Pharmaceutical Executive Gordon Findlay Faints at Oval Office Event, Dr. Oz Responds
A high-profile White House announcement on prescription drug prices was dramatically interrupted when Gordon Findlay, an executive with pharmaceutical maker Novo Nordisk, fainted just feet from President Donald Trump.
The incident occurred on Thursday in the Oval Office as Eli Lilly CEO David Ricks was speaking at an event to unveil a new deal on obesity drug costs . The event was swiftly halted, journalists were escorted out, and the live broadcast was cut.
A Sudden Collapse and a Swift Response
The tense moment unfolded while President Trump, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and other officials looked on.Ricks, mid-remark, paused and looked to his right, asking, “Are you okay? Gordon, are you okay?”.
As Gordon Findlay fell to his knees, Dr. Mehmet Oz, the administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and a licensed physician, immediately rushed to his aid.Dr. Oz was seen checking the executive’s pulse and providing assistance while others in the room helped lower him to the floor.The White House Medical Unit quickly took over care.
Official Assurance on Gordon Findlay’s Condition
Following the incident, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt provided a crucial update, stating that the gentleman who fainted was “okay” after the prompt medical response.
When the press conference resumed about 30 minutes later, President Trump addressed the interruption. “One of the representatives of the companies got a little bit lightheaded,” the president told reporters. “We saw he went down, and he’s fine. They just sent him out, and he’s got doctors here. But he’s fine”.
The Context of the Oval Office Announcement
The event was convened for President Trump to announce a major agreement with drugmakers Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to significantly expand coverage and reduce prices for popular obesity treatments like Zepbound and Wegovy.The deal, which would slash monthly costs from over $1,000 to as low as $250 for some medications, was the key policy focus before the emergency unfolded.
This is not the first time a guest has fainted during a Trump administration event in the Oval Office this year. A similar incident occurred in April when a young family member of Dr. Oz fainted during his swearing-in ceremony, though that individual also quickly recovered.
The swift action by Dr. Oz and the White House medical team ensured that Gordon Findlay received immediate care. The event, though shaken, ultimately continued, marking a dramatic punctuatio n to a significant policy announcement.
