U.S. President Donald Trump has appointed radiologist and Fox News contributor Dr. Nicole Saphier as his nominee for Surgeon General, following the withdrawal of Casey Means from consideration. This marks Trump’s third attempt to fill the position.
The nomination comes amid political tensions, particularly a standoff with Republican Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, who Trump claims obstructed Means’ confirmation process. Trump has publicly labeled Cassidy as “a very disloyal person” for his role.
Means was closely aligned with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. yet faced challenges in securing enough support from the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, which is chaired by Cassidy. Notably, Means is not a practicing doctor and has been associated with the Make America Healthy Again movement, which has raised concerns about its anti-vaccine stance.
Trump expressed support for Saphier on social media, highlighting her experience in breast cancer advocacy and her role in promoting early detection and prevention of the disease. Her professional background includes work at Memorial Sloan Kettering and the authorship of books addressing public health issues.
In prior discussions, Trump indicated that despite Cassidy’s resistance, Means would remain a force for the Make America Healthy Again initiative, referring to her as a key advocate for various health issues affecting the nation.
The withdrawal of Means’ nomination has been viewed positively by some health advocates. Lisa Gilbert, co-president of the watchdog group Public Citizen, described the decision as a “clear-cut victory for public health,” affirming that Means was unqualified for the role.
Dr. Nicole Saphier holds an active medical license and is the director of breast imaging at Memorial Sloan Kettering, with an academic background that includes a medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine and fellowships at the Mayo Clinic. Her writings focus on the role of diet and lifestyle in preventing chronic diseases, aligning her with certain principles of the Kennedy-led movement, albeit with a different approach to public health communication.
