Donald Trump’s recent nominee to be U.S. Surgeon General, Casey Means, is an example of such a mobilizer. This decision has been met with major outrage and anger among some political circles. Means, not shy about her radical views, has received blistering fire from fellow radical Laura Loomer. Loomer, a far-right conspiracy theorist, has emerged as one of Trump’s most powerful unofficial advisers. Loomer’s frustration with the nomination is illustrative of the ideological battles that will help determine the future course of health policy if a Trump administration comes to pass.
Dr. Casey Means has recently been making waves with the audacity of her beliefs. She leads a grassroots crusade to ban fluoride from the nation’s drinking water. Her nomination has already turned heads for her unapologetically conservative views. It’s interesting, though, because her brother happens to be a top adviser of a likely candidate of his own, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has his own widely criticized history in health policy. Looking to replace her, Loomer claims that Means’s proposals are simply not serious enough for such a critical office.
Loomer’s complaints go far beyond Means’s appreciation for psychedelic drugs, including magic mushrooms. In a newsletter, Means shared how these non-human substances significantly enhanced her home life. She even credited them with helping her find a romantic partner! Launching by taking shots at others, Loomer wasted no time with her criticism on social media, declaring,
“PRAYS TO INANIMATE OBJECTS, COMMUNICATES WITH SPIRIT MEDIUMS, USES SHROOMS AS ‘PLANT MEDICINE’ AND TALKS TO TREES! SHE ALSO DOESN’T EVEN HAVE AN ACTIVE MEDICAL LICENSE.” – Laura Loomer
This stark judgment serves to solidify Loomer’s conviction that Means lacks the gravitas needed to fill the Surgeon General’s position. Loomer’s comments are an illustration of the skepticism among various quarters of the Republican Party regarding Means’ appropriateness.
Loomer was vicious in her attacks on Janette Nesheiwat, a former medical contributor on Fox News. She targeted Nesheiwat’s family connections, as Nesheiwat is the sister-in-law of Congressman Mike Waltz. Loomer attacked Nesheiwat as “a pro-Covid vaccine nepo appointee” who “didn’t go to medical school in the US.” While Nesheiwat did earn her medical degree from a school in Sint Maarten, Loomer’s remarks highlight the ongoing debate over qualifications and credibility within Trump’s advisory circles.
While that nomination has raised public awareness and debate, Casey Means is not the only nominee with troubling connections to the tech industry. It’s sparked huge civil war inside the Maha group, a far-right faction of the Republican Party usually beat Trump’s drum. Observers are already saying that Loomer could be credited with forcing out Trump’s first choice for surgeon general. This change cements her power within the party even more.
Even Trump himself defended Means’s nomination, arguing that she has “impeccable ‘MAHA’ credentials.” This endorsement is a clear indication of his deep commitment to appointing like-minded people who share his vision. He is not cowed by blowback from people like Loomer.
That unimaginable feud has become the backdrop for an extraordinary transformation within the GOP over the last decade plus. It fights against ideology and fights against different acceptance of radical health policy. Loomer and Means both represent exciting possibilities in this new and confusing landscape. Their ongoing tussle emphasizes the effort Trump faces in attempting to rally the GOP base to coalesce around a strong, defined health agenda.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has his own contentious relationship with public health narratives, recently commented on the matter, stating,
“What I would say is my opinions about vaccines are irrelevant.” – Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
His comments suggest that even party loyalists with deep creds are gun-shy. Or they are afraid of being associated with progressive darlings or radical notions.