Health and Human Services (HHS) Director Robert F. Kennedy Jr. issued a strong defense of President Trump’s candidate for surgeon general, Casey Means, on Thursday.
Kennedy took to Social Platform X to criticize those targeting Means, including notable conservative voices like Laura Rumer, who labeled her as “honestly crazy” and implied that Trump lacks autonomy in his decisions.
“The ridiculous attack on Casey highlights just how rough our healthcare discussions have become and the stronghold that entrenched interests, such as big food and industry-backed social media influencers, have,” Kennedy remarked.
He underscored Means’ qualifications, pointing out her role as president of Stanford University’s undergraduate classes and her strong performance at Stanford’s School of Medicine, noting her courage in leaving a surgery residency.
“Casey’s decision to step away from traditional healthcare reflects her commitment to pushing for reform, guiding many physicians to shift from illness management to a healthcare model that benefits everyone, filled with corporate financial resources,” Kennedy stated.
Casey Means is the sister of Carrie Means, a special government employee at HHS and a close supporter of Kennedy. They are both known advocates for Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy” (Maha) initiative, even co-authoring a book that he claims played a key role in launching the movement.
Kennedy mentioned that he hopes to inspire Americans to “rethink our healthcare system,” viewing it as a serious threat to the current system that profits from illness.
Kennedy vowed to stand by Means against her detractors, proclaiming, “She is destined to be the best surgeon general in American history.”
“Maha aims to reform the largest and most influential industry in the country,” Kennedy asserted. “There’s no doubt that these corporations and their media allies will continue to pay bloggers and social media influencers to turn their tactics against both me and President Trump, similar to previous attempts at slander.”
Means has gained recognition on the right for her appearances on popular podcasts such as Tucker Carlson’s and Joe Rogan’s, where she has built a substantial following discussing health and wellness. She and Kennedy share a belief that lifestyle choices and environmental toxins are significant contributors to the obesity epidemic, cancer, and various health issues in the U.S.
Like many of Kennedy’s supporters, she holds a skeptical view of vaccines, raising concerns about the “cumulative impact” they may have on the American population.
Additionally, she co-founded a health app designed to link with glucose monitors and promotes various health supplements through her online platform.
