into anti-establishment and anti-expert sentiment. He has frequently criticized the CDC and Dr. Anthony Fauci in past speeches, blaming them for the “overreaction” to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Means, in turn, has echoed those views in her own writings and podcast appearances, questioning vaccine mandates, promoting “metabolic health over medicine,” and criticizing the medical establishment for ignoring nutrition and lifestyle.

Critics Warn of Dangerous Precedent

Public health officials are concerned not just about Dr. Means’ credentials, but about what her appointment signifies: a broader erosion of trust in science during a time when misinformation continues to spread rapidly online.

Dr. Leana Wen, former Baltimore health commissioner and CNN medical analyst, warned the nomination could embolden other non-credentialed figures to claim authoritative positions in public discourse.

“It sets a precedent that social media influence and anti-establishment rhetoric can outweigh scientific rigor and medical ethics,” Wen said. “That’s extremely dangerous in a country already battling vaccine hesitancy, obesity, and mental health crises.”

Supporters Applaud “Fresh Perspective”

Not everyone in the medical or wellness fields opposes the nomination. Some argue that traditional medicine has long ignored preventative health and that Dr. Means’ holistic approach could bring a necessary shift to public health messaging.

“Casey Means has helped millions of people rethink their health habits,” said Dr. Mark Hyman, a functional medicine advocate and New York Times bestselling author. “She may not be a practicing doctor today, but she’s influencing more lives than most primary care physicians ever will.”

Additionally, some libertarian-leaning groups have applauded the nomination as a blow against what they view as the “nanny state” approach of recent Surgeon Generals who advocated for stricter public health mandates.

Constitutional but Controversial

Legally, there is no requirement for the U.S. Surgeon General to hold an active medical license, though all who have previously served in the position have done so. The role is as much about communication and policy as it is about medical leadership. However, past holders of the office—such as Drs. Vivek Murthy and Jerome Adams—have had extensive public health and clinical experience, often backed by academic or governmental roles.

“Just because something is legal doesn’t make it responsible,” said Dr. Thomas Inglesby, a public health expert at Johns Hopkins University. “The office of the Surgeon General is supposed to be a source of calm, science-based guidance. That credibility is hard-won and easily lost.”

What Comes Next?

Means’ nomination must be confirmed by the Senate, where it is expected to face significant resistance, especially from Democrats and moderate Republicans concerned about public health integrity. Senate Health Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) has already promised to hold “rigorous hearings” into Means’ record.

As the debate unfolds, one thing is clear: this nomination is not merely about one individual. It is a flashpoint in a larger culture war about science, credibility, and the role of expertise in modern America.

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