FDA Commissioner Marty Makary has officially resigned via text message following intense pressure from the Trump administration to authorize fruit-flavored e-cigarettes. His departure highlights a significant clash between public health efforts to curb youth vaping and President Trump’s campaign promise to "save vaping."
President Trump confirmed the resignation on social media, sharing a screenshot of a text message from Makary. Despite reports of internal conflict, Trump publicly praised Makary's work and announced that top food regulator Kyle Diamantas will serve as acting commissioner.
The resignation comes days after leaked White House plans indicated Makary was facing imminent termination. According to insiders speaking to The New York Times, the breaking point was a direct confrontation over vaping regulations.
Makary, a former Johns Hopkins University cancer surgeon, had been resisting the approval of fruit-flavored e-cigarettes. He argued that kid-friendly flavors could reignite youth addiction. However, this stance directly opposed the administration's pro-vaping agenda and tobacco industry interests.
The conflict peaked when Trump reportedly scolded Makary over the phone for delaying authorizations. Shortly after, the FDA approved menthol, mango, and blueberry flavored vapes from Los Angeles manufacturer Glas, alongside a new policy easing the marketing of flavored products.
Beyond the vaping controversy, Makary faced mounting pressure and complaints from multiple fronts during his tenure:
- Anti-Abortion Activists: Accused him of slow-walking safety reviews for the abortion pill mifepristone.
- Industry Lobbyists: He reportedly made enemies among representatives from the biotech, tobacco, and pharmaceutical sectors.
- Public Health Experts: Criticized him for altering vaccine reviews to align with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy’s anti-vaccine agenda.
As Diana Zuckerman, president of the National Center for Health Research, noted, Makary managed to offend "almost everyone involved in FDA issues." Reports suggest that Health Secretary Kennedy ultimately initiated the plan to remove Makary, with Trump's final agreement, ending a highly turbulent tenure.
Tech Reviewer & Vape Enthusiast
Rohan Sharma is a dynamic and analytical voice in the Indian vaping landscape, blending his passion for technology with a deep understanding of the global vape market. Based in Bangalore, India's tech hub, Rohan leverages his IT background to dissect the intricate details of vaping devices, from chipset performance to coil longevity. His content aims to empower the growing Indian vaping community with precise, data-driven reviews and practical advice.