Surgeon General Nominee Casey Means Pressed in Senate Hearing Over Vaccine Stance and Credentials
On Feb. 25, 2026, former President Trump’s surgeon general nominee Casey Means testified at a Senate HELP Committee confirmation hearing where senators pressed her on vaccines, birth control and her credentials. Means said “vaccines save lives” but would not commit to encouraging parents to vaccinate children against measles and the flu, and senators raised concerns about her dropped residency, lack of an active medical license and wellness‑influencer background; Trump has said he does not know her and is relying on HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s support.
📌 Key Facts
- Casey Means is President Trump's nominee for U.S. Surgeon General and is facing a Senate confirmation hearing.
- The hearing is actively underway on Feb. 25, 2026, before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee.
- Means told senators that 'vaccines save lives' but declined to commit to encouraging parents to vaccinate children specifically against measles and the flu.
- Senators questioned her on a range of topics including vaccines and birth control and raised concerns about her dropped residency, lack of an active medical license, and her background as a wellness influencer.
- President Trump has publicly said he does not know Means and is relying on HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s support for her nomination.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
February 25, 2026
4:16 PM
Trump’s surgeon general nominee faces tough questions before Congress
New information:
- Confirms the hearing is actively underway on Feb. 25, 2026, before the Senate HELP Committee.
- Reports that Means acknowledged 'vaccines save lives' but refused to commit to encouraging parents to vaccinate children against measles and the flu.
- Notes that senators have questioned her on a range of topics from vaccines to birth control, and reiterates concerns about her dropped residency, lack of active medical license, and wellness-influencer background.
- Adds that Trump has publicly said he does not know Means and is relying on HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s support for her nomination.