President Trump’s pick for surgeon general faced questions on vaccines, vaping and the CDC’s refusal to publish data on measles deaths in Pennsylvania at a Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday.
Dr. Nicole Saphier, a radiologist and former Fox News contributor, is Trump’s third nominee to lead the nation’s public health office. She was questioned by Sen. Bill Cassidy, a physician and the committee chair from Louisiana, on whether vaccines cause autism. She answered firmly that they do not.
The Autism Question
Cassidy framed the exchange as a slight departure from his own past experience with wiggle room on the topic. Saphier denied seeing any repeatable evidence linking vaccines to autism.
She also clarified her position on the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella. The MMR vaccine is the greatest tool for combating measles, she said, and she rejected any suggestion that vaccines are linked to autism.
Her answers put her at odds with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who would be her boss if she is confirmed, and with President Trump. Saphier’s position departs from both men’s views on the issue.
Vaping and Fruit Flavors
Sen. Susan Collins, also on the committee, turned to a different public health concern: flavored e-cigarettes. She asked Saphier about the FDA’s decision to allow fruit-flavored vapes.
Saphier responded that as a physician she does not want anyone smoking anything. But she added a caveat: if a flavor can entice an adult to quit smoking cigarettes, it might be worth considering.
The position reflects a tension familiar to public health officials — balancing harm reduction for adults against the risk that flavors draw young people toward nicotine addiction.
Measles Deaths and Transparency
Two other Trump picks were questioned at the hearing. Chris Klomp, a former health tech executive, is up for deputy health secretary, a position that would make him second in command to Kennedy if confirmed.
Cassidy questioned Klomp about measles-associated deaths in Pennsylvania. The CDC has refused to publish those deaths on its measles website page.
Klomp agreed on the need for transparency in government health agencies like the CDC. He also supported proper policy discussion and said the goal should be promoting vaccination for measles to achieve or maintain elimination status.
The Hearing’s Setting
The Senate committee on health held a confirmation hearing for three top health officials, including the surgeon general post. The hearing was reported by NPR’s Rachel Carlson.
The stakes are real. The surgeon general speaks for the nation’s doctors, and the office carries weight with the public and with smaller health providers who rely on clear guidance.
Saphier’s answers on autism were direct. That consistency matters because the office she would hold has been used by others to question established science.
What This Means
The hearing showed a nominee willing to reject popular misinformation and a deputy nominee willing to push back on bureaucratic secrecy. Both positions are defensible.
The FDA’s decision on flavored vapes deserves scrutiny too.
Whether Klomp can push the CDC to publish the Pennsylvania data remains to be seen.
The full Senate will have the final word on both nominees. For now, the country has heard what each of them believes — and that is a start.
Key Facts Box
- Nominees: Dr. Nicole Saphier (surgeon general), Chris Klomp (deputy health secretary)
- Questioner: Sen. Bill Cassidy (physician, committee chair)
- Vaccine stance: Saphier denies seeing repeatable evidence linking vaccines to autism
- Vape stance: Saphier opposes smoking anything but considers flavors for adult cessation
- Measles deaths: CDC refuses to publish Pennsylvania data on its website
- Next step: Committee votes on recommending nominees to full Senate
- Reported by: NPR’s Rachel Carlson
The hearing was a test, and Saphier’s answers were consistent with established medical consensus. Whether Klomp can push the CDC to publish the Pennsylvania data remains to be seen.
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