Trump surgeon general nominee discloses investments in tobacco and beverage companies

  • Nicole Saphier agreed to divest holdings in more than 200 companies if confirmed as surgeon general.
  • More than 200 companies include Philip Morris, Coca-Cola, Eli Lilly, Apple, Exxon Mobil and Chevron.
  • Saphier’s Senate confirmation hearing is scheduled for Sept. 16, following two earlier nominations for the post.

President Donald Trump’s nominee for surgeon general, Dr. Nicole Saphier, disclosed investments in tobacco, beverage, pharmaceutical, healthcare, technology and energy companies in an ethics agreement. She agreed to divest holdings in more than 200 companies within 90 days of confirmation, including Philip Morris International, Altria Group, British American Tobacco, McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Monster Beverage, Starbucks and Yum Brands. She also agreed to sell stakes in Eli Lilly, Merck, AbbVie, UnitedHealth Group, CVS Health, Apple, Nvidia, Meta Platforms, Amazon, Exxon Mobil and Chevron. Johnson & Johnson, JPMorgan Chase, Microsoft and Pfizer will be only partially divested because some holdings are held through two LLCs. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has promoted a federal campaign against sugary beverages and processed foods. Saphier, a radiologist and former Fox News contributor, is director of breast imaging and an associate attending physician at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York and plans to take unpaid leave if confirmed. She founded DropRx, which sells physician-formulated herbal supplements. Her Senate confirmation hearing is scheduled for Sept. 16. Philip Morris shares closed 2.19% higher at $189.77 and rose 0.13% in extended trading on Thursday.

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