Dr. Mehmet Oz’s granddaughter, Philomena, fainted while President Donald Trump spoke at the White House after Oz’s swearing-in ceremony.
Oz, 64, was at the White House on Friday, April 18, to be sworn in as Trump’s administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The former TV personality was confirmed to the position when the Senate voted to approve him earlier this month.
For the ceremony, Oz was joined by his wife Lisa, son Oliver, and daughters Daphne, Arabella and Zoe. Some of Oz’s grandchildren were also in attendance, according to multiple outlets.
After being sworn in by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump, 78, spoke to the crowd about Oz joining his administration. The president’s remarks were interrupted when the little girl collapsed.
One of Oz’s daughters stated, “Philo fainted, Philo fainted. Dad, go,” according to People.
Oz ran over to check on Philomena, 11, before returning to Trump’s side. Philomena’s mom Daphne and her uncle, Oliver, walked her out of the room.
The event was subsequently cut short following the incident. Reporters and bystanders were ushered out of the Oval Office.
The White House released a statement on Friday to CBS News regarding the incident.
“A minor family member fainted during Dr. Oz’s swearing in ceremony in the Oval Office,” the statement read. “We are happy to say she is OK.”
No additional details about Philomena’s condition have been released.
Us Weekly has reached out to Oz for comment.
Daphne and her husband, John Jovanovic, welcomed Philomena in March 2011. The couple, who tied the knot in 2010, also share son Jovan, 9, and daughters Domenica, 6, and Giovanna, 4.
Last month, the family of six celebrated Philomena’s 11th birthday, and Daphne paid tribute to her eldest daughter.
“Happiest 11th birthday to our first born, Philomena!! 💕,” she wrote via Instagram in March. “You still love pink. You still love stories of every kind and remember absolutely everything. You’re still creative, and brilliant, and wise beyond your years. You’re the fastest in the land! You’re ‘preppier’ now 🎀🧸🥥 (she picked these emojis lol), though I feel like that means something different than it did when I was your age … and most of all, you still feel like a little bit of magic every day. We love you so much!! 💗”
In the post, Daphne included a snap of the birthday girl surrounded by her family as she prepared to blow out her birthday candles.
