Bulwark Takes Trump’s Surgeon General Nominee May Be Too Weird Even for MAGA
May 8, 2025
Jonathan Cohn, a top policy reporter, and Will Sommer, a right-wing expert, delve into the unconventional nomination of Casey Means for Surgeon General. They discuss her holistic health advocacy and controversial views on vaccines, including her belief in metaphysical health practices. The conversation takes a wild turn as they explore the blend of wellness culture and conspiracy theories, especially amid political campaigns. The dynamics within the anti-vax movement are also examined, showcasing how polarizing her nomination has become.
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Casey Means' Medical Epiphany
- Casey Means pursued a traditional medical path but had an epiphany during surgery that shifted her focus to preventative health.
- She and her brother collaborated on wellness concepts, influencing a niche intersection of health and political movements.
Wellness Meets MAGA Politics
- Casey and her brother authored "Really Good Energy," blending wellness advice with a spiritual tone.
- Their appeal grew in the MAGA movement, especially linked to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s circle.
Wellness and Pseudoscience Mix
- Means promotes sensible health basics like sunlight and diet but pairs them with pseudoscientific holistic theories.
- Their wellness discourse intertwines with increasing anti-vaccine and conspiracy themes in the right-wing milieu.