Trump-backed PAC took $5 million from tobacco giant before FDA opened door to flavored vapes
A Reynolds American subsidiary donated $5 million to a Trump super PAC days before the FDA eased flavored vape regulations.Summary
A subsidiary of Reynolds American donated $5 million to MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting President Donald Trump, on April 30. Two days later, tobacco executives met with Trump at his Florida golf club to complain about federal vaping regulations. Less than a week after this meeting, the Food and Drug Administration issued new guidance that could allow major cigarette manufacturers to enter the flavored vape market and sell nicotine products with higher nicotine levels. The sequence of events has fueled scrutiny over the relationship between political donations, corporate access, and federal policymaking. The FDA action bypassed traditional rule-making processes and sparked internal disagreement, leading to the resignation of FDA Commissioner Marty Makary. Critics argue that the administration's actions contradict its public health rhetoric and the "Make America Healthy Again" agenda, with Representative Seth Magaziner stating, "In the Trump administration, money beats MAHA every time."
(Source：NationofChange)
