Top ally of President Donald Trump and Environmental Protection Agency chief Lee Zeldin revealed Sunday that he recently underwent treatment for skin cancer and is now cancer-free.
Zeldin shared his experience in a post on X —
“PSA: Wear sunscreen and get your skin checked. I’m grateful to the incredible medical team at Walter Reed Medical Center who recently fully removed basal cell carcinoma (BCC) from my face. I’m relieved to be cancer-free, and I want to share my experience to help raise awareness for you and the people you care about,” Zeldin wrote.
Zeldin’s dermatologist removed the cancer. Following the procedure, a plastic surgeon reconstructed part of Zeldin’s nose using cartilage from behind his ear and a local skin flap.
The EPA administrator said he often failed to use sunscreen, which likely contributed to his cancer.
“Like many people, there were plenty of moments in my life when I spent time in the sun without sunscreen. That was a mistake. Consistently using SPF 30 or higher and getting regular skin checks can go a long way in preventing this,” Zeldin wrote.
Zeldin posted a photo showing a visible scar on the side of his nose from the surgery.
PSA: Wear sunscreen and get your skin checked.
I’m grateful to the incredible medical team at Walter Reed Medical Center who recently fully removed basal cell carcinoma (BCC) from my face.
I’m relieved to be cancer-free, and I want to share my experience to help raise awareness… pic.twitter.com/dNC06Grk77
— Lee Zeldin (@LeeMZeldin) December 14, 2025
This is not Zeldin’s first battle with cancer. He was diagnosed with early stage leukemia in November 2020. The following year, he announced he was in complete remission.
Trump nominated Zeldin to lead the EPA in November 2024, just days after winning his second term.
The Senate confirmed Zeldin after Trump’s inauguration in a 56-42 vote. Three Democratic senators—John Fetterman, Mark Kelly, and Ruben Gallego—joined all Republicans in voting for Zeldin.
Zeldin, an attorney and retired Army officer, previously served in the House of Representatives for four terms representing New York’s 1st congressional district.
He did not seek reelection to a fifth term in 2022, instead running for New York governor. He won the Republican nomination but lost to incumbent Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul by six percentage points.