Covering health policy & politics for @nytimes. Former Congressional & White House Correspondent (Bush & Obama). Peloton aficionado, amateur painter, mom of 2 awesome young adults. Tips: stolberg@nytimes.comhttps://bsky.app/profile/sherylnyt.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/sherylnyt.bsky.social/post/3mmamnwhgsk2iNEW: RFK Jr. has appointed a temporary Surgeon General -- without Senate confirmation -- and granted her the authority to issue advisories. Dr. Stephanie Haridopolos "will take on the honorific title Director of Health Communications for the Office of the Surgeon General."20 May 2026 00:12 +0000at://did:plc:dfyvadpfqliks77dxk7ewb6c/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmamnwhgsk2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/sherylnyt.bsky.social/post/3mm5gubgfps26SCOOPLET: The FDA says it is studying the safety of the abortion pill Mifepristone. But the study hasn't started & has been held up for months by bureaucratic delays at HHS, per 2 people familiar. + Trump is mum & in a political bind. w/ @pambelluck.bsky.social https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/18/us/politics/abortion-pill-trump-politics.html?unlocked_article_code=1.jVA.1ZCQ.Q8ifiCF4ZhIr&smid=url-share18 May 2026 17:50 +0000at://did:plc:dfyvadpfqliks77dxk7ewb6c/app.bsky.feed.post/3mm5gubgfps26https://bsky.app/profile/sherylnyt.bsky.social/post/3mlzerfav322gBREAKiNG: Cassidy Lost His Primary https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/16/us/politics/cassidy-louisiana-race-trump.html?unlocked_article_code=1.jFA.xzOt.TG1rCQktBQSq&smid=nytcore-ios-share17 May 2026 03:02 +0000at://did:plc:dfyvadpfqliks77dxk7ewb6c/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlzerfav322ghttps://bsky.app/profile/sherylnyt.bsky.social/post/3mlvhyrqdbk2iWith some trepidation, I agreed to be interviewed by @brindabee.bsky.social and her team at Why Should I Trust You on what it is like to cover RFK Jr. and MAHA in these polarized times. These are my honest, albeit imperfect, reflections. Please be kind. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/special-ep-a-conversation-w-sheryl-gay-stolberg/id1788335471?i=100076792968315 May 2026 13:50 +0000at://did:plc:dfyvadpfqliks77dxk7ewb6c/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlvhyrqdbk2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/sherylnyt.bsky.social/post/3mlqrst2h4k2jSCOOP: RFK Jr.'s top spokesman, Rich Danker, quit in protest over Trump admin's vaping policy -- one day after FDA chief Makary resigned for the same reason. NOW VACANT at HHS: Surgeon General. CDC director. FDA commissioner. Asst. Sec for Public Affairs https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/13/us/politics/rich-danker-resigns-vaping.html?unlocked_article_code=1.iFA.X4YT.T-D2ASVVlgn_&smid=url-share13 May 2026 17:02 +0000at://did:plc:dfyvadpfqliks77dxk7ewb6c/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlqrst2h4k2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/sherylnyt.bsky.social/post/3mlodihgxys24Ok, eating my words. Marty Makary has resigned under pressure as FDA commissioner. @by-cjewett.bsky.social has the scoop: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/12/us/politics/trump-fires-fda-commissioner-makary.html?unlocked_article_code=1.h1A.GMtm.YLycZuxZEMk0&smid=url-share [contains quote post or other embedded content]12 May 2026 17:40 +0000at://did:plc:dfyvadpfqliks77dxk7ewb6c/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlodihgxys24https://bsky.app/profile/sherylnyt.bsky.social/post/3mlluifp22k25SCOOP: RFK Jr. is driving a vast inquiry into vaccine safety, despite his recent silence on the topic. Public health experts fear the findings will be misused. Kennedy has long wanted "sufficient science" to lay the groundwork for lawsuits. w/@by-cjewett.bsky.social https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/11/health/kennedy-vacccine-safety.html?unlocked_article_code=1.hlA.eHCF.As5Tfl38L9gY&smid=url-share11 