Trump nominates Fox News doctor to be the next surgeon general

In a dramatic turn of events, President Trump announced the withdrawal of his nomination for Casey Means as the next U.S. Surgeon General. This decision came after a series of social media posts in which he expressed frustration towards Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.) over the stalled nomination process. Trump has now put forward a new candidate: Dr. Nicole B. Saphier, a breast radiologist affiliated with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, a Fox News contributor, and the founder of a herbal supplement company known for questioning vaccination efficacy. The decision to abandon Means was anticipated, as her nomination has faced significant delays in the Senate following her February confirmation hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, chaired by Cassidy. Reports indicated that several Republican senators, including Cassidy, harbored doubts regarding Means’ qualifications and her controversial views on vaccines. While she holds a medical degree, Means does not possess an active medical license and had previously left her residency, raising questions about her ability to serve as the nation’s chief medical officer. During her confirmation hearing, Means was often evasive when discussing vaccinations, failing to endorse critical vaccines while also avoiding any direct contradiction of anti-vaccine sentiments expressed by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Since stepping away from traditional medicine, she has transitioned into a wellness influencer, promoting various health products and gaining prominence within Kennedy's Make America Health Again (MAHA) movement. In response to Means' withdrawal, Trump criticized Cassidy, labeling him as “disloyal” and accusing him of obstructing the nomination process for Kennedy’s endorsed candidate, Casey Means. He reiterated his support for the MAHA initiative, stating that he nominated Means based on Kennedy’s recommendation and expressing gratitude for her continued advocacy for the movement.