Calley Means, a prominent advisor to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the brother of President Trump’s nominee for surgeon general, confirmed in a Wednesday night interview that he quietly stepped down from his White House position approximately a month ago, upon the completion of his term as a special government employee.
Over the past six months, Mr. Means played a pivotal role as the health secretary’s top confidant. He was instrumental in organizing a significant presidential commission report that highlighted the alarming state of children’s health. Additionally, he frequently engaged in public debates, both on television and online, with vaccine scientists and medical professionals who raised concerns about Mr. Kennedy’s ambitious proposals to reform the American healthcare system.
His tenure also attracted scrutiny from Democratic members of Congress, who expressed worries about potential financial benefits he could reap from healthcare system reforms championed by the “Make America Healthy Again” movement and its supporters within the Trump administration.
Mr. Means is a co-founder of Truemed, a wellness company that enables individuals to purchase health-related items, such as Peloton bikes and high-end saunas, using tax-exempt funds. This unique business model positioned his company to potentially benefit significantly from the Trump administration’s initiatives to expand access to such tax-advantaged health spending accounts.
Despite his quiet exit, the White House never issued an official announcement regarding his departure. In the weeks following his resignation, news outlets continued to refer to Mr. Means as a ‘White House adviser’ and ‘aide to Mr. Kennedy.’ During this period, he maintained his outspoken criticism of hospitals, insurance providers, and pharmaceutical firms, accusing them of profiting from the increased illness of patients.
Furthermore, his speaker biography at a recent health industry conference still listed him as “a special government employee to the White House on MAHA strategy,” even after his term concluded.
Mr. Means, appointed in March, clarified that these reports were incorrect and his biography was outdated. He stated that his remarks at the conference were made in a general capacity, not as a representative of the White House.
His role as a special government employee had a strict 130-day limit. Democratic lawmakers had previously suggested his term should have concluded by late July. Mr. Means explained that he took leave earlier in the year, which extended his official departure to about a month ago, marking the natural end of his authorized service.
Interestingly, the Trump administration is poised to welcome another member of the Means family to influence health policy. Dr. Casey Means, Calley’s sister, received a nomination from President Trump in May for the position of surgeon general, a move strongly supported by Mr. Kennedy.
Dr. Means, who, like her brother, gained prominence last year as a key proponent of the MAHA movement — co-authoring a book critical of perceived shortcomings in American medicine — was scheduled to appear before a Senate health committee for her confirmation hearing on Thursday.
However, the hearing was postponed when Dr. Means went into labor shortly before her scheduled appearance, as she was due to give birth this week.
Mirroring her brother’s experience, Dr. Means also thrived within the burgeoning wellness sector, frequently criticizing conventional medicine. She argues that mainstream approaches often trap patients in a cycle of treatments that overlooks the root causes of their health issues.
She co-founded Levels, a company that markets continuous glucose monitors — typically used by diabetics — to a broader clientele focused on nutrition and stable blood sugar. Levels offers annual packages, including glucose monitoring, lab tests, and health coaching, for up to $1,499.
Last month, government disclosures revealed that Dr. Means plans to step down from her advisory role at Levels, sell her company stock, and cease her work as an influencer endorsing dietary supplements and various wellness products.