In a significant development, U.S. President Donald Trump has appointed radiologist and Fox News contributor Dr. Nicole Saphier as his choice for U.S. Surgeon General, following the withdrawal of Casey Means’ nomination. This marks Trump’s third nominee for the prestigious post.
The decision to withdraw Means’ nomination has intensified a clash between Trump and Republican Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, who Trump accused of obstructing Means’ ascent and labeled as “a very disloyal person.” During her confirmation hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, which Cassidy chairs, Means struggled to secure the votes required for advancement.
Means, an associate of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., faced considerable skepticism due to her affiliation with the Make America Healthy Again movement, known for its controversial stances on vaccines. As a result, her pathway to becoming Surgeon General became increasingly problematic.
Senator Cassidy’s office did not provide immediate comments regarding Trump’s accusations or the new nomination of Dr. Saphier. Meanwhile, Means has not been reachable for comment.
Dr. Saphier, who currently serves as the Director of Breast Imaging at Memorial Sloan Kettering, has previously authored a book titled “Make America Healthy Again: How Bad Behavior and Big Government Caused a Trillion Dollar Crisis.” In her new role, she will take on the crucial responsibilities of delivering scientific health information to the American public.
In a post to Truth Social, Trump praised Saphier as a “STAR physician” lauding her commitment to guiding women facing breast cancer while championing the cause of early detection and prevention. He noted that despite opposing forces, Means would continue to advocate for vital health issues.
With the withdrawal of Means, who was Trump’s second nominee, this situation raises questions about the future direction of public health leadership amidst controversies over vaccine policies. Trump’s initial nominee for the position, Janette Nesheiwat, was withdrawn in May due to similar issues of contention.
Means faced intense scrutiny during her confirmation hearing, where both Democrats and some Republicans, including Cassidy, questioned her views on vaccines, birth control, and other health policies, alongside concerns over potential conflicts of interest. Although Means acknowledged the importance of vaccines in public health, she avoided directly rejecting discredited claims linking vaccines to autism, which have often been associated with the anti-vaccine movement.
Reacting to the withdrawal of Means’ nomination, Lisa Gilbert, co-president of Public Citizen, deemed it a “clear-cut victory for public health,” asserting, “Casey Means is unqualified and unfit to be Surgeon General and the withdrawal of her nomination is a win for the American public.”
In contrast, Dr. Saphier, unlike Means, maintains an active medical license and academic credentials from the Ross University School of Medicine and has completed fellowships at the Mayo Clinic. Her work also aligns with some philosophies of the Kennedy-led movement, as her literature emphasizes disease prevention through lifestyle choices.
