TV doctor from promoting controversial weight loss products to the Minister of Health

« Tightly, controversial and politically heated. » So is a television network Cnn described the vote by which the US Senate confirmed the appointment dr. Mehmeta ot For the Minister of Health in the President’s Administration Donald Trump. For a man who has reigned on American television screens for over a decadethis is undoubtedly a surprising political rise.

The ministerial function he has taken over or is in fact the position of director of an important US agency Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). It is a key institution governing healthcare for millions of Americans, especially those with lower income. Despite the warnings and protests of the professional public, he became the first television star at the helm of such an important medical institution, reports Politics.

Who is the man who now takes over the rudder of US health?

Dr. Mehmet Cengiz OZ was born in 1960 to Turkish immigrants in Cleveland, USA. He graduated in biology from the prestigious Harvard University and then obtained a doctorate in medicine and a master’s degree in management at the University of Pennsylvania, reports Such as. As a cardiotoracic surgeon, he has created a top expert’s reputation; He worked at Columbia University in New York, where he was even Vice President of the Department of Surgery.

But he achieved international recognition elsewhere – on television. He began his career as a frequent guest in shows Oprah Winfreywhich opened his way to his own show. In 2009 is the show The Dr. Oz show For the first time, it attracted millions of viewers. In 13 seasons he became one of the most famous American television faces and won nine Emmy awards, adds Guardian. On television career, he built a real business empire – with books, magazines and nutritional supplements. His assets are estimated at about one hundred million dollars, reports La Times.

From pseudoscience to hearing before the Senate

Oz’s appointment has raised a lot of dust due to its promotion of « miraculous » weight loss products and pseudoscientific theories. Critics date back to 2014, when he had to testify or testify to the US Senate for misleading advertising « Wonderful Tablets for Weight Loss, » reports Politics. He was strongly condemned by the two parties at the time, saying that he was misleading viewers in hunting for higher viewership and huge earnings by promoting non -existence preparations. OZ defended that he wanted to impress viewers for a healthy life.

But the critics did not fall. In 2015, ten reputable doctors publicly called on Columbia University to deprive the OZU professor’s title because he « encouraged charlatanism » and « threaten the integrity of science », reports. Guardian. He was supported by the university, but his reputation in the professional public remained strongly.

Critics at the expense of the show have continued in the coming years. A study published in the renowned BMJ magazine found that only 46 percent of its recommendations had a scientific basis. The rest was at best unverified, and at worst even harmful, the Guardian warns.

A close alliance with Trump and a way into politics

Dr. Oz did not stop at the media glory. His path soon turned into political waters, closely linked to Donald Trump. He used him during the 2016 presidential campaign as a media platform to show his « excellent fitness ». In 2018, Trump appointed him to the Presidential Council for Sport, Fitness and Nutrition, where he remained until 2022, reports Reuters.

During the 2016 presidential campaign, Trump used him as a media platform to show his « excellent fitness ». Photo: ED Jones/AFP

The political bond was further strengthened during the Covida-19 pandemic. OZ was a loud advocate for the use of hydroxychlorokin as a medicine against Covidu-19, although the profession strongly rejected it. It even turned out to have had personal financial benefits through shares from companies that produced this medicine, which further undermined his credibility, warns National Nurses United.

In 2022 he or she ran for a senator in Pennsylvania, with Trump strongly supported by Trump. He lost the election, but remained near Trump’s political circle. He also worked with Roberto F. Kennedy youngerknown opponents of vaccination, in the joint project « Make American Healthy Again », which opposes compulsory vaccination, among others, reports Independent.

The first television physician in a ministerial position in American history

After Trump’s re -victory in 2024, a nearly self -explanatory nomination followed by the CMS Health Agency. « It’s time to make America healthy again, » he said at the appointment. His appointment was confirmed by the US Senate only after a sharp and tense vote – 53 votes for and 45 against, exclusively by party line, Republicans who have a majority in the Senate were expected to be confirmed.

« It’s a disaster recipe, » the professor warned Timothy Caulfield. « Keeping the CMS agency requires proven professionalism and respect for science, not a known television face, » he adds Lawrence caterers from the University of Georgetown, reports Such as.

Trump and or further strengthened the political bond during the Covida-19 pandemic. OZ was a loud advocate for the use of hydroxychlorokin as a medicine against Covidu-19, although the profession strongly rejected it. Photo: Mike Segar/Reuters

But he insists that he will introduce a new approach to US health, based on prevention and personal responsibility, much like in his show. Critics, however, point out that this can be a high risk to public health.