Trump surgeon general admits she 'pretends' to farm to cash in on tax loophole

While President Donald Trump’s surgeon general nominee, Nicole Saphier, makes a big show on social media of the chickens living on her massive New Jersey estate, critics say it’s all part of a ruse to let her exploit a state tax loophole. What’s more, she herself admits that her farming image is all “pretend.”

According to records obtained by Politico, Saphier — who is a radiologist by profession — uses her chickens to justify calling her property “farmland,” which allows her to take advantage of agricultural tax cuts. This program has been so widely abused that both Democrats and Republicans have questioned its validity.

And now Saphier’s farm claims are raising questions. It was not designated as farmland when she purchased it and has none of the usual markers of a farm like a barn, but it does include a “palatial home" with "26 rooms, an in-ground pool, home theater with 13 seats, yoga studio and a wine room.” State Farmland Evaluation Committee Jack Curtis, who helps oversee the program, suggested that her estate is a “poster child” of abuse. “If you want privacy and you want 10 acres of land surrounding [your] estate, great — good for you,” he said. “But pay your taxes. That’s all.”

When Saphier’s property tax breaks take effect later this year, she will only have to pay around $40 in property taxes on her 10.35-acre estate. According to Politico’s calculations, her rate should be more like $7,200. These numbers do not include taxes on the house itself.

While Saphier’s CV includes her background as a radiologist, author and Fox News contributor, she also describes herself as a part-time “farmer” on her Instagram bio. But as Politico notes, even she herself has admitted this to be false, posting, “the reality is, I’m not a real farmer. I just kind of pretend like I am.”

“The farmland assessment law was established in the 1960s to help struggling farmers and preserve farmland,” explains Politico. “But state law has broad interpretation for what is considered farmland; a property owner can qualify for the tax break if they have over five contiguous acres of land and sell above a certain threshold of farm products for two years.”

That threshold is at least $1,000 in agricultural sales per year. In her application, Saphier reported “$1,000+” in “anticipated” farm income. She claims that around half of her supposed farmland cultivates hay, chickens, apples, rosemary and lavender, while the other half is enrolled in a farmland program to promote forestry. Politico does not have information on whether her claims were verified by tax officials. Local officials did not respond to requests for comment, and the White House declined Politico’s request for a tour of the farm.

Critics of the program say that it is widely abused by New Jersey’s wealthiest landowners. Another property near Saphier’s taking advantage of it is a Trump golf course, which slashes tens of thousands of dollars annually from its tax burden by claiming it produces hay and that its grass is cut by goats.