House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has no qualms about expressing his disdain for Dr. Mehmet Oz, going as far as to call him a 'joke'. During a press conference amidst the ongoing government shutdown, Jeffries, 55, took a swipe at the Trump-appointed administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Dr. Oz, when a reporter began a question about the Affordable Care Act with 'Dr. Oz said...'.
'Who?' Jeffries quipped, eliciting scattered laughter. 'That's like the most random way to start a question on a serious topic. Nobody in this country takes Dr. Oz seriously, no one,' Jeffries stated. He went on to criticize Oz's confirmation, suggesting it was a result of Republicans rubber-stamping Donald Trump's agenda.
Dr. Oz, a former talk show host and failed Senate candidate, has faced scrutiny for promoting questionable weight loss products and alternative therapies on his show. Jeffries highlighted this, saying, 'I have no idea what Dr. Oz is talking about, and neither do the American people.'
'I'm not going to respond to any comments from 'randos' like Dr. Oz, who is woefully unqualified for his position in the administration. He's a joke, these people are a joke,' Jeffries added. However, he emphasized that the issue of American healthcare is serious and that's where their focus lies.
Dr. Oz, 65, is also known for his unwavering support of Trump, defending the president's claims, including his handling of a medical emergency in the Oval Office. Additionally, Oz's investments in healthcare and medical technology companies have raised ethical concerns, particularly given his current role. The Daily Beast has reached out to the Department of Health and Human Services for comment.
