Calley Means, a key figure in the Make America Healthy Again movement led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has been given a permanent position in the Trump administration as a senior adviser at HHS.
Means has been hired as a senior adviser supporting food and nutrition policy, HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon said.
Means helped facilitate Kennedy’s introduction to President Donald Trump, and he is a prominent advocate of the secretary’s health agenda. The new role cements Means’ spot within Kennedy’s inner circle and gives him sway over the US food supply and other health policies.
He previously served as a special government employee, a time-limited position that usually lasts no more than 130 days and doesn’t typically require full divestment from outside interests. Means left the temporary position this fall.
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In addition to his role as Kennedy confidante, Means co-founded a health company, Truemed, that lets people use tax-advantaged savings accounts to buy health, wellness and fitness products. It helps consumers use that money for a range of fitness equipment and memberships, cold-plunge pools, saunas, mattresses and supplements.
Means is divesting from his interest in Truemed, according to an HHS official.
Means has been critical of ultra-processed food and championed the push to get food companies like General Mills Inc., and retailers including Walmart Inc. to voluntarily swap out synthetic dyes for natural colors in many of their products.
He also co-wrote a bestselling health book, Good Energy, with his sister Casey Means, who is Trump’s nominee for US Surgeon General and another Kennedy ally. A confirmation hearing for Means’ post as Surgeon General was delayed in late October after she went into labor.
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Calley Means appointed permanent position as a senior adviser at HHS
