Trump’s new public health 'star'

After being sidelined for much of the Trump administration, U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams has suddenly emerged as a key player in its messaging about the coronavirus outbreak, often echoing the president’s arguments and winning his favor.

Now a regular on Fox News and other programs, Adams routinely flanks President Donald Trump at news briefings and has amplified the White House’s line as it shifted from reassuring to more severe.

“We’ve created a number of new stars, including the gentleman right behind me,” Trump said on March 14 at a White House news conference, turning to Adams. “I watched him the other day. It was such a fantastic job you did, and I really appreciate it.”

Until this month, Health and Human Services leaders had worked to limit Adams’ portfolio, worried that the voluble doctor would go off-script and fail to coordinate his messaging, said four officials in the health department who spoke on condition of anonymity. Adams also had been one of several officials who had fallen out of favor with HHS Secretary Alex Azar, who instead leaned on Brett Giroir, the assistant secretary for health and Adams’ boss, to carry out some responsibilities that might have otherwise gone to the surgeon general.