Dr. Mehmet Oz, who Trump appointed to run the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, is facing criticism after making remarks dismissing Americans who oppose Trump or disagree with his administration’s policies.
During a White House press briefing on Tuesday, Oz was asked by a conservative media personality whether he had any medical advice for Americans allegedly suffering from what supporters of the president often call “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” In response, Oz said he was concerned about people who had devoted their lives to disliking Trump and described them as “lost.” He then added, “Treating stupid is really hard.”
The comments quickly sparked controversy, with critics arguing that Oz had insulted millions of Americans who oppose Trump for political, ideological, or policy reasons. Opponents said the remarks were particularly striking coming from a senior government official overseeing major federal health programs.
Supporters of the administration defended Oz, arguing that his comments were directed at extreme political obsessiveness rather than ordinary voters who disagree with the president. Conservative outlets highlighted the exchange as a lighthearted response to a provocative question from a reporter.
The episode added to an already eventful briefing in which Oz fielded questions on health care policy and President Trump’s health. While he largely avoided discussing unrelated political controversies, his closing remarks generated headlines and renewed debate over the increasingly heated rhetoric surrounding American politics.
The exchange underscores the deep political divisions in the United States, where criticism of political opponents is increasingly common among officials and commentators on both sides of the aisle. For many observers, Oz’s comments reflected how quickly political disagreements can shift from debates over policy to personal attacks.