On Wednesday, a day before her expected confirmation hearing before the Senate, President Donald Trump suddenly removed the candidacy of Dr. Janette Nesheiwat as U.S. Surgeon General. The choice followed growing pressure from right-wing activist Laura Loomer, who has grown more and more powerful inside Trump’s inner circle.
Trump chose Dr. Casey Means as his new nominee for the role on Truth Social, where he revealed his choice. “Her academic successes, combined with her daily effort, are just exceptional,’ Trump said. “Dr. Casey Means could be among the best Surgeon Generals in United States history.”
Renowned for her focus on nutrition-based health solutions, Dr. Casey Means co-founded the health tech company Levels and co-authored self-help books endorsing holistic health. Currently acting as a senior adviser at the White House, her brother Calley Means has extensively worked with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in promoting various health programs.
Although Trump openly approved of Dr. Means’ credentials, insiders claim that Laura Loomer’s vociferous protests against Nesheiwat had a major impact on the sudden nomination shift. Prominent right-wing activist Loomer attacked Nesheiwat on her medical credentials and vaccination posture. Loomer also underlined Nesheiwat’s medical degree from the American University of the Caribbean, a foreign medical school, instead than a U.S.-based university like the University of Arkansas.
Loomer also objected to Nesheiwat’s early endorsement of COVID-19 vaccines. Nesheiwat called the vaccination “a gift from God,” in a Fox News opinion post from 2021. She voiced resistance to vaccination requirements for children, however, a year later during an interview on Tucker Carlson’s Fox News program, despite continuous medical studies stressing the vaccine’s effectiveness in averting severe COVID-19 symptoms, hospitalisations, and deaths.
Following Loomer’s public appeals for Trump to rethink her appointment, the conservative reaction to Nesheiwat grew more severe. Trump therefore said that Nesheiwat would stay in a post within the Department of Health and Human Services under the direction of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., instead of serving as the top medical authority for the country.
“My focus remains to be on enhancing the health and well-being of all Americans, and that mission hasn’s altered,’ Nesheiwat said in a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter. She also stressed her thrill to be working with Kennedy to “Make America Healthy Again.”
Not the first dispute involving Loomer, the aftermath of Nesheiwat’s departure is another one. Apparently, the activist has become really powerful in Trump’s advisory group. Loomer has been counselling Trump on personnel choices and pushing him to dismiss particular people, according to ABC News sources previously cited. ‘She makes recommendations of things and people, and occasionally I listen to those ideas, like I do with everybody,’ Trump said, acknowledging her growing involvement in his decision-making process.
Nesheiwat is also Mike Waltz’s sister-in-law, a former national security advisor. Following his alleged involvement in a Signal group chat with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and other national security officials, Trump kicked Waltz off consideration for U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations last week. Reportedly, the group discussion covered delicate military activities and inadvertently included The Atlantic Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg. Loomer also openly called for Waltz’s firing after the incident.
Rapid ascent of Loomer to prominence has generated support as well as worry inside Trump’s political circle. While supporters contend she is only supporting candidates who fit Trump’s “America First” policy goal, others contend her influence over personnel choices runs the danger of further destabilising the government.
Given her links to health tech businesses and focus on nutrition-based medicinal treatments, Dr. Casey Means’s candidacy will probably come under close examination during her confirmation hearings. It remains to be seen whether Means can get enough support from the Senate as Trump tries to validate his public health approach within continuous political disputes.
Get the latest buzz on breaking news, trending stories, and in-depth insights across politics, entertainment, and more. Stay informed and empowered – visit TrendingNewsBuzz.com now for updates you can trust!
