Published on: Thu, 30 Apr 2026 18:44:24 GMTOriginal Story: Trump pulls Means’ nomination for surgeon general – Politico Means Nomination D.O.A.: Shocker, Not Really. Means Nomination D.O.A.: Shocker, Not Really. So, Donald Trump, in a move that surprises absolutely no one who’s been paying attention since, oh, 2015, has reportedly pulled the nomination of Dr. Joseph Ladapo’s buddy, Dr. Kris Kobach Means, for surgeon general. Politico says it’s because Means was… wait for it… deemed insufficiently loyal. Cue the collective eye roll from anyone who’s ever experienced the capricious whims of a certain ex-reality TV star turned politician. Loyalty: The Only Qualification That Matters Let’s be real, folks. In Trump’s world, expertise, qualifications, even basic competence take a backseat to the singular, unwavering devotion to The Man himself. It’s like a bizarre political personality cult, and apparently, Dr. Means didn’t quite make the cut. One has to wonder exactly *what* kind of litmus test was administered. Did he correctly identify Trump as the most handsome president in history? Did he pledge allegiance to Mar-a-Lago? Did he correctly accuse someone of being a Deep State actor? The suspense is killing me. This whole saga reeks of the same kind of amateur-hour staffing decisions that plagued his first term. Remember when he tapped unqualified sycophants for crucial positions, only to watch them crash and burn in spectacular fashion? Good times. Good times. But Wait, There’s More! The Hypocrisy Is Strong With This One Oh, the irony. The delicious, bitter irony. Trump, the guy who ran on “draining the swamp” and railing against political cronyism, is now apparently demanding absolute fealty from his nominees. Remind me again, was that “draining the swamp” thing just a marketing ploy? Because it sure seems like he just replaced the swamp creatures with a new, equally slimy set of them. Remember back in 2016 when he criticized Hillary Clinton for political appointments and quid pro quo? Yeah. Good times. And let’s not forget that one of the core critiques of the “Deep State” crowd was that their loyalty was to the system, not necessarily to the president. So Trump’s solution is to demand that appointees forsake any loyalty to anything *but* him? That’s, uh, a choice. A deeply unsettling choice. Means: Not Deplorable Enough? So, what exactly did Dr. Means do (or not do) to earn Trump’s ire? Politico’s sources are being cagey, but the implication is clear: he wasn’t “on message” enough. He didn’t parrot the approved talking points with sufficient enthusiasm. He didn’t demonstrate the level of unwavering devotion that Trump apparently craves. Maybe he dared to suggest that, I dunno, facts still matter? Honestly, at this point, I wouldn’t be surprised if Trump started requiring loyalty oaths written in blood. Or maybe a public display of affection for his golden statue. The possibilities are endless, and equally terrifying. The Real Losers? The American People. While this whole episode is darkly amusing on a certain level, it also highlights a serious problem: the degradation of public service. When loyalty trumps (pun intended) competence, the American people suffer. We end up with unqualified individuals in positions of power, making decisions based on political expediency rather than sound judgment. This isn’t just about one failed nomination. It’s about the erosion of trust in government, the normalization of corruption, and the triumph of personality over policy. And that, my friends, is a tragedy. What’s Next? Guessing Games and More Chaos. So, what does this mean for the surgeon general position? Who knows! Another unqualified loyalist will probably be trotted out. Get your bingo cards ready, folks. It’s going to be a wild ride. I’m already bracing myself for the next installment of this political circus. Popcorn, anyone? I bet you thought you’d read something in the news today that would be worse than the previous day’s news, didn’t you? Well, buckle up buttercup, this is just the beginning. Snarky Takeaway The lesson here? In Trump’s world, loyalty is everything. Expertise, integrity, even a basic understanding of the job you’re supposed to do are all secondary. So, if you’re hoping to get a gig in a future Trump administration, start practicing your “Yes, Mr. President!” and maybe invest in a MAGA hat. It might just be the best investment you ever make. Or, you know, maybe not. Because, let’s be honest, who can predict what that man will do next? Post navigation Bibi Pardon: Trump’s “Hero” Worship Continues