President Donald Trump has tapped a contributor from his favorite television network as the next surgeon general of the U.S.
The president, 79, announced in a Thursday afternoon Truth Social post that he was nominating Fox News analyst Nicole B. Saphier, 44.
“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, while at the same time working with men and women on all other forms of cancer diagnoses and treatments,” Trump wrote.
“She is also an INCREDIBLE COMMUNICATOR, who makes complicated health issues more easily understood by all Americans. Dr. Nicole Saphier will do great things for our Country, and help, “MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN.” Congratulations Nicole, our Country has long been waiting for you!"
In a statement, a Fox News spokesperson told the Daily Beast: “Dr. Saphier’s FOX News contributor agreement has been terminated.”
The Daily Beast has reached out to the White House for comment.
Trump withdrew his previous nominee, MAHA-fanatic Casey Means, from consideration after she had been stuck in governmental limbo for about a year. Traditional Republicans, including Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine, and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, expressed mounting concern over her anti-vax sentiments and other controversial, conspiratorial points of view.
GOP Sen. Bill Cassidy, a doctor who leads the Senate Panel for Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, also would not say publicly whether he would confirm Means—something Trump took note of on Thursday in a separate Truth Social post.
“For months, Senator Bill Cassidy (of the GREAT State of Louisiana!), a very disloyal person whose ‘TRUMP’ Endorsement got him elected, but later voted to impeach ‘President Trump’ on what has now proven to be a total Hoax and Scam, has stood in the way of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Nominee, Casey Means, for the important position of U.S. Surgeon General,’” Trump wrote.
" I nominated Casey, a strong MAHA Warrior, at the recommendation of Secretary Kennedy, who understands the MAHA Movement better than anyone, with perhaps the possible exception of ME!“ he went on, slaming Cassidy’s ”intransigence and political games."
In a separate post, the president wrote: “Hopefully all of the Great Republican People of Louisiana, which I won, BIG, three times, will be voting Bill Cassidy OUT OF OFFICE in the upcoming Republican Primary! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
Saphier, a radiologist and director of breast imaging at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s facility in Monmouth, New Jersey, is a frequent Fox News contributor. Notably, she dismissed rumors that Robert F. Kennedy Jr.—who would later become her boss—would be appointed to lead the Department of Health and Human Services during an appearance on the network in November 2024.
“People are starting to throw around his name for director of Health and Human Services. I don‘t really see him in a role there. I certainly think he‘s going to have an active role as a senior advisor,” she said.
If confirmed, Saphier would join numerous Fox personalities as high-ranking members of Trump’s administration, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, and United States Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro. The president’s first pick for the top job, Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, was also a Fox News contributor. Her name was pulled days ahead of her Senate confirmation hearing—partially due to mounting pressure from right-wing influencer Laura Loomer, the New York Times reporter.
Like Kennedy, Saphier has been outspokenly critical of vaccines and the nation’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic—including in her book, Panic Attack: Playing Politics with Science in the Fight Against COVID-19.
The New Jersey native also penned the book Love, Mom: Inspiring Stories Celebrating Motherhood, which chronicles her surprise pregnancy at 17 years old and the fallout—including being shunned by her church.
