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Trump replaces surgeon general pick Casey Means with radiologist Nicole Saphier

Trump withdrew Means and announced Saphier as his new surgeon general nominee, explaining the change in social media posts.

Trump replaces surgeon general pick Casey Means with radiologist Nicole Saphier
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This article1 analysis · Oct 7, 2026

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Republished from Thenationaldesk. The relationship between the two publishers has not been determined.

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Wgmevia Thenationaldesk
Apr 30, 2026
tl;dr

President Donald Trump withdrew Casey Means as his surgeon general pick and announced radiologist Nicole Saphier as his replacement, saying Senator Bill Cassidy had blocked a confirmation vote. The report also describes concerns Cassidy and Senator Lisa Murkowski raised about Means’ vaccine views.

Community verdict

23 VOTES
How does this story look for
Donald Trump R · President of the United States
● OPEN

People in this story

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Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who withdrew Casey Means as his surgeon general pick and nominated Nicole Saphier

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Bill Cassidy
R · LA · SEN

Senator whose role in delaying Casey Means’ nomination is cited by Trump as the reason for the change

Cassidy's version of this story ↗
Lisa Murkowski
R · AK · SEN

Senator who raised concerns about Means’ vaccine views

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

Health and Human Services Secretary who recommended Means for the role

ALSO MENTIONED  Calley Means, Senior White House adviser and Casey Means’ brother; Casey Means, Surgeon general nominee whose nomination Trump withdrew; Janette Nesheiwat, Earlier surgeon general pick whose consideration Trump withdrew; Nicole Saphier, Radiologist and new surgeon general nominee

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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