Former President Donald Trump is facing a wave of backlash from the medical community after reportedly selecting a popular social media influencer—with no formal medical license or clinical experience—to serve as the next U.S. Surgeon General if he wins the 2024 presidential election.
The unnamed influencer, best known for promoting wellness routines, detox products, and lifestyle advice on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, has built a massive following among young audiences. However, her lack of medical qualifications has sparked outrage among health professionals, including prominent physicians who argue the nomination undermines the integrity of the nation’s top public health role.
“This is not a beauty brand endorsement or a fitness sponsorship,” said Dr. Karen Elston, a board-certified internal medicine specialist and former health advisor under the Obama administration. “The Surgeon General is responsible for providing scientific guidance to the American public—especially in times of crisis. Picking someone with no license, no training, and no clinical background is not just irresponsible, it’s dangerous.”
Casey Means is a grifter who dropped out of ENT residency & start a company selling glucose monitors & health all to non-diabetics.
She doesn’t know basic science, yet claims she’s a metabolism expert.
Incomplete ENT residency ≠ expert.
Of course she’s up for Surgeon General.
— Andrea C. Love, PhD (@dr_andrealove) May 7, 2025
Dr. Elston went on to accuse Trump of “prioritizing popularity over public safety,” calling the move a “slap in the face to the entire medical profession.”
The Surgeon General serves as the voice of public health in the U.S., issuing official advisories on major health concerns including vaccines, opioid addiction, mental health, and disease outbreaks. Past holders of the title have been highly trained physicians with decades of experience in medicine, public health policy, and epidemiology.
Trump’s pick, however, has no degree in medicine, pharmacy, or public health. Critics say she has promoted questionable wellness products and unproven health claims on social media, including detox teas and “energy realignment” routines. Fact-checkers have also flagged several posts for spreading misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite the criticism, Trump’s team has defended the nomination, emphasizing the influencer’s communication skills, charisma, and “deep understanding of holistic wellness.” According to campaign insiders, Trump believes traditional experts have lost public trust and that “fresh faces” with a strong digital presence are better positioned to engage the American public—especially younger generations.
“She knows how to reach people,” one senior Trump adviser said. “She’s built a loyal community. That’s exactly what the public health space needs right now—authenticity and influence.”
However, this rationale hasn’t satisfied many health leaders, who argue that likability on social media cannot replace years of medical training and ethical responsibility.
“The Surgeon General doesn’t need to be trendy—they need to be trustworthy,” Dr. Elston countered. “We’ve seen what happens when public health is politicized. Lives are put at risk.”
On social media, reactions have ranged from disbelief to outright mockery, with hashtags like #NotMySurgeonGeneral and #DoctorInfluencerGate trending across platforms. Several physicians and healthcare advocacy groups are already calling for Congressional intervention should Trump formally submit the nomination.
As the story continues to unfold, it’s clear the intersection of politics, fame, and public health is once again under intense scrutiny—and the consequences could be far-reaching.
