Dr Mehmet Oz’s swearing-in ceremony as Donald Trump’s administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on Friday wasn’t short on unprecedented drama. The event came to an abrupt end during the US president’s QnA session in the Oval Office. Video clips of the incident, now viral on social media, showed White House aides jumping to action as a medical emergency took centre stage.
“Everybody out, please move,” a White House official was heard saying when Dr Oz’s 11-year-old granddaughter Philomena reportedly collapsed. Sworn in by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr in the White House’s Oval Office, Oz, too, darted off to check on his granddaughter. The event’s footage unveiled commotion breaking out on the floor while one of the new Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrator’s daughter is heard saying, “Philo fainted, Philo fainted. Dad, go!”
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White House aides urged reporters to ‘get out’
Meanwhile, White House aides instantly signalled reporters and others to clear out the room: “Get out right now.” An aide is heard saying, “No photos.” With the chaos unfolding in the Oval Office, the cameras couldn’t catch sight of Oz’s granddaughter actually fainting at the event. Oz’s wife Lisa, son Oliver, daughters Daphne, Arabella and Zoe were also in attendance alongside his grandchildren for the big day. Earlier this month, the celebrity doctor’s new post was confirmed after a 53-45 Senate vote.
Before the camera abruptly cut off, they were able to spot Daphne and Oliver helping an apparently ill Philomena as they walked out of the room.
White House officially comments on Oval Office medical emergency during Dr Oz’s swearing in
A White House spokesperson has since issued a statement to People, saying, “A minor family member fainted during Dr Oz’s swearing in ceremony in the Oval Office. We are happy to say she is okay.”
Far-right activist Laura Loomer was one among many to share the clip of the Oval Office medical emergency on social media platform X. “Moments ago, something happened in the Oval Office that resulted in everyone being kicked out of the room abruptly, while President Trump was speaking,” she tweeted online.
“‘Press out! Everybody get out, right now!’ It appears there may have been a medical emergency of some sort. Dr. Oz @DrOz ran over to help.” In a follow-up tweet, she added, “It appears a young girl had some type of medical issue. President Trump walked over to assist.