May 2026 18:06 +0000at://did:plc:dfyvadpfqliks77dxk7ewb6c/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlluifp22k25https://bsky.app/profile/sherylnyt.bsky.social/post/3mlepcx2kpc2rWho wants to bet that Makary survives? I may eat these words, it's just a hunch, but this feels like a trial balloon. Something tells me the FDA commissioner is being hung out to dry -- but not pushed out the door. @by-cjewett.bsky.social https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/08/us/trump-fda-commissioner-makary.html?unlocked_article_code=1.g1A.FyNk.EZPJYgZsJ0Pm&smid=url-share08 May 2026 21:45 +0000at://did:plc:dfyvadpfqliks77dxk7ewb6c/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlepcx2kpc2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/sherylnyt.bsky.social/post/3ml6swj7h4c22Fascinating historical dive into how a 1976 SCOTUS case cleared the way for billionaires to elect Trump. @dannyhakim.bsky.social https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/06/us/politics/buckley-case-supreme-court-billionaires.html?unlocked_article_code=1.gVA.oDld.WCOFzC6cLfpa&smid=nytcore-ios-share06 May 2026 13:34 +0000at://did:plc:dfyvadpfqliks77dxk7ewb6c/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml6swj7h4c22https://bsky.app/profile/sherylnyt.bsky.social/post/3ml5fsotwcs2eBLOCKBUSTER from @by-cjewett.bsky.social on how FDA blocked publication of studies finding Covid & Shingles vaccine are safe https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/05/us/politics/fda-covid-vaccine-studies.html?unlocked_article_code=1.gVA.zBai.wBxYupJ3WkZl&smid=bs-share06 May 2026 00:06 +0000at://did:plc:dfyvadpfqliks77dxk7ewb6c/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml5fsotwcs2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/sherylnyt.bsky.social/post/3ml235ye44k2tThe unseen work of public health... "Armed with data from the medical examiner’s office, the county’s public health epidemiologist determined that dealers were selling cychlorphine cheaply, on its own or mixed into fentanyl and methamphetamine.... " By Jan Hoffman https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/04/health/knoxville-medical-examiners-drugs-cychlorphine.html04 May 2026 16:18 +0000at://did:plc:dfyvadpfqliks77dxk7ewb6c/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml235ye44k2thttps://bsky.app/profile/sherylnyt.bsky.social/post/3mkuphrwhhk2cThree hard-right MAGA congresswomen saw a culture of sexual abuse on Capitol Hill. They called it out and helped push their colleagues, the alleged perpetrators, out the door. @anniekarni.bsky.social @nytimes.com https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/02/us/politics/boebert-mace-luna-republican-women.html?unlocked_article_code=1.fVA.I2q9.4c_qX4-pfa3g&smid=nytcore-ios-share02 May 2026 13:05 +0000at://did:plc:dfyvadpfqliks77dxk7ewb6c/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkuphrwhhk2chttps://bsky.app/profile/sherylnyt.bsky.social/post/3mktds2wxt22gNEWS: The NIH whistleblower @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social, who was put on paid leave in November after criticizing the Trump administration’s cuts to medical research, has been reinstated — without explanation. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/01/us/politics/trump-jenna-norton-nih.html?unlocked_article_code=1.fFA.zKiJ.Cyeppk5lNn76&smid=nytcore-ios-share02 May 2026 00:04 +0000at://did:plc:dfyvadpfqliks77dxk7ewb6c/app.bsky.feed.post/3mktds2wxt22ghttps://bsky.app/profile/sherylnyt.bsky.social/post/3mkqvthfz722nTrump's new pick for Surgeon General is a breast cancer imaging specialist, Fox News commentator & wellness podcaster. She backs vaccines, but wants them to be optional. She was also a teenage mom. w/ Dani Blum https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/casey-means-surgeon-general-withdraw.html?unlocked_article_code=1.e1A.091p.UxF5Qq15RAwv&smid=tw-share01 May 2026 00:49 +0000at://did:plc:dfyvadpfqliks77dxk7ewb6c/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkqvthfz722nhttps://bsky.app/profile/sherylnyt.bsky.social/post/3mkq7vzxcsk26BREAKING. Trump withdraws Casey Means nomination for Surgeon General. In an interview, she said, "There is a really positive cultural movement happening right ....I genuinely believe in my heart" that Trump admin is committed to MAHA goals. