Trump Withdraws Nomination of Casey Means for Surgeon General – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Pexels)
Washington — President Donald Trump withdrew the nomination of Casey Means for U.S. Surgeon General on Thursday, marking the third attempt to fill the key public health position amid ongoing Senate resistance.[1][2] He quickly pivoted to nominate Dr. Nicole B. Saphier, a radiologist and former Fox News contributor, citing her expertise in cancer care and communication skills. The move highlights tensions within the Republican Party over health policy priorities, particularly vaccines, as the administration seeks to advance its Make America Healthy Again agenda.
Casey Means’ Nomination Hits Senate Wall
Casey Means faced significant hurdles during her February confirmation hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. Senators from both parties pressed her on her views regarding vaccines, including those for measles and hepatitis B. Although Means described the shots as safe and effective, she stopped short of the full-throated endorsement some Republicans demanded.[2]
GOP holdouts, including Senators Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, expressed unresolved concerns. These reservations, combined with a lack of Democratic support, prevented the nomination from advancing. Means, a wellness influencer and ally of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., also drew questions about her qualifications, including her decision to leave a surgical residency and her inactive medical license.[3]
Trump Points Finger at Key Senator
In announcing the withdrawal on Truth Social, Trump directly blamed Senator Cassidy for the impasse. “Despite Senator Cassidy’s intransigence and political games, Casey will continue to fight for MAHA on the many important Health issues facing our Country,” the president wrote. He praised Means as a “strong MAHA Warrior,” nominated at Kennedy’s recommendation, and thanked her for her service.[1]
Calley Means, Casey’s brother and a senior White House adviser, echoed the criticism. He called Cassidy a “mindless avatar for his donors” who used delay tactics and smears to block the nomination. The episode underscores fractures among Republicans on the committee, where even a few dissenting votes can derail a nominee.
Profile of the New Nominee: Dr. Nicole Saphier
Dr. Nicole B. Saphier serves as director of breast imaging at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s Monmouth location. She has built a career focused on guiding patients, particularly women, through breast cancer diagnoses and treatments while advocating for early detection across various cancers.[1] Trump highlighted these credentials in his announcement, calling her a “STAR physician” and an “INCREDIBLE COMMUNICATOR who makes complicated health issues more easily understood by all Americans.”[2]
Saphier also brings media experience as a longtime Fox News contributor and host of the “Wellness Unmasked” podcast. She authored the 2020 book Make America Healthy Again, which critiques big government and poor habits in healthcare. Her profile on a CDC advisory committee adds to her public health resume, positioning her as a bridge between clinical expertise and the administration’s health reform goals.
| Nominee | Background | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Janette Nesheiwat | Fox News contributor | Withdrawn, May 2025 |
| Casey Means | Wellness influencer, MD | Stalled over vaccines, withdrawn April 2026 |
| Nicole Saphier | Radiologist, MSK, Fox contributor | Newly nominated |
Challenges Ahead for Confirmation and Public Health Role
The Surgeon General serves as America’s top voice on public health matters, issuing reports and advisories that shape national conversations on issues from disease prevention to lifestyle factors. Saphier’s nomination now heads to the same Senate committee, where she may face fewer ideological hurdles given her mainstream medical background. However, the position has remained vacant for months, contributing to instability at agencies like the CDC, where leadership has turned over repeatedly.[3]
Stakeholders, including public health advocates and senators, will scrutinize whether Saphier aligns with the MAHA movement’s emphasis on root causes of illness like nutrition and over-medicalization. Her confirmation could stabilize the role, but broader vacancies across health agencies signal ongoing hurdles for the administration’s reforms. As Trump pushes forward, the choice reflects a strategic shift toward nominees with stronger Senate appeal.
This latest pivot leaves observers watching whether Saphier’s blend of oncology expertise and media savvy will secure the post and effectively champion preventive health in a divided political landscape.