FDA chief resigns after Trump forced approval of kid-friendly flavored e-cigs
White House pressured Makary to authorize mango and blueberry vapes over health concerns.
Marty Makary resigned as FDA Commissioner on Tuesday after the White House signed off on plans to fire him, following a standoff over fruit-flavored e-cigarettes. According to insiders, Makary—a former Johns Hopkins surgeon—had resisted approving flavors like menthol, mango, and blueberry from Los Angeles manufacturer Glas, fearing they would rekindle youth vaping addiction. However, Trump had made a campaign promise to 'save vaping,' and after a weekend phone call scolding Makary for moving too slowly, the FDA authorized those products days later and issued a new policy easing flavored vape approvals. Trump confirmed the resignation on social media, praising Makary as a hard worker, and named Kyle Diamantas as acting commissioner.
Makary's departure was also fueled by broader conflicts. He angered anti-abortion activists by slow-walking a safety review of mifepristone, and made enemies among biotech, tobacco, and pharmaceutical lobbyists. Public health experts criticized him for aligning with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s anti-vaccine agenda, changing FDA vaccine reviews. Politico reported that it was Kennedy—not Trump—who first pushed for Makary's firing. Diana Zuckerman of the National Center for Health Research noted, 'He has offended almost everyone involved in FDA issues, which is not easy to do.' The resignation highlights the tension between public health science and political pressure in the Trump administration.
- Makary resigned after Trump forced approval of Glas fruit-flavored e-cigarettes (menthol, mango, blueberry) over youth addiction fears.
- Trump scolded Makary via phone for slow-walking flavored vape authorizations; FDA then issued a new policy easing approvals.
- Makary also clashed with anti-abortion groups, biotech/tobacco lobbyists, and faced criticism for aligning with RFK Jr.'s anti-vaccine agenda.
Why It Matters
Political pressure overrode FDA's public health safeguards on youth vaping, setting a precedent for future regulatory decisions.