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/casey-means-surgeon-general-withdraw.html?unlocked_article_code=1.e1A.091p.UxF5Qq15RAwv&smid=url-share30 Apr 2026 18:16 +0000at://did:plc:dfyvadpfqliks77dxk7ewb6c/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkq7vzxcsk26https://bsky.app/profile/sherylnyt.bsky.social/post/3mkj2hoj4rs26Uhhhh, the Trump administration wants U of Pennsylvania to turn over a list of Jews on campus? https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/27/us/trump-subpoena-list-jews-university-pennsylvania.html27 Apr 2026 21:50 +0000at://did:plc:dfyvadpfqliks77dxk7ewb6c/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkj2hoj4rs26https://bsky.app/profile/sherylnyt.bsky.social/post/3mkitxlbde227How the Trump administration dismantled independent science at the EPA: A doctor and expert in lung health has been reassigned to a finance office. An epidemiologist has a new job issuing permits to handle hazardous waste. . By Lisa Friedman https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/27/climate/epa-science-trump-cuts.html?unlocked_article_code=1.eFA.4RwK.WBMktZr5oyiN&smid=url-share27 Apr 2026 19:54 +0000at://did:plc:dfyvadpfqliks77dxk7ewb6c/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkitxlbde227https://bsky.app/profile/sherylnyt.bsky.social/post/3mkg3d2mrj22tMAHA voters, furious at Trump, may stay home in November. Said one MAHA conservative: “Republicans would be stupid, moronic, to let these voters just slip through our fingers." Big MAHA protest outside SCOTUS on Monday ”https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/23/us/politics/maha-voters-midterms.html26 Apr 2026 17:28 +0000at://did:plc:dfyvadpfqliks77dxk7ewb6c/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkg3d2mrj22thttps://bsky.app/profile/sherylnyt.bsky.social/post/3mkg32cufwc2tSCOTUS will hear a case about the weedkiller glyphosate on Monday. Big MAHA protest planned. The Trump administration backs Bayer, the weedkiller's maker, reversing a position taken by Biden. Here's a great primer from Hiroko Tabuchi @nytimes.com https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/26/climate/supreme-court-bayer-monsanto-roundup-glyphosate.html?unlocked_article_code=1.d1A.F-V_.3jQYUhPfAB9D&smid=url-share26 Apr 2026 17:23 +0000at://did:plc:dfyvadpfqliks77dxk7ewb6c/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkg32cufwc2thttps://bsky.app/profile/sherylnyt.bsky.social/post/3mk6i644k7k2nNEW: MAHA PAC promises to raise $100 million to elect "Trump-endorsed" Republicans, but raised just $1.2 million through February. MAHA leaders warn voters may stay home: “Republicans would be stupid, moronic, to let these voters just slip through our fingers." https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/23/us/politics/maha-voters-midterms.html?unlocked_article_code=1.dFA.A2KU.jAXx58wHkMPz&smid=bs-share23 Apr 2026 16:56 +0000at://did:plc:dfyvadpfqliks77dxk7ewb6c/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk6i644k7k2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/sherylnyt.bsky.social/post/3mk3q5iw3ms2eKennedy, on the Hill this week, is pushing back against Democrats who say he has "blood on his hands" from the measles outbreak. @by-cjewett.bsky.social and I looked at the facts. From Tuesday's hearing: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/21/us/politics/rfk-jr-vaccines-erica-schwartz.html?unlocked_article_code=1.c1A.28BN.o4Z3hild8V8c&smid=tw-share22 