Trump’s SG Nominee Accidentally Killed Her Father?

Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, President-elect Donald Trump’s controversial pick for Surgeon General, is facing scrutiny after revelations about a childhood tragedy that shaped her career in medicine.

At just 13 years old, Nesheiwat accidentally caused the gunshot that killed her father, an incident she had previously described only in vague terms as an inspiration for her medical journey.

The details, unearthed in a New York Times report, recount a devastating incident in February 1990 at her family’s Florida home. Early one morning, a teenage Nesheiwat was searching for scissors in a tacklebox stored on a shelf above her father’s bed. As she rummaged, a loaded .380 caliber handgun fell from the container, discharged, and struck her father, 44-year-old chemist Fuad Nesheiwat, in the head.

“Something fell out of it, and there was a loud noise,” a shaken Nesheiwat told police at the time. “I saw blood on my father’s ear.”

Her father died the following day at an Orlando hospital. Authorities ruled the incident a freak accident.

This tragic moment has loomed large in Nesheiwat’s life. In her forthcoming memoir, she writes, “When I was 13 years old, I helplessly watched my dear father dying from an accident as blood was spurting everywhere. I couldn’t save his life. This was the start of my personal journey in life to become a physician.”

However, the memoir avoids mentioning her direct role in the event, a choice critics are calling into question.

A Career Inspired by Tragedy

Nesheiwat’s rise to prominence as an urgent care physician in New York and New Jersey reflects a life dedicated to healing. She frequently cites her father’s death and her mother’s work as a pediatric nurse as pivotal influences in her decision to pursue medicine.

“She became a physician to save lives, and that dedication is why President Trump nominated Dr. Nesheiwat to be our next Surgeon General,” a spokesperson for Trump’s transition team told the Times. “Her family misses their father deeply and hopes he’s proud of the work they’ve done.”

Her nomination comes amid Trump’s efforts to assemble a team of loyal allies, many of whom, like Nesheiwat, have connections to Fox News. Nesheiwat has appeared on the network as a medical contributor, bolstering her public profile.

Political and Family Ties

Nesheiwat’s family is no stranger to high-profile positions. Her older sister, Julia, served as a homeland security advisor to Trump and is married to Rep. Michael Waltz (R-FL), who Trump announced will serve as his national security advisor. Her younger sister, Jaclyn, is a former model and the wife of Creed frontman Scott Stapp.

These connections have drawn both admiration and criticism, with some questioning whether Nesheiwat’s familial ties influenced her nomination.

Gun Violence and Public Health

The nomination also raises questions about Nesheiwat’s stance on gun violence. The outgoing Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, declared gun violence a public health crisis earlier this year, sparking debate over whether Nesheiwat will adopt a similar position if confirmed.

Her personal history with firearms and tragedy could uniquely position her to address the issue. However, she has remained silent on the topic publicly, leaving advocates and lawmakers alike to wonder whether she will champion gun reform as part of her platform.

“Dr. Nesheiwat will play a pivotal role in making America healthy again!” Trump declared in a statement announcing her nomination.

As the Senate prepares for her confirmation hearings, Nesheiwat’s past—and her vision for public health—will undoubtedly be under intense scrutiny.