Byline: A Senior Financial Correspondent Dateline: WASHINGTON, D.C.

Trump Announces New Pick for Surgeon General Nomination

President Trump has nominated Dr. Nicole Saphier, a radiologist, author, and prominent media commentator, to serve as the nation's next surgeon general. The move comes after his previous choice for the top public health post stalled in the Senate, marking the administration's third attempt to fill the influential role.

Why it matters: The surgeon general, often called "America's Doctor," is a critical voice in shaping public health policy and communicating vital health information to the public. This nomination seeks to break a political logjam that has left the position in a state of flux, placing a candidate with a significant public profile and conservative appeal at the forefront of the confirmation process.

Dr. Saphier’s selection is widely seen as a strategic pivot, aimed at securing the necessary support from Republican lawmakers who were hesitant to back the previous nominee. In a post on his Truth Social platform, the President lauded Dr. Saphier as a "star physician and an incredible communicator," signaling that her media savvy is considered a key asset for the role.

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Meet the Nominee: Dr. Nicole Saphier

Dr. Saphier brings a multifaceted background to the nomination, blending clinical expertise with a robust media and commercial presence.

Her primary medical role is as the Director of Breast Imaging at a Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center branch in New Jersey. As a radiologist, her work focuses on the detection and diagnosis of breast cancer, grounding her in a critical area of public health and preventative medicine.

Beyond her clinical practice, Dr. Saphier is a familiar face in conservative media, serving as a frequent medical contributor on Fox News. She also hosts the "Wellness Unmasked" podcast, where she discusses health topics. This experience aligns with her stated view of the surgeon general's function, which she articulated on her podcast in February.

"They need the respect of not only the people, the American people that they are communicating to, but they also need the respect of the administration for which they are working together with," Saphier said, adding that the respect of the medical establishment is also crucial.

Her profile extends into the wellness industry. Dr. Saphier is an author, having published the book "Make America Healthy Again" in 2020. She also markets her own line of herbal supplements on Amazon, designed to promote "focus and calm," a venture that could draw scrutiny during her confirmation hearings.

A Tumultuous Nomination Process

Dr. Saphier's nomination follows a protracted and challenging effort by the Trump administration to fill the surgeon general post. She is the third candidate put forward for the position.

The first nominee was withdrawn following scrutiny over the representation of their medical credentials. The administration then nominated Dr. Casey Means, a physician who does not hold an active medical license.

Dr. Means' nomination faltered after a contentious confirmation hearing in February. She faced significant pushback from senators on both sides of the aisle, particularly concerning her views on vaccines. While stating that she believed vaccines save lives, she stopped short of explicitly encouraging parents to vaccinate their children against preventable diseases like measles and the flu.

The impasse culminated in a public dispute between President Trump and Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), a physician and the chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, which oversees the confirmation. Trump accused Cassidy of obstructing the nomination. In response, the committee issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter) asserting that it was "clear Means didn't have the votes" to be confirmed.

Saphier's Stance on Key Health Issues

Dr. Saphier is expected to face a rigorous confirmation process where her public statements and policy positions will be thoroughly examined. Her views appear tailored to appeal to the Republican base while navigating contentious public health debates.

• Conservative Appeal: David Mansdoerfer, who served as a health official during Trump’s first term, noted that Dr. Saphier is positioned to resonate strongly with the party's base. "I think she's extremely strong on some of the core base issues, the pro-life issue," Mansdoerfer stated. "She speaks a lot to the MAHA [Make America Healthy Again] influence, especially to the suburban moms."

• Chronic Disease and Prevention: Her background in oncology and her public messaging have often focused on preventative care and the management of chronic diseases, a central and generally bipartisan public health priority.

• Vaccine Views: Dr. Saphier's position on vaccines is more nuanced than her predecessor's but remains an area of potential controversy. She is not an anti-vaccine advocate and has publicly stated she does not believe in a link between vaccines and autism. However, she is a vocal supporter of what she terms "medical freedom," advocating for an individual's right to choose if and when to receive vaccinations. This stance will likely be a primary focus of questioning from senators concerned about vaccination rates for communicable diseases.

What's Next

Dr. Saphier's nomination will now proceed to the Senate HELP Committee, chaired by the same senator who played a key role in halting the previous nomination. While she is considered a more palatable candidate for many Republicans, her confirmation is far from guaranteed.

Senators will undoubtedly press her on her specific views on vaccine mandates, her "medical freedom" platform, and the potential for conflicts of interest arising from her commercial supplement business. Her ability to navigate these questions while reassuring the broader medical and scientific communities will determine her path to becoming the nation's top doctor.

The hearing will be a critical test of whether her communication skills and conservative credentials are a strong enough combination to finally secure a confirmed surgeon general for the administration.