Donald Trump’s pick for Surgeon General, Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, has sparked significant backlash among MAGA supporters and conservative commentators, who argue that her views on key health and social issues are out of step with their values. Critics are calling on Trump to withdraw her nomination, citing her positions on COVID-19 policies, vaccine advocacy, and comments on gender identity.
Dr. Nesheiwat’s past statements on the COVID-19 pandemic have been a point of contention. In interviews and on social media, she strongly advocated for lockdowns, vaccine mandates, and combating what she described as “misinformation” about the virus.
In one instance, Nesheiwat lauded Facebook for taking action against vaccine skepticism, saying:
“This [COVID-19] affects our children. It affects adults… Look at the recent measles outbreak, the biggest outbreak that we’ve had in decades… So it’s about time that [Facebook] is taking action, and I hope and pray that other social media platforms will follow suit.”
Her comments aligned with mainstream public health narratives but alienated many Trump supporters who viewed such policies as an overreach that infringed on personal freedoms.
In 2021, Nesheiwat also expressed support for President Joe Biden’s vaccine push, emphasizing the importance of eliminating “vaccine hesitancy and misinformation.” Her stance on this issue has drawn fire from conservatives who believe that public health measures during the pandemic were excessive and harmful.
One of the most inflammatory criticisms of Nesheiwat stems from her remarks on gender identity during a Fox News interview. Speaking about children experiencing gender dysphoria, she described it as “a disconnect, a mismatch between how they feel and what a doctor assigned them as a gender at birth.”
She added that addressing this issue required sensitivity, citing high suicide rates among transgender adolescents as a reason to take the condition seriously.
These comments triggered outrage among conservative pundits, who argued that referring to gender as “assigned at birth” echoes left-wing ideology. Critics contend that such language denies biological reality and aligns with the progressive push to redefine gender as a social construct rather than a biological constant determined at conception.
Commentators from conservative outlets have been vocal in their disapproval of Nesheiwat’s nomination. Catherine Salgado, writing for PJ Media, criticized her as being out of touch with Trump’s voter base, saying:
“Trump’s surgeon general pick not only expressed pro-abortion views in the past, but she was also an enthusiastic supporter of disastrous COVID-19 lockdown and vaccine policies — and censorship of all those who disagreed with her.”
Others pointed to her stance on gender identity as a dealbreaker, accusing her of parroting the left’s “radical narrative” and betraying conservative values.
Conservative writer Ben Bartee added:
“Shame on whatever pharma industry toolbag wormed their way into Trump’s ear and convinced him to make such a poor decision, one that amounts to spitting in the face of every one of his voters who elected him out of exhaustion and fury with the Public Health™ system.”
Critics argue that Nesheiwat’s comments on gender identity undermine scientific consensus and religious beliefs held by many in the conservative movement. They insist that gender is determined biologically at conception, encoded in every cell, and cannot be changed by medical intervention or personal identification.
These critics also question the validity of the claim that affirming transgender identities reduces suicide risk among adolescents, suggesting instead that mental health challenges among these individuals stem from deeper issues unrelated to societal acceptance.
Many Trump supporters feel betrayed by Nesheiwat’s nomination, asserting that it contradicts the principles they voted for. They demand a Surgeon General who aligns with their views on personal freedom, skepticism of big government public health measures, and adherence to biological definitions of sex and gender.
As the backlash grows, some conservative commentators have called for Trump to reconsider his decision. They argue that selecting a nominee with a strong record of advocating for limited government intervention and traditional values would better reflect the priorities of his voter base.
The controversy over Nesheiwat’s nomination could have broader implications for Trump’s standing among his supporters. While his base has largely remained loyal, incidents like this highlight potential cracks in the alignment between Trump’s decisions and the expectations of his core voters.
For Trump, whose campaign relies heavily on energizing his MAGA base, addressing these concerns may be critical. Whether he chooses to stand by Nesheiwat or withdraw her nomination, the decision will likely signal how he plans to navigate issues of public health, social policy, and loyalty to his supporters in the lead-up to the next election.
In the meantime, the debate underscores the complexities of balancing political expediency, public health expertise, and ideological alignment in high-profile appointments.
2 Comments
I hope Trump wakes up in time to withdraw her nomination. We don’t need any more GBLTQ-WXYZ & child-mutilating monsters in positions of power.
This woman, who looks like a trans, needs to be gone Mr Trump..She sounds very left, liberal with her comments… America does not want more of this…Pick someone else!!!!