After President Donald Trump nominated Dr. Casey Means as surgeon general, investigative reporter Michelle R. Smith and democracy team reporter Ali Swenson took a close look at her public profile—including speeches, books, interviews and social media. What they found revealed a striking contradiction.
Means has frequently criticized other doctors and regulators for having hidden financial ties to industry. But Smith and Swenson uncovered that she herself profits from the sale and promotion of wellness products.
Using affiliate marketing link codes, Means earned money through Amazon and other platforms when followers clicked through and made purchases. She also advised or held investments in companies whose products she promoted—often without clearly disclosing those financial connections.
The reporters examined digital link histories, interviewed ethics experts and pieced together a map of how Means benefits from the wellness industry while calling out others for similar behavior.
Their reporting resonated widely, landing on major homepages and sparking further media coverage. Together, Smith and Swenson presented a detailed and timely accountability story that revealed how a public health figure could be using her platform for personal profit.
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