Trump's Surgeon General Faces Heat Over Controversial Autism Comments

• EXPLORE FURTHER: Inside MAHA's covert strategy for an ideal American healthcare system

Specialists have voiced worries regarding the selection of America's newest leading physician due to contentious remarks she has made concerning issues like autism and vaccinations.

President Donald Trump unexpectedly announced Wednesday he substituted his original choice for the position of US Surgeon General Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, alongside Dr. Casey Means, who is a Stanford-educated physician and an advocate for Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr.,

She has voiced several of RFK's more contentious positions, such as the idea that autism might be linked to childhood vaccinations, a notion she recently expressed. Joe Rogan podcast episode.

Physicians informed Means that she is "severely unqualified." She stands out as one of just a few Surgeons General who do not possess an active medical license, and she is uniquely the only one who has failed to complete her entire medical education.

Means has similarly highlighted the advantages of spiritual meditation and energy healing, and he has referred to birth control as a 'disregard for life.'

Nevertheless, her nomination has elicited varied reactions, with certain healthcare professionals endorsing her Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) principles. removing synthetic additives from the food chain As "highlighting" the health hazards associated with ultra-processed foods.

Dr. Michael Ednie, the medical director at Bespoke Concierge in Florida, stated: "Should her previous remarks begin influencing policies, particularly concerning vaccinations or public health guidelines, I would have concerns. It’s crucial to have leaders who foster trust rather than create disputes."

Based on my experience, there's space to question the system, yet one must rely on strong clinical data. I'm uncertain if she consistently adheres to this."

Means has faced criticism for being considered underqualified for the role of surgeon general due to her incomplete residency. Residency is a four-year educational phase that physicians undergo following their completion of medical school.

She pursued training at the University of Oregon to become an otolaryngologist—an ear, nose, and throat specialist—but left just before completing her degree requirements.

Doctors who haven't completed their residency are still considered licensed physicians, yet they typically cannot practice medicine independently unless they have licenses in one of these six states: Missouri, Arizona, Florida, Washington, Arkansas, or Utah.

Means has stated that she halted her training to concentrate on 'root-cause resolution medicine' and engage in functional medicine, which is an alternative medical approach frequently criticized for being pseudoscientific.

She doesn't hold an active medical license in any state at present.

Dr. Ednie stated to this website, "Casey Means did not finish her postgraduate residency training in otolaryngology, holds an inactive medical license, and is legally barred from practicing medicine."

She is a 'wellness' business owner who lacks any formal public health education or qualifications.

'Selecting her as surgeon general will deepen skepticism towards healthcare and diminish reliance on scientifically backed practices.'

A valid license is not a legal prerequisite for becoming Surgeon General, and interestingly, four of the previous appointees also lacked one at the time of their appointment.

So far, there have been 22 surgeons general since the establishment of this role in 1871.

The U.S. Surgeon General serves as the primary voice for public health within the federal administration and is often referred to as 'America's Doctor.'

This position entails providing counsel to the president and the HHS secretary on issues like rising health risks (such as global pandemics or illness outbreaks), smoking, substance abuse, mental well-being, and initiatives aimed at improving public health. These efforts include promoting vaccinations and healthy eating habits.

Dr Tyler B Evans, CEO and co-founder of Wellness and Equity Alliance, told nominating a surgeon general with no active medical license 'undermines the legacy of generations of public health experts who have grounded their work in rigorous science and moved medicine forward for the benefit of all.'

'Appointing a 37-year old media personality with no direct patient care experience to this role diminishes the integrity of the office, disrespects the service of thousands of Commissioned Corps officers, and ultimately shortchanges the American people at a time when strong, evidence based leadership is urgently needed.'

A representative from the White House stated: "More than 77 million Americans overwhelmingly re-elected President Trump to break with our nation's flawed system and reinstate American greatness — which encompasses making America healthy again."

'Dr. Casey Means has the ideal balance of elite credentials without the baggage of being beholden to a corrupt healthcare system that has profited from America’s chronic disease epidemic.

Dr. Means will be an essential resource for President Trump’s initiative to 'Make America Healthy Again' serving as our upcoming Surgeon General.

Similar to her supporter Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Means also harbors doubts about vaccines.

