Trump drops Casey Means as surgeon general nominee, opts for radiologist Nicole Saphier

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has dropped its nomination of Casey Means to be the next surgeon general, opting instead for Nicole Saphier, a radiologist and Fox News contributor. The move is a blow to the Make America Healthy Again movement’s months-long push to get Means confirmed. But Saphier shares some commonalities with MAHA, including an interest in personal wellness and a skepticism of vaccine mandates. It also signals the limits of President Trump’s power to achieve Senate approval, especially after months of concerns from lawmakers about his health agenda. The administration has nominated a health official to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention who is also awaiting Senate review. Trump announced the change on social media and blamed Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) for blocking Means. Cassidy leads the committee tasked with nominees for surgeon general. He called the senator, a physician who has expressed deep concerns with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s vaccine policies, “disloyal.” “Nevertheless, despite Senator Cassidy’s intransigence and political games, Casey will continue to fight for MAHA on the many important Health issues facing our Country,” Trump wrote. Nicole Saphier attends FOX Nation’s 2024 Patriot Awards at Tilles Center for the Performing Arts in Greenvale,