Laura Loomer slams Donald Trump surgeon general pick Casey Means as ‘failed doctor'
Far-right activist
Laura Loomer
has launched a fresh attack on Dr
Casey Means
, calling US President
Donald Trump
's surprise nominee for US
surgeon general
a 'failed doctor' unfit for the role.
In a post on X, Loomer questioned the qualifications of the Stanford-educated physician-turned-wellness influencer, accusing her of misleading the public about her credentials and lacking the legal authority to practice medicine.
'You need a license to cut hair in America, but not to be the US surgeon general?' Loomer wrote, while sharing a clip from her podcast Loomer Unleashed featuring Texas-based ENT specialist Dr Mary Talley Bowden.
In the segment, Bowden echoed Loomer's concerns, saying, 'This is an opportunity for the government to help restore trust by sending out a messenger who is credible. And to be credible, you have to be credentialed.'
Operation Sindoor
Amid flare-up hours after thaw, officials say things will settle down with time
Ceasefire on, but pressure stays: Key decisions by India against Pak that still stand
'Will work with India & Pakistan to seek solution on Kashmir': Trump
Bowden noted that Means 'did not complete her training' and 'has not maintained her license,' meaning she 'can't write prescriptions' and lacks essential clinical experience.
As per the New York Times, Dr Casey Means completed four years of surgical residency but left before becoming a board-certified practitioner. She pivoted to 'functional medicine' and launched a
health tech startup
, Levels, while building a prominent online presence.
She is known for promoting 'natural' health interventions, often criticising traditional medicine and pharmaceutical treatments.
Loomer has mocked Means for her unconventional wellness advice, claiming in a separate post that she 'uses shrooms as 'plant medicine' and talks to trees!' and 'doesn't even have an active medical license.'
She accused Robert F Kennedy Jr, Trump's health secretary and Means' longtime ally, of pushing 'quackery disguised as cutting-edge health policy.'
'This is nothing more than quackery… Seems like MAHA has been hijacked,' Loomer said, referring to Trump and Kennedy's 'Make America Healthy Again' initiative.
Trump chose Means after abruptly withdrawing his first nominee, Dr Janette Nesheiwat, who had faced questions about her medical background. Trump said Means had 'impeccable 'MAHA' credentials' and would help 'eradicate chronic disease.'
Kennedy, for his part, has dismissed the backlash as 'absurd,' arguing that Means 'inspires Americans to rethink our health care system.'
Her brother, Calley Means, a White House adviser and former food lobbyist, was quoted by the New York Times as saying that Casey left the medical system because she 'had a clear moral insight that her patients were not getting better.'
Still, critics say her lack of licensure and embrace of fringe therapies are disqualifying.
'Appointing Casey Means... means a surgeon general that will put a fringe practitioner of unproven
functional medicine
in charge,' ethicist Arthur Caplan was quoted as saying by the Times, calling it 'irresponsible.'
While federal law does not require a practising license for the role, major medical groups have remained silent on her nomination. But as Loomer's attacks grow louder, Trump's latest pick for 'America's doctor' is already facing a fierce political and scientific test.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
7 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Brazil Supreme Court orders house arrest of former president Jair Bolsonaro
Brazil's Supreme Court on Monday issued an house arrest order for former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is standing trial for allegedly plotting a coup, in a move that could escalate tensions with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's press representative confirmed the house arrest order and restrictions on using a cell phone.(AP) Justice Alexandre de Moraes said in his decision that the right-wing firebrand did not comply with judicial restraining orders imposed on him last month. Moraes also banned Bolsonaro from receiving visits, with exceptions for lawyers and people authorized by the court, and use of a cell phone either directly or through third parties. The restrictions on Bolsonaro were imposed over allegations that he courted the interference of Trump, who recently tied steep new tariffs on Brazilian goods to what he called a "witch hunt" against Bolsonaro. The former Brazilian leader is facing charges that he conspired with dozens of his allies to overturn his 2022 electoral loss. Bolsonaro's press representative confirmed the house arrest order and restrictions on using a cell phone.
