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The Surgeon General Nominee Revolving Door Spins Again, As Trump Nom Casey Means Exits and New One Enters

Trump withdrew Means’s nomination, announced Saphier as his new pick, and blamed Cassidy for the earlier delay.

The Surgeon General Nominee Revolving Door Spins Again, As Trump Nom Casey Means Exits and New One Enters
Image · redstate.com

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This article1 analysis · Oct 7, 2026
Apr 30, 2026
tl;dr

President Trump withdrew Casey Means as his Surgeon General nominee and announced Nicole Saphier as his new pick. The article also recounts Trump and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s criticism of Sen. Bill Cassidy, whom they blamed for delaying Means’s confirmation.

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Donald Trump R · President of the United States
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Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who withdrew Casey Means’s nomination and announced Nicole Saphier as his new nominee

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Bill Cassidy
R · LA · SEN

Senate HELP Committee chairman blamed for delaying Casey Means’s nomination

Cassidy's version of this story ↗
Susan M. Collins
R · ME · SEN

Senator described as one of the senators whose opposition stalled Means’s nomination

Lisa Murkowski
R · AK · SEN

Senator described as one of the senators whose opposition stalled Means’s nomination

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
R · Secretary of Health and Human Services

Health and Human Services secretary who criticized Cassidy over the nomination delay

ALSO MENTIONED  Casey Means, Surgeon General nominee whose nomination Trump withdrew; Nicole Saphier, Trump’s announced choice to be the next Surgeon General; Anthony Fauci, Former public health official mentioned in criticism of Nesheiwat’s COVID positions; Calley Means, Casey Means’s brother and an HHS consultant who criticized Cassidy; Janette Nesheiwat, Trump’s earlier Surgeon General nominee whose nomination was withdrawn; Mike Pence, Former vice president mentioned in connection with a group that Calley Means said criticized Casey Means

Part of a bigger story

7 OUTLETS
Trump Withdraws Casey Means and Nominates Saphier for Surgeon General

Outlets report that Trump withdrew Casey Means as his surgeon general nominee, named Nicole Saphier as her replacement, and criticized Sen. Bill Cassidy over the stalled confirmation. Left-leaning outlets center Trump's call for Louisiana Republicans to vote Cassidy out over his role in the stalled nomination. Center outlets pair the switch and Trump's criticism of Cassidy with senators' concerns about Means's vaccine views. Right-leaning outlets stress Trump's attacks on Cassidy over the delay, with one also invoking his impeachment vote and primary standing and another casting him as obstructing a health movement.

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