President Donald Trump has withdrawn his nomination of Dr Janette Nesheiwat as the next US Surgeon General following a fierce campaign led by conservative firebrand Laura Loomer. The move, announced just a day before Nesheiwat’s scheduled Senate confirmation hearing, marks a striking example of the growing influence of MAGA-aligned influencers on key administration decisions.
Trump confirmed on Truth Social that Dr Casey Means will replace Nesheiwat as his new choice for Surgeon General, praising Means' "impeccable ‘MAHA’ credentials" and lauding her academic background and dedication to reversing the chronic disease epidemic. “Dr. Casey Means has the potential to be one of the finest Surgeon Generals in United States History,” Trump wrote. He added that Nesheiwat would instead take on a senior role within the Department of Health and Human Services under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The abrupt switch comes after Loomer launched a public campaign against Nesheiwat, questioning her medical credentials and attacking her previous support for COVID-19 vaccines. Loomer criticised Nesheiwat for earning her degree from the American University of the Caribbean, not the University of Arkansas as had been implied, and for being board-certified in family medicine rather than emergency medicine. Loomer also cited a medical malpractice case involving Nesheiwat and accused her of misleading the public about her background.
In 2021, Nesheiwat described COVID-19 vaccines as “a gift from God” in a Fox News op-ed and promoted widespread vaccination. Though she later opposed vaccine mandates for children, Loomer argued that her earlier stance disqualified her from holding a top public health role in a post-pandemic MAGA administration. Loomer framed her opposition as part of a broader ideological struggle within Trump’s movement, declaring it a new “civil war” over loyalty to America First principles.
Nesheiwat responded diplomatically, saying she remains committed to supporting President Trump’s health agenda. “My focus continues to be on improving the health and well-being of all Americans, and that mission hasn’t changed,” she posted on X.
Trump had previously praised Nesheiwat in his November announcement, calling her “a fierce advocate and strong communicator for preventive medicine and public health.” Her frontline experience during the pandemic and frequent media presence had made her a prominent candidate.
Trump confirmed on Truth Social that Dr Casey Means will replace Nesheiwat as his new choice for Surgeon General, praising Means' "impeccable ‘MAHA’ credentials" and lauding her academic background and dedication to reversing the chronic disease epidemic. “Dr. Casey Means has the potential to be one of the finest Surgeon Generals in United States History,” Trump wrote. He added that Nesheiwat would instead take on a senior role within the Department of Health and Human Services under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The abrupt switch comes after Loomer launched a public campaign against Nesheiwat, questioning her medical credentials and attacking her previous support for COVID-19 vaccines. Loomer criticised Nesheiwat for earning her degree from the American University of the Caribbean, not the University of Arkansas as had been implied, and for being board-certified in family medicine rather than emergency medicine. Loomer also cited a medical malpractice case involving Nesheiwat and accused her of misleading the public about her background.
In 2021, Nesheiwat described COVID-19 vaccines as “a gift from God” in a Fox News op-ed and promoted widespread vaccination. Though she later opposed vaccine mandates for children, Loomer argued that her earlier stance disqualified her from holding a top public health role in a post-pandemic MAGA administration. Loomer framed her opposition as part of a broader ideological struggle within Trump’s movement, declaring it a new “civil war” over loyalty to America First principles.
Nesheiwat responded diplomatically, saying she remains committed to supporting President Trump’s health agenda. “My focus continues to be on improving the health and well-being of all Americans, and that mission hasn’t changed,” she posted on X.
Trump had previously praised Nesheiwat in his November announcement, calling her “a fierce advocate and strong communicator for preventive medicine and public health.” Her frontline experience during the pandemic and frequent media presence had made her a prominent candidate.
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