Trump’s FDA CHIEF on CHOPPING BLOCK Over Vapes

President Trump has reportedly signed off on removing his own Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner — a man he appointed — over a policy fight about flavored vaping products, raising questions about the direction of federal health oversight under the Make America Healthy Again agenda.

Story Snapshot

The Wall Street Journal first reported that Trump signed off on a plan to remove FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, though the decision could still be reversed.
The reported trigger is Trump’s frustration that Makary resisted approving flavored vaping products, a reversal of Makary’s own earlier policy position.
Trump publicly stated he knew nothing about plans to fire Makary, while the White House and Department of Health and Human Services both denied his job was in jeopardy.
The potential ouster comes amid months of turbulence at the FDA, including mass layoffs, staff departures, and clashes over drug and vaccine policy.

Vaping Fight Reportedly Pushed Trump Over the Edge

The Wall Street Journal broke the story on May 8, 2026, reporting that Trump had signed off on a plan to remove Makary, though the decision had not been finalized. Multiple outlets confirmed the reporting. The central flashpoint appears to be flavored vaping products. Trump pressed Makary to approve flavored e-cigarettes for adult consumers, but a February memo from Makary’s office blocked the plan, saying he needed more time to evaluate the policy. Trump reportedly raged at his FDA chief for not reversing course.

Makary and Trump reportedly discussed the flavored vape issue directly, but it remained unclear whether Makary had agreed to change his position. The standoff highlights a broader tension inside the administration between the Make America Healthy Again health reform push and competing commercial and political pressures. Flavored vaping products are enormously popular, especially among younger adults, and the industry has significant lobbying influence in Washington.

White House Denials Conflict With Multiple Reports

Trump told reporters he knew nothing about any plan to fire Makary, directly contradicting the Wall Street Journal’s sourcing. Spokesmen for both the White House and the Department of Health and Human Services denied that Makary’s job was in jeopardy, insisting senior officials retained full confidence in his leadership. These denials are notable, but they mirror language used before other high-profile departures in the administration — and the Wall Street Journal’s reporting cited officials familiar with the discussions directly.

The conflicting signals leave the situation genuinely unresolved. The report notes the decision “could still be reversed,” meaning internal deliberations may still be ongoing. Whether Trump pulls the trigger or backs down, the public airing of the dispute has already damaged Makary’s authority inside the agency and sent a signal to FDA staff about the limits of the commissioner’s independence on politically sensitive decisions.

Months of Turmoil Have Shaken the FDA

The vaping dispute is only the latest in a series of controversies surrounding Makary’s tenure. The FDA has experienced significant internal disruption, including mass layoffs that drew criticism from major health advocacy groups concerned about the agency’s ability to fulfill its food and drug safety mission. A veteran cancer researcher’s departure in late 2025 drew attention to morale problems inside the agency, with CNN reporting that Makary was already under renewed scrutiny from Trump officials at that time.

President Donald Trump is firing Marty Makary, the head of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) citing policy clashes such as the regulation of vaping. pic.twitter.com/Zqd7evzKv3

— National Chronicle (@NCNewsOnX) May 8, 2026

Beyond personnel issues, the FDA under Makary navigated contentious decisions on COVID-19 vaccines — limiting approvals for healthy adults and children pending additional data — and Trump signed an executive order directing the agency to speed up reviews of psychedelic drugs, including ibogaine, for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress. Each policy move generated controversy from different directions, leaving the agency in a difficult position between competing political and scientific pressures. Whether Makary survives this latest episode or becomes another high-profile departure, the FDA’s credibility and stability remain central concerns for anyone who cares about the integrity of America’s drug and food safety system.