The U.S. Secretary of Health doesn’t really think his opinions on health topics should hold much weight. During a recent committee appearance, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his unconventional perspectives on vaccines and his claim that parasites have compromised part of his brain, expressed surprise that lawmakers were inquiring about vaccinations.
“What I say about the vaccine is, well, it’s not really relevant,” he stated when asked if he would vaccinate his child against measles. “I’m not being evasive, but I just don’t believe I’m the right person to give medical advice,” he reiterated, clearly hesitant to provide guidance.
In contrast, I’d actually love to offer some advice myself—it could be beneficial if the U.S. government included a few knowledgeable individuals when it comes to health matters. I mean, isn’t that just a basic expectation? I know it sounds a bit naive, but having people who truly understand medicine involved seems like a good idea, right?
However, looking at some of Donald Trump’s recent appointments, it appears that might be asking too much. Take Dr. Casey Means, for example, appointed as U.S. Surgeon General last week. She has a “Dr.” in front of her name, which sounds promising, but, really, she’s more of an influencer than a medical practitioner. Although she trained as a surgeon at Stanford, she never completed her residency—she claims it was disillusionment with traditional medicine, but some sources suggest it may have been anxiety. Moreover, she doesn’t currently hold an active medical license, which means you won’t find her working at a hospital anytime soon, yet she’s positioned to serve as a “national doctor.”
Trump recently declared himself the perfect candidate to “make America healthy again,” proposing various approaches to issues like processed foods and fluoride in drinking water. Interestingly, she co-authored a piece with her brother, who profits from dietary supplements she promotes online, arguing that “almost every chronic health condition faced by Western medicine stems from our lifestyle.” While there’s some truth to that, it does seem a bit oversimplified. Oh, and her brother happens to be a prominent advisor to Kennedy.
I’ve noticed that many figures in the Trump administration seem to be cut from the same cloth; they largely come from influential families and appear to be navigating through the system based on relationships rather than qualifications.
As you might guess, the idea of Means as Surgeon General hasn’t sat well with everyone. There’s been some internal conflict within the MAGA crowd, with voices criticizing her for not being extreme enough, particularly regarding COVID vaccinations. It seems there’s a faction that desires a Surgeon General willing to outright dismiss COVID as a hoax and ban vaccines altogether.
On the far-right fringe, Laura Rumer, known for her conspiracy theories, has emerged as one of Trump’s most influential unofficial advisers. She’s expressed dissatisfaction with Means, deeming her approach too moderate. According to her, communication with “spirit media” and using “plant medicine” like mushrooms is the way forward—but, funnily enough, she doesn’t possess a valid medical license either.
Rumer might have had a role in pushing for Means’ appointment, which raises questions about what she really thinks. It was Janet Neshwat, a former Fox News medical contributor and related to a former national security adviser, who also got involved in these discussions. Recently, Rumer criticized Neshwat for not attending medical school in the U.S., despite claims that she obtained her degree from Arkansas—though her degree was from a school in Sint Maarten.
Is a confirmation for Means on the horizon? I’m not sure, but if it happens, her replacement might not be any more qualified. The Trump administration has a reputation for sidelining diversity and inclusivity in their appointments. If you’re a woman or a minority and not a Trump supporter, qualifications seem irrelevant; you’re often viewed with suspicion. Ultimately, whether or not Means gets confirmed, the likelihood of someone actually qualified taking on the role appears slim.
