Trump's Surgeon General Pick Accused of Failing to Disclose Wellness Product Ties

Casey Means faces questions over undisclosed financial relationships with companies she promoted on social media

Feb. 25, 2026 at 6:22pm

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President Donald Trump's nominee for surgeon general, Casey Means, has been accused of failing to properly disclose her financial ties to wellness products she has endorsed on social media. During a Senate hearing, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) presented evidence that Means had received compensation from companies like WeNatal, Genova Diagnostics, and Daily Harvest, but did not consistently reveal these relationships when promoting the products online.

Why it matters

The allegations against Means raise concerns about transparency and potential conflicts of interest, especially for a nominee to a high-profile public health position. Proper disclosure of financial relationships is important to maintain trust in the medical profession and ensure consumers are not misled by product endorsements.

The details

Sen. Murphy cited Federal Trade Commission guidelines that require online endorsers to clearly disclose any financial connections to the products they are promoting. Murphy claimed Means violated these rules in the majority of her social media posts about the wellness products she endorsed. Means denied the allegations, saying her staff had worked to ensure compliance, but Murphy presented documentation showing Means had financial ties to companies even when she claimed no such relationship existed.

  • In spring 2024, Means' filings show she received compensation from the prenatal vitamin company WeNatal.
  • In September 2024, Means posted a video saying she had 'no financial relationship' to WeNatal, but then in October 2024 said she was 'not sponsored, just love these' WeNatal products.

The players

Casey Means

President Donald Trump's nominee for surgeon general, who has been accused of failing to properly disclose her financial ties to wellness products she has endorsed on social media.

Sen. Chris Murphy

A Democratic senator from Connecticut who questioned Means about her alleged failure to adhere to FTC guidelines on product endorsements.

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What they’re saying

“Dr. Means, are you familiar with [Federal Trade Commission] policy that requires those who are recommending products online to disclose their financial connection to those companies?”

— Sen. Chris Murphy, U.S. Senator

“It's incorrect and it's a false representation. And just to be very clear, I've spent the last several months working with the Office of Government and Ethics to be fully compliant with this process. I take it very seriously.”

— Casey Means, Surgeon General Nominee

What’s next

The Senate will continue to scrutinize Means' financial disclosures and social media activity as part of the confirmation process for the surgeon general nomination.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of transparency and proper disclosure of financial relationships, especially for medical professionals and public health officials, in order to maintain trust and prevent potential conflicts of interest.