A Q&A session with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office abruptly ended on Friday after a young girl fainted, according to the New York Post. Right away, White House staff rushed to manage the situation. They asked reporters and photographers to leave. The media had gathered to cover the swearing-in of Mehmet Oz as the new Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). “Everybody out, please move,” a White House aide ordered through the pooled video feed. The same aide warned the media, “No photos!” according to NYP.
Girl Identified as Oz’s Granddaughter
At that moment, 64-year-old Mehmet Oz had just finished taking his oath. President Trump had started taking questions from the press when the girl collapsed. People and TMZ later identified her as Philomena, Oz’s 11-year-old granddaughter. Trump immediately walked over to check on the child while officials escorted the press out of the room. “A minor family member fainted during Dr. Oz’s swearing in ceremony in the Oval Office,” a White House official stated, as quoted by NYP. “We are happy to say she is OK.”
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Led the Swearing-In
The White House later confirmed the ceremony on social media. In a post on X, it wrote:
“Dr Oz has officially been sworn in as the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services by Robert F Kennedy, Jr in the Oval Office!”
Trump Vows No Cuts to Medicare or Medicaid
President Trump praised Oz’s appointment. He also made a strong promise about health care programs. “As Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator, Dr. Oz will work tirelessly to strengthen and protect Medicare for our nation’s older people & Medicaid… there will be NO CUTS,” Trump said.
Oz Shares His Vision for CMS
Now serving as the 17th Administrator of CMS, Oz has started outlining his goals. According to the CMS website, he is a cardiothoracic surgeon and a former award-winning TV show host. He now leads the Department of Health and Human Services’ largest agency. It has a $1.7 trillion budget and serves over 160 million Americans. Oz thanked Trump and Kennedy for trusting him with the role. “I want to thank President Trump and Secretary Kennedy for their confidence in my ability to lead CMS in achieving their vision older people to Make America Healthy Again,” he said.
He also spoke about the mission ahead. “Great societies protect their most vulnerable. As stewards of the health of so many Americans — especially disadvantaged youth, those with disabilities, and our older people, the CMS team is dedicated to delivering superior health outcomes across each program we administer. America is too great for small dreams, and I’m ready to get work on the President’s agenda,” CMS quoted Oz as saying.