Earlier this year, the CDC, operating under Kennedy's jurisdiction, announced plans To investigate whether vaccines such as the MMR shot for measles might lead to autism, even though over two decades of studies have refuted this notion.

While Means has not explicitly blamed any one vaccine, she said on a October episode of The Joe Rogan Experience: 'I bet that one vaccine isn't causing autism, but what about the 20 that [children are] getting before 18 months?'

Dr. Michael Aziz, who works as an attending physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, stated that there is no proof linking vaccines to autism, and that the medical community as a whole has dismissed this notion.

Dr. Aziz stated to this website, "Although her stance on numerous healthcare matters holds validity, unconventional viewpoints may pose risks. Incorrect perspectives devoid of scientific backing could cause parents to refrain from vaccinating their children, thus jeopardizing the well-being of their offspring."

Means has also called vaccine mandates 'criminal' and expressed concerns about the safety of the Covid mRNA vaccines.

In a posting on X, she stated: 'People are never compelled or coerced into using experimental medications, vaccines, or substances that lack any long-term safety data or information about their effects from repeated use.'

Dr. Barbara Sparacino, an adult and geriatric psychiatrist based in Florida, stated: "Given that vaccine confidence is particularly shaky in this nation, especially after the politicization of COVID-19, the surgeon general needs to serve as a resolute and unwavering advocate for scientific facts."

This involves protecting the substantial amount of proof indicating that vaccines are secure, efficacious, and crucial for community well-being—rather than doubting their validity due to personal stories or beliefs.

On the opposite side, Dave Asprey, a biotechnology entrepreneur and author of 'Heavy Medicine,' commended Means for his critical perspective.

He stated: "Dr. Means is delving deeper into examining the surrounding environment that encompasses our nutrition and additional immune system interactions."

Means has also come under fire for her work as a wellness influencer, which has involved promoting energy healing, meditation shrines and tools like continuous glucose monitors for non-diabetics.

Dr Sparacino said: 'Her platform is not built solely on sound public health messaging. Dr Means has promoted expensive biohacking tools, wellness trackers, and proprietary supplements—many of which are sold through companies she co-founded or advises.

'This includes continuous glucose monitors marketed to the general population without diabetes, as well as high-end supplements and specialty foods that are often far out of reach for everyday Americans.

Although these tools might be advantageous for a specific wellness community, they could potentially propagate an unsettling idea: that good health is exclusively accessible to those who are affluent, technologically adept, and already in decent shape. This perspective doesn’t align with true public health; rather, it’s purely promotional.

Physicians, nonetheless, commended Means for consistently highlighting the increasing health issues related to ultra-processed foods, noting that these products comprise 70 percent of the American food market.

Last week, a study estimated ultraprocessed foods directly contribute to 120,000 premature deaths every year .

Research released on Wednesday indicated that ultra-processed foods might harm brain cells and result in early symptoms of Parkinson's disease .

Means stated at a Senate roundtable discussion earlier this year: "The state of American health is deteriorating rapidly. Should present tendencies persist and the trends follow their current trajectory, we could experience severe social unrest and diminished U.S. global standing at minimum. At worst, however, we might witness a catastrophic public health disaster approaching genocide levels."

Means has expressed backing for providing healthier meals in public schools and removing artificial colors and additives from the food supply, similar to what RFK Jr. advocates.

Dr. Ednie remarked, "I have to acknowledge her; she has drawn focus to the effects of diet and living habits in a manner that many physicians do not."

Moreover, Dr Sparacino highlighted that he has 'enhanced the dialogue surrounding how ultra-processed foods lead to issues like obesity, diabetes, and heart diseases, particularly within neighborhoods where there’s restricted availability of inexpensive, healthy options.

'This is not controversial—it’s science. We need more leadership in this area, not less,' she added.

However, Dr Evans believes if Means is appointed, it will 'further erode the already fragile confidence Americans have in our public health and medical institutions.

He said: 'By elevating figures who promote pseudoscience over those with real-world clinical expertise and public service, both RFK Jr. and Donald Trump are actively undermining the foundations of evidence-based health care that Americans have long depended on and taken pride in.

'This is not leadership. It is a betrayal of the very principles that define responsible governance and public trust.'

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