Trump’s Controversial Surgeon General Pick Dr. Janette Nesheiwat Faces Backlash Over Past Vaccine, Double Masking, and Social Media Censorship Comments
President Donald Trump’s latest nominee for Surgeon General, Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, has sparked a significant controversy among conservatives due to her previous public endorsements of COVID-19 vaccinations and mask mandates.
To her credit, Dr. Nesheiwat has since adjusted her stance as more data became available. She criticized the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for its handling of the vaccine’s rollout and mandates, particularly its impact on children.
Trump’s pick for Surgeon General, Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, blasts the CDC to Tucker Carlson in 2022:
“There’s no good reason to have a vaccine that can’t stop disease, can’t stop transmission. On the childhood schedule….This vote was irresponsible and illogical.” pic.twitter.com/YSkBG3xhWQ
— Tucker Carlson Network Fan Account (@TCNetworkFans) November 23, 2024
Despite her recent reversals on these positions, critics argue that these initial missteps reflect poor judgment.
Critics highlight Nesheiwat’s comments during the pandemic, where she strongly endorsed COVID-19 vaccines, masking protocols, and even praised social media censorship of vaccine skeptics.
She championed booster shots and backed policies like double-masking and vaccinating children, citing studies and data from the CDC.
Her public statements emphasized the importance of vaccines in reducing hospitalizations and deaths.
Vaccines, Tests, Meds & Masks are all beneficial in combating covid. It’s not just one or the other. @FoxNews @GowdyAmerica #health #safety pic.twitter.com/WK4SFfnNYo
— Dr Janette Nesheiwat (@DoctorJanette) January 13, 2022
At one point, she even commended Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg for censoring “anti-vaccine” content, saying she hoped other platforms would “follow suit.”
Trump’s Surgeon General nominee Dr. Janette Nesheiwat praising Facebook for censoring “anti-vaxx” info & hoping other social networks censor people too.
The Senate should NOT confirm her.
Tag your Senator.pic.twitter.com/9d8pDfpHyE
— Liz Wheeler (@Liz_Wheeler) November 23, 2024
Her statements on double-masking were particularly contentious, something Fauci would say. Nesheiwat claimed, “Wearing two masks will likely give you more protection—between 15 and 20%.”
Trump’s Surgeon General pick, @DoctorJanette, was an advocate of wearing 2 masks – not just 1 – to prevent the spread of COVID. This alone ought to be enough to disqualify her. https://t.co/4tgIJHWMbi pic.twitter.com/jOuVH1mLgn
— Don Wolt (@tlowdon) November 23, 2024