Apr 2026 14:41 +0000at://did:plc:dfyvadpfqliks77dxk7ewb6c/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk3q5iw3ms2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/sherylnyt.bsky.social/post/3mk3opxezxc2eNEW: Spending on new medical research by the National Institutes of Health has fallen roughly $1 billion behind the pace of years past, delaying thousands of scientific projects. @benjmueller.bsky.social @irenatfh.bsky.social https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/22/science/trump-nih-funding-research.html?unlocked_article_code=1.c1A.4xh8.8tpcyxSCAu-M&smid=url-share22 Apr 2026 14:16 +0000at://did:plc:dfyvadpfqliks77dxk7ewb6c/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk3opxezxc2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/sherylnyt.bsky.social/post/3mjrs24topk27UNSUNG HERO: Iris Long was an unlikely AIDS activist. A married chemist from Queens, she barely knew any gay people. She joined ACT UP to use her expertise to fight for treatments. May her memory be a blessing. By Richard Sandomir, w/ a small assist from me. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/17/health/iris-long-dead.html?unlocked_article_code=1.b1A.Leq7.0imucVooiNv3&smid=url-share18 Apr 2026 15:48 +0000at://did:plc:dfyvadpfqliks77dxk7ewb6c/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjrs24topk27https://bsky.app/profile/sherylnyt.bsky.social/post/3mjrrhe66t22xHow is RFK Jr. affecting the midterms? Democratic doctors are running for office. A pediatrician in South Carolina, where measles is rampant, drew cheers by pledging to "lead the charge to impeach and remove RFK Jr." Smart take by Nina Agrawal https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/18/us/politics/democratic-doctors-running-for-congress.html?unlocked_article_code=1.b1A.AaSl.9FHG5DgDYtDf&smid=url-share18 Apr 2026 15:38 +0000at://did:plc:dfyvadpfqliks77dxk7ewb6c/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjrrhe66t22xhttps://bsky.app/profile/sherylnyt.bsky.social/post/3mjqfdqejzc25Takeaway from a dizzying week of RFK Jr. testimony: Kennedy appears to have changed his tune on vaccine policy. Will that mean a shift in policy, or is he just "a wolf in sheep's clothing?" w/ @apoorvanyt.bsky.social @by-cjewett.bsky.social https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/17/us/politics/vaccines-kennedy-cdc.html?unlocked_article_code=1.b1A.sXYC.ZU_2SBda_-o9&smid=url-share18 Apr 2026 02:28 +0000at://did:plc:dfyvadpfqliks77dxk7ewb6c/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjqfdqejzc25https://bsky.app/profile/sherylnyt.bsky.social/post/3mj3y37vxx22fNEW: Trump, seeking to firm up his alliance with RFK's base, met privately for 20 minutes in the Oval with MAHA leaders, who also talked strategy with Stephen Miller & Susie Wiles. Casey Means's stalled nomination also came up. MAHA wants her confirmed. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/09/us/politics/trump-kennedy-maha-moms.html?unlocked_article_code=1.ZlA.yNn8.E6TZ2nwFEvho&smid=url-share09 Apr 2026 23:38 +0000at://did:plc:dfyvadpfqliks77dxk7ewb6c/app.bsky.feed.post/3mj3y37vxx22fhttps://bsky.app/profile/sherylnyt.bsky.social/post/3mj3icybu5s2fTrump, who is in danger of losing MAHA moms in the midterms, will meet with them privately at the White House today. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/09/us/politics/trump-kennedy-maha-moms.html09 Apr 2026 18:56 +0000at://did:plc:dfyvadpfqliks77dxk7ewb6c/app.bsky.feed.post/3mj3icybu5s2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/sherylnyt.bsky.social/post/3mizizthdms2mComing soon to an iPhone near you.09 Apr 2026 00:03 +0000at://did:plc:dfyvadpfqliks77dxk7ewb6c/app.bsky.feed.post/3mizizthdms2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/sherylnyt.bsky.social/post/3mihawyqbfk2qSpotted in Safeway01 Apr 2026 17:50 +0000at://did:plc:dfyvadpfqliks77dxk7ewb6c/app.bsky.feed.post/3mihawyqbfk2q