Trump Nominates Dr. Nicole Saphier as Surgeon General After Casey Means Nomination Collapses

President Donald Trump has withdrawn his nomination of Casey Means for U.S. Surgeon General and instead announced his support for Dr. Nicole Saphier, a radiologist specializing in breast cancer, to fill the position.

The decision follows months of scrutiny over Means’ qualifications and controversial public statements on vaccines, children’s health, and medical treatments. Means, a 38-year-old wellness influencer without an active medical license, was nominated in early 2024 but faced bipartisan opposition in the Senate.

Why Casey Means’ Nomination Failed

Means, a close ally of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and advocate for his Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, drew criticism for her past statements, including:

• Calling hormonal birth control a “disrespect of life”
• Labeling newborn hepatitis B vaccinations as “absolute insanity”
• Criticizing the use of GLP-1 medications, a priority of Trump’s administration

Her nomination stalled after Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski and other Republicans raised concerns during her confirmation hearing. Senate Health Committee Chair Bill Cassidy and Maine Sen. Susan Collins also opposed her, according to Politico.

“Three Republican senators chose to block my nomination moving through the health committee,” Means told Politico. “In doing so, [they] really put a vote

Dr. Nicole Saphier: Trump’s New Surgeon General Pick

Trump formally endorsed Saphier in a Truth Social post on Thursday, praising her as a “STAR physician” who has dedicated her career to breast cancer care and early detection.

“Nicole is a STAR physician who has spent her career guiding women facing breast cancer through their diagnosis and treatment while tirelessly advocating to increase early cancer detection and prevention.” — Donald Trump, Truth Social

Saphier, unlike Means, is a practicing physician and does not have a history of controversial public health statements. She authored the 2020 book “Make America Healthy Again”, which aligns with the MAHA movement’s focus on lifestyle changes like diet and exercise.

Kennedy, who had previously praised Means as “the most articulate, eloquent and erudite evangelist for the MAHA movement,” did not immediately comment on Saphier’s nomination.

What This Means for the MAHA Movement

The collapse of Means’ nomination likely signals a shift away from the MAHA agenda, which emphasizes skepticism toward vaccines and pharmaceutical interventions. Trump’s endorsement of Saphier suggests a preference for a surgeon general with a more conventional medical background and fewer public controversies.

While the White House has not confirmed a timeline for Saphier’s confirmation, her nomination is expected to face less resistance in the Senate due to her medical credentials and alignment with mainstream public health priorities.