In a significant shift in his administration, U.S. President Donald Trump has nominated radiologist and Fox News contributor Dr. Nicole Saphier to serve as the next U.S. Surgeon General. This announcement comes after he withdrew the nomination of Casey Means, marking Trump’s third effort to fill the position.
The move has ignited tensions between Trump and Republican Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, who has been accused by the president of obstructing Means’ nomination. Trump described Cassidy as “a very disloyal person” amid a growing dispute over the nominee.
Means, who has been a staunch ally of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., faced challenges during her confirmation process due to insufficient support to advance from the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, which is chaired by Cassidy. Unlike Means, Saphier brings a wealth of experience and maintains an active medical practice.
As the Surgeon General, Saphier will be tasked with disseminating vital public health information to Americans, aiming to enhance health outcomes and mitigate illness. She is currently the director of breast imaging at Memorial Sloan Kettering and is recognized for her advocacy in breast cancer awareness and early detection.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump praised Saphier, labeling her a “STAR physician” who has dedicated her career to assisting women in navigating breast cancer. He lamented that despite Cassidy’s actions, Means would persist in advocating for the Kennedy-led Make America Healthy Again movement.
Means has come under scrutiny for her views within the controversial movement that questions vaccination practices. At a previous confirmation hearing in February, she faced tough inquiries from both Democrats and some Republicans regarding her stances on public health policy, where she acknowledged the importance of vaccines yet refrained from dismissing discredited claims linking them to autism.
The withdrawal of Means’ nomination has been described as a victory for public health by critics, who maintain that she was unfit for the role. In contrast, Saphier holds a medical degree from Ross University and has completed fellowships at the Mayo Clinic, which adds to her credibility for the position.
This nomination represents Trump’s ongoing struggle to successfully appoint individuals to key health positions amidst a backdrop of political and ideological divisions.
