Trump nominates Dr. Nicole Saphier as new surgeon general

WASHINGTON — President Trump announced this week that he is nominating Dr. Nicole Saphier for the position of U.S. Surgeon General, following the stalled nomination of Dr. Casey Means. Trump described Saphier as "a STAR physician who has spent her career guiding women facing breast cancer through their diagnosis and treatment." Saphier, a radiologist and director of breast imaging at Memorial Sloan Kettering Monmouth, has a medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine and completed fellowships at the Mayo Clinic.

The withdrawal of Means' nomination came after significant scrutiny regarding her qualifications and her controversial views on vaccines. During her confirmation hearing in February, Means faced tough questioning from senators, raising doubts about her ability to secure enough votes for confirmation. Activists from the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement had rallied support for Means, but concerns about her lack of an active medical license and her previous statements on vaccines ultimately led to her nomination being pulled.

Trump's decision to nominate Saphier marks the second time he has withdrawn a surgeon general nominee in his second term, following the withdrawal of Janette Nesheiwat due to questions about her credentials. Saphier's nomination may signal a shift in Trump's approach, as she has previously diverged from his messaging on medical issues, particularly regarding the use of Tylenol during pregnancy.

Power Read: The nomination of Dr. Saphier could strengthen Trump's position with moderate Republicans and women voters, as she has a more traditional medical background compared to Means. However, Saphier's past criticisms of Trump's medical advice may expose her to scrutiny from the MAGA base. This shift could reflect Trump's attempt to balance his administration's health messaging with a more credible candidate, potentially aiming to regain support from skeptical senators.

What to watch: The Senate's response to Saphier's nomination and the potential for bipartisan support will be crucial in determining her confirmation process.