Senate postpones hearing for Trump’s surgeon general after she goes into labor Trump administration
The Senate confirmation hearing for Donald Trump’s nominee for Surgeon General, Casey Means, has been postponed after the nominee went into labor with her first child.
Wasael had planned to make history as the first candidate to actually appear before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee due to her pregnancy on Thursday. The hearing was originally scheduled to take place two days later than scheduled, a person familiar with the matter said CNN. It is still unclear when the hearing will be rescheduled.
In a statement shared with The Guardian, Emily Hilliard, press secretary for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), said: “Everyone is happy for Dr. Means and her family. This is one of the few times in life when it is easy to ask for a Senate hearing to be postponed.”
Trump nominated Means last May to serve as Surgeon General of the United States, the president’s second choice for this role, who is often referred to as the “nation’s doctor.” Means, a health influencer and doctor with an inactive medical license, follows the surprise withdrawal of Trump’s front-runner, Dr. Janet Nesheiwat, whose confirmation hearing was canceled amid right-wing criticism and questions about her credentials.
Means, 38, is a Los Angeles-based medical entrepreneur who has risen to prominence in conservative health circles for her criticism of mainstream medicine and her advocacy for improving the country’s food supply.
She is the author of the best-selling book Good Energy and a leading figure in the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement. Her selection highlights the growing influence of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. within the administration.
In a social media post, Trump said Means “has impeccable credentials.”
“Her academic accomplishments, along with her life’s work, are absolutely remarkable,” Trump said. “Dr. Casey Means has the potential to be one of the best surgical generals in the history of the United States.”
When asked about the nomination shortly after it was announced, Trump said: “I don’t know her. I listened to Bobby’s recommendation.”
Through her book, blog, and speaking appearances, Means advocates for holistic health with an emphasis on whole and natural foods, exercise, and reducing prescription pharmaceuticals for chronic diseases.
The Stanford University medical-trained doctor also suggested that psychedelics like psilocybin could be beneficial for mental health, decried the widespread use of pesticides, and warned against long-term use of hormonal contraceptives.
Means and her brother, former lobbyist Callie Means, served as key advisers to Kennedy’s long-running 2024 presidential campaign and helped broker his endorsement of Trump last summer. The duo appeared with some of Trump’s biggest supporters, and received praise from conservative pundit Tucker Carlson and podcast host Joe Rogan.
Callie Means is now a White House adviser who frequently appears on television to promote restrictions on Snap benefits, removing fluoride from drinking water and other Maha agenda items.