President-elect Donald Trump and his team face the daunting task of appointing 4,000 individuals to staff his administration before Inauguration Day. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a Trump campaign surrogate and advocate for “Make America Healthy Again,” is actively seeking public input on potential candidates to fill health-related roles in the government. While it remains uncertain whether Kennedy himself will secure a position in the Department of Health and Human Services or elsewhere, his recommendations carry weight.
Kennedy has launched a webpage called “Nominees for the People,” inviting the public to submit names for consideration for various government positions. The platform allows users to vote and comment on nominations, with moderators ensuring the quality of submissions. Many users are advocating for Kennedy to assume a leadership role within the health sector, although recent remarks by Trump transition lead Howard Lutnick have cast doubt on this possibility.
Among the notable nominees on the portal is Casey Means, a functional medicine doctor with a focus on nutrition. She is reportedly being considered for a role in the Food and Drug Administration, but this has not been independently confirmed. Another prominent nominee is Simone Gold, the founder of America’s Frontline Doctors, a group known for promoting controversial Covid treatments and misinformation.
Kennedy’s followers are also supporting physicians who have gained notoriety for opposing public health guidance during the pandemic. Figures like Pierre Kory, Peter McCullough, and Sherri Tenpenny have garnered significant attention for their controversial views on vaccines and Covid treatments. Despite facing backlash and legal challenges, these individuals continue to advocate for their beliefs and engage with their online followers.
In addition to these nominees, social media influencer Gretchen Adler and environmental activist Zen Honeycutt have emerged as potential candidates for leadership positions in health-related agencies. Joel Salatin, a proponent of regenerative agriculture and small-scale farming, claims to have received an offer to advise the Department of Agriculture. These unconventional choices reflect the diverse range of perspectives and priorities within the health and wellness community.
As the selection process unfolds, Kennedy’s efforts to involve the public in nominating candidates underscore the importance of transparency and community engagement in shaping the future of healthcare policy. While the ultimate composition of Trump’s health team remains uncertain, the input of individuals like Kennedy and his supporters will undoubtedly influence the direction of health-related agencies in the coming years.
