Dr. Mehmet Oz’s swearing-in ceremony as Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on April 18, 2025, took an unexpected turn when his 11-year-old granddaughter, Philomena, fainted during President Donald Trump’s remarks in the Oval Office. Internet Archive+4EW.com+4People.com+4
The event began with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. officiating the ceremony. Dr. Oz was joined by his wife Lisa, their children, and grandchildren, including Philomena. As President Trump addressed the press, discussing topics including nuclear threats from Iran, Philomena collapsed near the Resolute Desk. EW.com+2People.com+2Fox News+2
In video footage of the incident, a bystander is heard exclaiming, “Philo fainted, Philo fainted,” prompting Dr. Oz to rush to his granddaughter’s side. White House aides swiftly evacuated the press from the room, with one official instructing, “Press out, everybody out!” The cameras did not capture the moment of the fainting, but later footage showed Philomena being assisted out of the room by family members. EW.com+1People.com+1People.com
A White House spokesperson later confirmed that Philomena had recovered and was doing well. Dr. Oz, known for his medical background and previous television career, had recently been confirmed by the Senate to lead CMS, overseeing healthcare for over 66 million Medicare and 88 million Medicaid recipients. People.com+1EW.com+1C-SPAN+8EW.com+8People.com+8
This incident underscores the unpredictable nature of live events and the importance of immediate medical attention in emergencies.
