A White House press conference came to an unexpected halt after a medical emergency occurred during the swearing-in ceremony of Dr. Mehmet Oz as the new Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
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| Credit: Fox via YouTube |
Dr. Oz, a well-known television personality and cardiothoracic surgeon, was being formally introduced to his new role under President Donald Trump’s administration when the incident took place. According to The Irish Star, the event was interrupted when a young girl collapsed mid-ceremony.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt quickly responded, urging the press to leave the room. “Press out,” she instructed as staff moved to address the situation.
President Trump immediately paused his remarks and left the podium to check on the individual. “I hope she’s OK,” he was heard saying. Dr. Oz also stepped away from the ceremony to assist.
Footage from the event showed the girl being escorted from the room. Later, the White House confirmed that the individual who fainted was a minor family member and that she had since recovered.
“A MINOR FAMILY MEMBER FAINTED DURING DR. OZ’S SWEARING-IN CEREMONY IN THE OVAL OFFICE. WE ARE HAPPY TO SAY SHE IS OK,”
Read the official statement.
WATCH:
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) April 18, 2025
Moments ago, something happened in the Oval Office that resulted in everyone being kicked out of the room abruptly, while President Trump was speaking.
“Press out! Everybody get out, right now!”
It appears there may have been a medical emergency of some sort. Dr. Oz… pic.twitter.com/lBFDBmX3B9
Prior to the interruption, Trump had praised Dr. Oz as “one of the nation’s most talented and beloved medical professionals,” citing his academic background and extensive medical career. Dr. Oz holds a degree from Harvard, as well as both an MD and MBA from the University of Pennsylvania and Wharton School.
His professional experience includes serving as a heart surgeon and professor of cardiac surgery at Columbia University, and as Director of the Cardiovascular Institute and integrative medicine program at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.
Dr. Oz rose to fame as host of The Dr. Oz Show, which ran from 2009 to 2022. The show attracted both acclaim and criticism, particularly for segments that featured unverified health claims—such as his endorsement of green coffee extract for weight loss, which was later criticized by the Federal Trade Commission.
Despite the controversies, Dr. Oz’s nomination to lead CMS was confirmed by the Senate earlier this month in a 53–45 vote.
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