Who Is Nicole Saphier, Trump's New Nominee for US Surgeon General?
Nicole Saphier, a radiologist and Fox News medical contributor, has been nominated by Donald Trump as the next US surgeon general. This marks his third pick for the role, following the withdrawal of Janette Nesheiwat and Casey Means. Experts suggest Saphier is "almost a lock" to pass Senate confirmation, despite her controversial stances on vaccines and public health.
A Controversial Yet Effective Communicator
Art Caplan, a professor of medical ethics at NYU's Grossman School of Medicine, described Saphier as a "very effective communicator" who appears "mainstream enough" to secure the position. While Caplan disagrees with her views, he believes they won't derail her nomination. Jerome Adams, former surgeon general under Trump, called Saphier "a solid pick" and praised her ability to reach conservative audiences.
Vaccine Skepticism and Public Health Stances
Saphier has questioned routine childhood vaccines, calling for a rollback of mandates while emphasizing that vaccines are "overwhelmingly safe." She criticized the communication around changes to the vaccine schedule and has expressed concerns about hepatitis B vaccine requirements for school attendance. Caplan dismissed her suggestions to space out vaccines as "nonsense," warning that delaying shots can be dangerous.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Saphier downplayed transmission by children and advocated for schools to reopen without vaccines. She later praised the removal of COVID-19 vaccination recommendations for children and called Robert F. Kennedy Jr., now HHS secretary, a "visionary."
Opposition to Gender-Affirming Care
Saphier has been a vocal opponent of gender-affirming care for transgender youth, labeling it a "national emergency" and questioning whether being transgender is a "fad." She has also opposed research on hormone blockers.
Business Interests and Supplement Company
Saphier owns Drop Rx, an herbal tincture company, and promotes supplements on social media with claims not evaluated by the FDA. She defended cuts to cancer research made by the Department of Government Efficiency, calling it "one of the greatest things to happen in US history."
Background and Experience
Saphier is a licensed radiologist specializing in breast imaging at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. She authored the book Make America Healthy Again in 2020, years before Kennedy adopted the slogan. Her podcast covers topics from substance use to microplastics, emphasizing personal responsibility over government intervention.
