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In a surprise move just days before a scheduled Senate hearing, President Donald Trump has withdrawn his nomination of Dr. Janette Nesheiwat for the post of U.S. Surgeon General and announced a new pick—Dr. Casey Means, a health advocate and entrepreneur aligned with the administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) initiative.
The change, disclosed Wednesday, came after mounting concerns about Nesheiwat’s credentials and public image. Despite the controversy, the White House emphasized that Nesheiwat will remain involved in the administration’s health policy efforts, albeit in a different capacity.
Nesheiwat’s Nomination Withdrawn
Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, a family physician and former Fox News medical contributor, was initially nominated by President Trump to become the nation’s top public health spokesperson. Her confirmation hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee had been scheduled for Thursday.
However, the office of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), the committee’s ranking Democrat, confirmed Wednesday morning that Nesheiwat’s nomination had been formally withdrawn.
While the White House did not initially provide a detailed reason for the move, sources within the administration acknowledged that the decision stemmed from scrutiny over discrepancies in Nesheiwat’s educational background and professional credentials.
According to reports, Nesheiwat’s LinkedIn profile had listed her as having earned a medical degree (M.D.) from the University of Arkansas, when in fact she graduated from the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine in St. Maarten. The University of Arkansas verified that she completed her residency training there but did not receive a degree from the institution.
The first public challenge to her résumé came from independent journalist Anthony Clark via a detailed exposé on Substack. The criticism gained further momentum after conservative activist Laura Loomer posted on X (formerly Twitter) that she opposed Nesheiwat’s nomination, citing her past support for COVID-19 vaccinations during the pandemic—an unpopular stance among some Trump loyalists.
Casey Means: The New Nominee
With Nesheiwat’s nomination withdrawn, President Trump quickly pivoted to name Dr. Casey Means as his new choice for Surgeon General. Means, co-founder of the metabolic health company Levels and a vocal advocate for holistic and preventive health measures, has been praised by conservative health reformers for promoting personal responsibility, nutritional wellness, and medical innovation.
Trump praised Means for embodying the MAHA platform, which mirrors his “America First” economic policies but applied to public health.
“Dr. Means represents a bold new vision for American health—one rooted in empowerment, science, and cutting-edge innovation,” Trump said in a statement. “We are going to Make America Healthy Again, and Dr. Means is the right person to help lead that mission.”
Means is reportedly close to Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was said to have preferred her candidacy over Nesheiwat’s. Her nomination is expected to receive enthusiastic support from the libertarian-leaning and anti-establishment wings of the GOP.
Nesheiwat Remains in the Fold
Despite the setback, Nesheiwat confirmed she will continue to serve in a senior policy role within the Trump administration.
“I am looking forward to continuing to support President Trump and working closely with Secretary Kennedy in a senior policy role to Make America Healthy Again!” she posted on X. “My focus continues to be on improving the health and well-being of all Americans, and that mission hasn’t changed.”
Nesheiwat’s family has deep ties to the Trump administration. Her brother-in-law, Mike Waltz, was recently dismissed as Trump’s National Security Advisor but is now nominated to serve as the next U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.
Trump Approval Ratings Soar Amid Shakeups
The personnel reshuffle comes as Trump enjoys a notable boost in public approval. A new poll conducted by J.L. Partners in collaboration with the Daily Mail shows his approval rating climbing to 53%, a four-point gain from last week’s 49%.
What’s especially significant about the poll results is the breakdown across demographic and partisan lines:
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Voters aged 18–29 gave Trump a surprising 13-point improvement in favorability, building on the 10-point swing seen in this age group during the 2024 election cycle.
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Support among Black voters rose by 17 points in the same period.
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Registered Democrats and Independents reported a 6-point gain in their approval of the president.
This upward trend suggests that Trump’s “America First” messaging, now extended into health and regulatory reform, may be resonating more broadly than in previous terms.
Political analysts suggest that the MAHA initiative, especially when coupled with the credibility of Kennedy and the energetic branding of figures like Dr. Casey Means, may be helping the administration bridge ideological divides on healthcare policy.
Economic Confidence Growing
In addition to higher political approval, Trump is benefiting from growing confidence among employers and small business owners. A recent quarterly survey conducted by RedBalloon and PublicSquare showed a dramatic shift in economic optimism.
According to the survey:
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More than two-thirds of small business owners expect either “slow” or “robust” economic growth in the coming year.
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This marks a sharp turnaround from the previous quarter, when pessimism about inflation and recession dominated the sentiment.
One participant, TaChelle Lawson, founder of FIG Strategy & Consulting, praised Trump’s economic policies.
“I would give President Trump, right now, a pretty solid B+,” she told Fox News Digital. “He came in with a very clear plan, and that was focusing on economics. He’s definitely putting business first, trimming the fat. That’s something that small business owners, business operators understand and respect.”
Lawson did note that the administration’s messaging could use improvement, a view echoed by others who say Trump’s policies often suffer from being poorly communicated or lost in partisan noise.
Conclusion: Strategy Over Scandal?
The decision to withdraw Janette Nesheiwat’s nomination may have been driven by optics and controversy, but the quick substitution with a candidate like Casey Means indicates a broader strategic vision. The Trump administration appears focused on aligning its healthcare agenda with its wider economic and cultural vision—streamlined, populist, and reform-driven.
As Trump’s approval ratings rise and optimism grows among business leaders, the administration is capitalizing on momentum. With public support solidifying, especially among younger and minority voters, Trump’s MAHA initiative could become a defining pillar of his second term.
Fact Check:
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✅ Dr. Janette Nesheiwat’s nomination was formally withdrawn, as confirmed by the Senate HELP Committee.
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✅ She listed the University of Arkansas as her medical school on LinkedIn, despite graduating from the American University of the Caribbean.
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✅ Dr. Casey Means has been nominated as the new pick for U.S. Surgeon General.
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✅ President Trump’s approval rating has increased to 53%, per polling by J.L. Partners/Daily Mail.
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✅ Support among young voters, Black voters, Democrats, and independents has increased, according to the same poll.
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❌ There is no public evidence that Nesheiwat misrepresented her qualifications with intent to deceive, but discrepancies in her résumé were confirmed and influenced the withdrawal.
With the MAHA vision now in clearer focus, and Dr. Means positioned to take a leading role, Trump’s healthcare strategy may be entering its most aggressive—and potentially popular—phase yet.
