Trump pulls nomination for surgeon general nominee Casey Means

Key Points:

• President Donald Trump announced the nomination of Dr. Nicole Saphier, a radiologist and former Fox News contributor, for surgeon general after the stalled nomination of Dr. Casey Means due to Senate concerns over her experience and vaccine stance.
• Dr. Means, a Stanford-educated physician and ally of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., faced criticism for her lack of active medical license, incomplete surgical residency, and controversial views on vaccines, including opposition to the hepatitis B birth dose.
• Means' nomination was delayed by Senate health committee skepticism and opposition from Republican senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins, with GOP Sen. Bill Cassidy playing a key role in questioning her vaccine positions.
• Saphier, known for her breast cancer expertise, has previously diverged from Trump’s medical messaging by advocating a balanced approach to acetaminophen use in pregnancy, emphasizing risks of untreated symptoms alongside medication caution.
• This marks the second surgeon general nomination withdrawn in Trump’s second term, following the earlier withdrawal of Janette Nesheiwat amid credential questions.