Time of India
37 minutes ago
- Time of India
Sukhbir Badal takes on AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, alleges AAP made underhand deal with Delhi builders
1 2 Bathinda: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Monday alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership had struck a ₹30,000 crore "underhand deal" with Delhi-based builders to hand over 65,000 acres of Punjab land at throwaway prices to fund election campaigns across the country. Addressing a protest outside the Bathinda deputy commissioner's office, Sukhbir called AAP's land-pooling scheme a "land-grabbing scam" and vowed to continue statewide agitation until the plan was scrapped. "We will not allow an inch of land to be acquired under this scheme," he declared. He accused AAP's national convener, Arvind Kejriwal , of shifting base to Punjab unofficially, saying he had taken up residence in Mohali's Markfed office. "Similarly, Manish Sisodia was given a house next to chief minister Bhagwant Mann's in Chandigarh. Delhi politicians have taken control of Punjab's governance," Sukhbir claimed. Criticising the state's land acquisition process, Badal targeted a five-member committee chaired by the chief secretary, which he claimed was dominated by non-Punjabis. He urged the chief secretary not to support what he described as an "illegal" acquisition process that bypasses the 2013 central land acquisition law in favour of Punjab's older 1995 legislation — one he says is unfair to farmers. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Sukhbir questioned the practicality of the govt's plans, citing historical land acquisition data. "Only 11,000 acres were acquired in Punjab in the last 25 years, with 3,000 acres still undeveloped. Chandigarh was built on 28,000 acres 75 years ago, and 8,000 acres remain vacant. How will AAP develop 44,000 acres, including 24,000 in Ludhiana alone?" he asked. He warned that farmers would be left in limbo for years, with undeveloped land destroying livelihoods and destabilising the agricultural economy. The former deputy CM also noted that several village panchayats had passed resolutions opposing the land-pooling scheme and called for a mass movement to resist what he sees as a dangerous precedent. Former ministers Janmeja Singh Sekhon and Sikander Singh Maluka also attended the protest.
Time of India
37 minutes ago
- Time of India
Suggesting Tipu conceptualised KRS dam is pandering to vote bank, says BJP
Bengaluru: Opposition BJP Monday accused Congress of distorting Karnataka's history and disrespecting the legacy of the erstwhile Mysore royal family, especially Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, over recent remarks crediting Tipu Sultan with laying the foundation for Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) dam. The controversy erupted when social welfare minister HC Mahadevappa, in charge of Mysuru district, during an event in Srirangapatna Sunday, said, "Tipu Sultan was the first to conceptualise the dam and laid the foundation stone, but nobody has the courage to say this. BR Ambedkar has said that those who don't know history cannot create history." Reacting strongly, BJP state president BY Vijayendra accused Congress of trying to rewrite well-documented history. In a post, he said, "Tipu died in 1799, while the dam was planned more than a century later in 1908." You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru He went on to accuse Congress of pandering to vote-bank politics, while defaming the Wadiyars. "From the beginning, CM Siddaramaiah has shown contempt towards the royal family. Just recently, MLC Yathindra stated that his father (Siddaramaiah) was greater than Nalwadi Krishna Raja Wadiyar. Now, Mahadevappa has insulted the legacy and sacrifice behind the construction of the Kannambadi dam by crediting Tipu Sultan. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like It's Genius for Learning Languages [See Why] Talkpal AI Undo The story of the Mysuru royal family's sacrifice is remembered even today in every household of the erstwhile Mysore kingdom. " Vijayendra said the dam project was conceived in 1908, work began in 1911, and was completed in 1932, overcoming British opposition and financial constraints. He recalled how Nalwadi's mother, Vanivilasa Sannidhana, and wife, Krishnavilasa Sannidhana, sold their jewellery to fund the project. He also credited engineer Sir M Visvesvaraya and others with bringing the project to fruition. "Nalwadi's contribution was so profound that Mahatma Gandhi referred to him as a Rajarshi," he added. Opposition leader, R Ashoka, alleged that the Siddaramaiah govt is plotting to rename KRS as Tipu Sultan Sagar. Meanwhile, some Mysuru-based historians noted that while Tipu did express interest in building water works, there is no credible evidence that he conceived or laid the foundation stone for KRS dam . Historians say there is indeed an inscription to the effect that Tipu was keen on building a dam but say the reservoir in Mandya was conceptualised and built under the patronage of Krishnaraja Wadiyar.
