{"id":2609713,"date":"2026-06-02T17:26:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-02T21:26:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dr-oz-forces-press-to-cover-trumps-healthcare-agenda\/"},"modified":"2026-06-02T17:27:39","modified_gmt":"2026-06-02T21:27:39","slug":"dr-oz-forces-press-to-cover-trumps-healthcare-agenda","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dr-oz-forces-press-to-cover-trumps-healthcare-agenda\/","title":{"rendered":"Dr. Oz forces press to cover Trump&#8217;s healthcare agenda"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fdr-oz-forces-press-to-cover-trumps-healthcare-agenda%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2609713&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>At Tuesday\u2019s White House briefing, CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz-filling in while Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is out on maternity leave-took center stage and steered the discussion toward healthcare, especially Medicaid and Medicare. Press questions focused largely on issues such as the Ebola crisis, COVID-era vaccine mandates, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/what-you-need-to-know-about-trumps-latest-drug-pricing-moves\/\" title=\"What You Need To Know About Trump...s Latest ...ug Pricing Moves\">drug pricing<\/a>, and efforts to crack down on Medicaid fraud, while other topics received little to no attention-most notably the Iran war, where reporters reported they were not asked a single question.<\/p>\n<p>Oz also faced a few queries about bill Pulte being tapped to replace Tulsi Gabbard as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/newly-declassified-docs-reveal-trump-impeachment-whistleblower-was-a-democrat-crony\/\" title=\"Docs Show Impeachment &#039;Whistleblower&#039; Was A Democrat Crony\">acting national intelligence director<\/a>, but he largely deflected-saying he didn\u2019t know more than reporters did, noting he knows Pulte socially, and expressing confidence in the president\u2019s judgment. His performance-described as adept at answering healthcare questions and deflecting beyond his lane-was presented as a strong showing and an indicator that the administration has confidence in him, following earlier appearances by Rubio, Vance, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The White House press corp was left largely looking for answers on Tuesday after <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/dr-mehmet-oz\/\">Mehmet Oz<\/a> was tapped to headline the press briefing, thereby ensuring the agenda focused mostly on healthcare as opposed to more controversial subjects.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The appearance by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator meant that pressing questions on subjects such as the appointment of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/bill-pulte\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"22738\">Bill Pulte<\/a> as acting national intelligence director, updates about the Iran war, and the Department of Justice\u2019s weaponization fund were either largely sidestepped or simply not addressed.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4592077\/blanche-weaponization-fund-dead-for-good\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Todd Blanche says DOJ will not move forward with anti-weaponization fund<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4589290\/oz-white-house-healthcare-agenda\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>\u2018I love Medicaid\u2019: Dr. Oz forces press corps to cover White House\u2019s healthcare agenda<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4591573\/dr-oz-advice-trump-derangement-syndrome\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Dr. Oz offers advice to sufferers of \u2018Trump derangement syndrome\u2019: \u2018Treating stupid is really hard\u2019<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019m here because I love Medicaid,\u201d Oz, the latest substitute for Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt while she is out on maternity leave, said during the nearly 40-minute briefing. \u201cThe president has already said he loves and cherishes Medicaid and Medicare. \u2026 Medicaid, in particular, is the ultimate payer of last resort. We cannot allow these programs to be defrauded into a turmoil that they cannot pull up from.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tuesday\u2019s event saw the White House press corps mostly pepper Oz with healthcare-related questions, including the growing Ebola crisis, COVID-era vaccine mandates, most<a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >-favored-nation drug pricing agreements<\/a>, and cracking down on Medicaid fraud. He was not asked a single question about the Iran war, even as negotiations for a long-term peace deal appear to be faltering.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Tuesday, June 2, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oz\u2019s appearance at the podium follows Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vice President JD Vance, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who have all held press briefings while Leavitt remains out on maternity leave for her second child.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although not as charismatic as Rubio, who <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4558079\/rubio-white-house-moment-america-first-glimpse-post-trump\/\">shone<\/a> in his press briefing, Oz\u2019s ability to deftly answer questions, defend the administration, and deflect on questions outside of his purview marked a strong appearance for the CMS administrator, who spent more than a decade hosting the <em>Dr. Oz Show<\/em>, created by Oprah Winfrey\u2019s Harpo Productions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI think Scott Bessent\u2019s dry humor is fabulous,\u201d Oz said as he ranked the Cabinet members\u2019 turn filling in for Leavitt. \u201cMarco is just an earnestly funny person. We can tell all kinds of stories about Marco\u2019s entertaining commentary. I think JD was spectacular, you know. He\u2019s just very on his game, understands the issues, and he understands the American people. \u2026 I appreciated his presentation so much, and I did watch them all, by the way, just to prepare.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oz fielded a few questions about Pulte, the Federal Housing Finance Agency director and chairman of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, to replace <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/tulsi-gabbard\/\">Tulsi Gabbard<\/a> as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/developing-trump-to-meet-with-acting-defense-secretary-chris-miller-in-the-oval-office-at-330-pm\/\" title=\"DEVELOPING: Trump to Meet with Acting Defense ... Chris Miller in the Oval Office at 3:30 PM\">acting director<\/a> of national intelligence, but he largely deflected. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI don\u2019t know anything more about Bill Pulte than you do,\u201d Oz told reporters. \u201cI did not think that would be one of the questions that would even come up here. I hadn\u2019t even heard the news when I walked out.\u201d <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oz also said, \u201cBill is a great guy, I know him socially.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019ve not worked with him in his current job,\u201d he said. \u201cBut I do trust the president\u2019s judgment. He is a very sharp and quick study of people, their emotional abilities, and their ability to persevere in the face of hardship. So, I have confidence in his decision.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4591573\/dr-oz-advice-trump-derangement-syndrome\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4591573\/dr-oz-advice-trump-derangement-syndrome\/\">DR. OZ OFFERS ADVICE TO SUFFERERS OF \u2018TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME\u2019: \u2018TREATING STUPID IS REALLY HARD\u2019<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Notably, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has not yet held a press briefing, but Oz\u2019s appearance is an indication of his standing in the administration.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cGiven Marco Rubio, Vance, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent preceded Oz at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/rocky-psaki-new-white-house-press-secretary-off-to-bumpy-start\/\" title=\"Rocky Psaki: New ... Press ... Off To Bumpy Start\">briefing room podium<\/a> in the Brady room, it is certainly a sign that President Trump is happy with Oz\u2019s work,\u201d said one Republican with ties to the White House. \u201cThey are not going to put somebody up there who they feel uncomfortable with. Particularly given the hostility of some of the members of the White House press corps towards the administration.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mehmet Oz headlined; health dominated as harder questions sidestepped<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2658,"featured_media":2609714,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26153686502341.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[45345,41035,32140,80723,80724],"class_list":["post-2609713","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-dr-oz","tag-healthcare-reform","tag-media-coverage","tag-press-pressure","tag-trumps-healthcare-agenda"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26153686502341.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2609713","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2658"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2609713"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2609713\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2609721,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2609713\/revisions\/2609721"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2609714"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2609713"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2609713"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2609713"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}