President Trump Nominates Dr. Nicole Saphier as U.S. Surgeon General After Withdrawing Prior Pick

President Trump nominated Dr. Nicole Saphier as the next U.S. surgeon general on Thursday, withdrawing his prior nomination of Dr. Casey Means after it faced Senate opposition. The announcement ends months of speculation about whether Means would be confirmed.

Background on the Nominees Dr.

Nicole Saphier is a breast radiologist who has served as a Fox News contributor since 2018. She is the director of breast imaging at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center-Monmouth and an associate professor at Weill Cornell Medical College, specializing in breast and oncologic imaging.

Trump described Saphier in a Truth Social post as a physician who has guided women through breast cancer diagnosis and treatment while advocating for early cancer detection and prevention.

“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." — President Trump, Truth Social post (Usa Today). He also noted her communication skills, stating she makes complicated health issues more easily understood by Americans. Dr. Casey Means, the previous nominee, faced opposition from the Senate over her lack of a current medical license and views on vaccines. The nomination had been pending for a year, according to one report.”

The surgeon general role involves advising on public health matters and communicating health information to the public. Saphier's background in radiology and media aligns with Trump's emphasis on her communicative abilities. The withdrawal of Means' nomination came amid stalled confirmation proceedings.

Multiple sources confirmed the switch to Saphier on the same day. No immediate reactions from Senate members were detailed in the available reports.

The nomination requires Senate confirmation to take effect.

If confirmed, Saphier would succeed the current surgeon general, though no details on the incumbent were provided in the sources. Trump's post highlighted Saphier's work in cancer care, which could influence public health priorities under her potential leadership. The story is developing, with updates expected as the confirmation process unfolds.