WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump abruptly ended a White House speech on Friday after Dr Mehmet Oz’s 11-year-old granddaughter fainted during a high-profile swearing-in ceremony.
The president was in the middle of delivering remarks following the appointment of TV personality and cardiothoracic surgeon Dr Oz as the new administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services when cries for help rang out from the audience.
Trump’s speech abruptly cut short following child’s medical emergency
Journalist Laura Loomer shared a video of the moment on social media, writing, “It appears a young girl had some type of medical issue. President Trump walked over to assist.”
“Philo fainted! Philo fainted! Dad, go!” Dr Oz’s daughter, Daphne Oz, was heard shouting. The moment sent the room into immediate confusion as Secret Service and White House staffers moved in to manage the situation.
WATCH:
Moments ago, something happened in the Oval Office that resulted in everyone being kicked out of the room abruptly, while President Trump was speaking.
“Press out! Everybody get out, right now!”
It appears there may have been a medical emergency of some sort. Dr. Oz… pic.twitter.com/lBFDBmX3B9
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) April 18, 2025
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt could be heard firmly instructing members of the press to vacate the room. “Everyone, please clear the area now,” she said, signaling the severity of the situation.
According to FOX News, President Trump briefly stepped away from the podium, trying to assess what was happening, while Dr Oz’s wife, Lisa, appeared visibly distressed.
Reporters were quickly ushered out of the Oval Office, with some hearing officials firmly instruct, “No photos,” as they evacuated the press from the area.
Dr Oz rushed to his granddaughter’s side. Fortunately, the child, identified as Philomena Bijou, quickly recovered and was escorted out of the room by her mother, a White House spokesperson confirmed.
“A minor family member fainted during Dr. Oz’s swearing-in ceremony in the Oval Office. We are happy to say she is okay,” the spokesperson later told People.
Philomena’s collapse occurred just moments after Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr officially swore in Dr Oz.
Daphne and her husband, John Jovanovic— who she married back in 2010 — are parents to four kids, Philomena, Giovanna Ines, Domenica Celine, and their son, Jovan.