White House and FDA claim pure science basis.
In the middle of the lunch, Trump called RFK Jr and Dr. Oz and told them he wanted the regulation lifted. Trump’s FDA Commissioner then resigned in protest. Things like this are happening every day. RFK Jr is a total fraud. https://t.co/B0uMIT0eQn pic.twitter.com/jqNu5v9CXB
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) May 21, 2026
Reynolds American (through a subsidiary) donated $5 million to the Trump-backed super PAC MAGA Inc. on April 30. That brought their total contributions to the PAC to $8 million. About a week later, the FDA issued new guidance that eases the path for flavored vapes from authorized U.S. companies like Reynolds (makers of Vuse). This move targets illegal foreign vapes while opening more shelf space for domestic flavored products, which could be worth millions in new sales. Two days after the donation, Reynolds executives and lobbyists met with Trump at his Florida golf club to push on vaping rules. The White House says the FDA decision is based on science and helping adult smokers switch from cigarettes. Critics call the timing suspicious and have labeled it pay-to-play. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary reportedly resigned shortly after over concerns about youth vaping.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/us/politics/donation-big-tobacco-vaping.html