NewKerala.com

Trump Nominates Dr. Nicole Saphier as US Surgeon General, Withdraws Casey Means

President Donald Trump nominated Dr. Nicole B. Saphier as the next US Surgeon General, withdrawing Casey Means from consideration. Trump praised Saphier as a "STAR physician" and communicator. Means' nomination stalled due to bipartisan Senate concerns over her vaccine and abortion stances. Saphier now awaits Senate confirmation.

Key Points: Trump Nominates Dr. Nicole Saphier for Surgeon General

  • Trump nominates Dr. Nicole Saphier for Surgeon General
  • Casey Means nomination withdrawn after Senate scrutiny
  • Means faced bipartisan concerns over vaccines and abortion medications
  • Saphier praised for cancer care and public health communication
2 min read

Trump nominates Dr Nicole Saphier for US Surgeon General

Trump nominates Dr. Nicole Saphier as US Surgeon General, withdrawing Casey Means after bipartisan Senate concerns over vaccines and health policies.

"Nicole is an incredible communicator who makes complicated health issues more easily understood by all Americans. - Donald Trump"

Washington DC, May 1

US President Donald Trump on Thursday announced that he is nominating Dr. Nicole B. Saphier to serve as the next Surgeon General of the United States, while simultaneously withdrawing his earlier nominee, Casey Means.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump described Saphier as "a STAR physician" and praised her work in cancer care and public health communication. "I am pleased to announce that I am nominating Dr Nicole B Saphier to be the next Surgeon General of the United States of America," Trump said.

He added, "Nicole is an incredible communicator who makes complicated health issues more easily understood by all Americans. Dr Nicole Saphier will do great things for our Country, and help 'Make America Healthy Again'."

The nomination comes after the White House withdrew the earlier nomination of Casey Means, whose confirmation had stalled amid bipartisan concerns in the Senate.

According to Politico, Means' nomination had been under scrutiny for more than two months, with Republican senators raising concerns over her positions on vaccines, psychedelics, and abortion medications. Senators Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins, and Thom Tillis reportedly expressed reservations following her Senate testimony, while Senate HELP Committee Chair Bill Cassidy declined to signal support.

Politico reported that Cassidy had mentioned Means "did not have the votes on the committee to pass," adding that "the White House has known for a while she didn't have the votes to pass."

Means was originally selected for the role after being recommended by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., with whom she has close ties. Her brother, Calley Means, serves as a senior White House adviser.

According to Politico, Means, a Stanford Medical School graduate, dropped out of her surgical residency program in 2018, saying she felt disillusioned by the country's medical system. She climbed the ranks of the MAHA movement largely through social media, amassing more than 845,000 Instagram followers. She doesn't hold an active medical license.

Meanwhile, Trump's new nominee, Dr Saphier, now awaits Senate consideration as the administration seeks to move forward with its latest choice for the nation's top public health official.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
First they pick someone without a medical license who's famous on Instagram, then they switch to a real doctor. Looks like even Republican senators have limits on how far they'll go. Meanwhile in India we also have our own issues with health appointments, but at least we require basic qualifications. 😅
N
Nikhil C
The previous nominee had some extreme views - against vaccines, promoting psychedelics. Glad the system worked and blocked her. Dr Saphier from what I've read is more mainstream, works at Fox News regularly but at least she's qualified. We need science-based leaders, not social media influencers, in public health roles.
A
Aditi M
"Make America Healthy Again" - they keep coming up with these slogans but the food industry there is worse than here. At least in India we still have some traditional cooking. But on a serious note, appointing someone who actually knows medicine is a step in the right direction. Let's see how the Senate handles this one.
V
Vivek B
The fact that Casey Means was recommended by RFK Jr and had her brother as a senior White House adviser shows how much nepotism is at play in Trump's administration. At least Dr Saphier seems to have earned her spot through merit. Though being a regular on Fox News probably helped too. Politics never changes anywhere.
S
Sarah B
As someone who follows US politics from India, this is actually encouraging. A qualified doctor who can communicate well is exactly what they need after the pandemic mixed messages. Hope she focuses on real issues like obesity, opioid crisis, and mental health rather than culture war stuff. 🤞

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50