Story perspectives

Trump Nominates Nicole Saphier as Surgeon General Despite Conflicts

By Drooid · Sep 15, 2026, 4:58 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump nominated Dr. Nicole Saphier as United States surgeon general.
Saphier reported $270,605 business income from Empower MD, LLC, which sells Drop RX dietary supplements.
She disclosed investments in Philip Morris International and British American Tobacco and pledged to divest within 90 days of confirmation.
Critics like Dr. Peter Lurie called the ties concerning.
One Drop RX product contains FDA-warned kava kava, linked to liver damage.

1 of 1

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump nominated Dr. Nicole Saphier as United States surgeon general.
Saphier reported $270,605 business income from Empower MD, LLC, which sells Drop RX dietary supplements.
She disclosed investments in Philip Morris International and British American Tobacco and pledged to divest within 90 days of confirmation.
Critics like Dr. Peter Lurie called the ties concerning.
One Drop RX product contains FDA-warned kava kava, linked to liver damage.