Both Means Siblings Out of the Spotlight: A Political Pause

In a surprising turn of events, Casey and Calley Means, two prominent figures within the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, find themselves temporarily absent from the political arena. Casey, who was nominated by President Trump for the role of surgeon general, was scheduled to present at a Senate confirmation hearing. However, the hearing has been postponed indefinitely due to her going into labor, just two days after her due date.

Simultaneously, reports have surfaced indicating that Calley Means has stepped down from his position as a “Special Government Employee” at the White House. His departure, which was not publicly announced, came after the culmination of his term, lasting 130 days. Calley has been noted for his advisory role to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. regarding vaccine policies. In an interview, he pointed out that recent media representations inaccurately continued to label him as a government employee post-departure.

Critics view the absence of the Means siblings as a positive development, highlighting concerns over their qualifications and potential conflicts of interest stemming from their wellness ventures. Calley co-founded Truemed, a company that allows customers to purchase various wellness products, including controversial treatments often classified as unproven. His initiatives have drawn ire for potentially benefiting from upcoming policies aimed at expanding medical spending options under the Trump administration.

Public Citizen, a government watchdog organization, expressed relief over Calley’s exit, citing concerns about the misuse of the Special Government Employee designation. Advocate Jon Golinger commented on the broader implications of placing individuals without substantial health expertise in influential positions of power.

While Calley lacks formal healthcare expertise, Casey does possess a medical degree from Stanford Medical School. However, she left her residency, lacks a current medical license, and advocates for “functional” medicine—a controversial area criticized by traditional medical professionals. Her co-founded company, Levels, promotes lifestyle tracking and health interventions which have come under scrutiny.

Their book, “Good Energy,” which espouses a range of health practices ranging from dietary changes to lifestyle adjustments, has faced backlash from health professionals, emphasizing the need for scientific credibility in the surgeon general’s role.

The ongoing discussion surrounding their nominations and activities underscores the importance of accountability and transparency in government, particularly when it pertains to public health policy and advice. The future steps of Casey and Calley Means remain to be seen as they take a pause from the political front.