Radiologist Nicole Saphier replaces MAHA star Casey Means as Trump surgeon general pick

Published April 30, 2026 1:10pm ET | Updated April 30, 2026 4:11pm ET



President Donald Trump on Thursday withdrew his nominee for surgeon general, Dr. Casey Means, blaming Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) for stalling her Senate confirmation.

Trump said he would be nominating Dr. Nicole Saphier, a radiologist and Fox News contributor, to the position. The decision represents a capitulation after Means received significant pushback from Cassidy and other senators due to her role in the Make America Healthy Again movement and her history of vaccine skepticism.

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