Trump Surgeon General Nominee Discloses Tobacco and Pharma Investments

Nicole Saphier, Donald Trump's surgeon general nominee, has disclosed investments in tobacco and pharmaceutical companies. Her financial disclosures revealed holdings in Philip Morris International, Monster Beverage Corp, Coca-Cola Co, and PepsiCo. The nominee also reported stock in several pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry leaders.

Saphier pledged to divest from these companies as part of an ethics agreement. She is taking an unpaid leave of absence from her position at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Monmouth in New Jersey. As a champion of healthy eating, Saphier has advocated for removing food additives and encouraging exercise.

The surgeon general nominee's Senate confirmation hearing is scheduled for September 16. The Trump administration's third attempt to fill the position comes after two previous nominees were pulled due to lack of support in the Senate.