President Trump's nomination of Dr. Casey Means as Surgeon General has sparked significant controversy within the MAGA movement and the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) alliance. Critics, including Nicole Shanahan, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s former running mate, and Laura Loomer, a right-wing activist, question Means' qualifications and allege a lack of proper vetting.
Concerns center around Means' lack of a current medical license, unconventional medical practices, and her departure from her surgical residency. Her promotion of alternative healing methods and previous appearances on Tucker Carlson's show have also fueled criticism. The situation highlights a rift within the MAHA movement, with some members questioning the appointment's integrity.
While supporters like Megyn Kelly and Charlie Kirk praise the choice, others express deep concern. Critics, including Toby Rogers from the Brownstone Institute, allege Means' nomination is a way to downplay concerns regarding vaccinations. Shanahan expresses suspicion that Kennedy's decisions are influenced by an unnamed party, not Trump himself. Loomer intends to send further negative information about Means to President Trump.
The conflict also reflects existing tensions within the Trump administration and MAGA, including the suspicion surrounding Kennedy's evolving positions on health policy and the influence of key figures on the far-right, like Loomer.