Trump PAC Receives $5 Million from Vape Giant Ahead of FDA Flavored Vape Approval

Trump Cannabis Executive Order, Marijuana Rescheduling Schedule III

A major tobacco corporation funneled $5 million into Donald Trump’s primary super PAC just days before his administration abruptly opened the U.S. market to flavored vapes. This sudden policy shift by the FDA allows Big Tobacco to aggressively enter a $6 billion market, sparking intense scrutiny over industry influence.

Reynolds American, the manufacturer behind Camel cigarettes and Vuse vapes, made the $5 million donation through a subsidiary on April 30. Revealed in recent campaign finance reports, this cash injection brings the subsidiary’s total backing of MAGA Inc. to $8 million.

The company’s financial support extends further; Reynolds previously gave $10 million to another pro-Trump PAC and contributed to the fund building the new White House ballroom.

Within about a week of the $5 million donation, the Food and Drug Administration issued new guidance clearing major tobacco companies to sell flavored vapes. Notably, the agency skipped its standard rule-making procedures to push the policy through quickly.

Reports indicate the president played a direct role following a lunch meeting at his Jupiter, Florida, golf club. A Reynolds executive, two company lobbyists, and executives from rival Altria complained to Trump that the FDA was throttling their business.

During the meeting, the president took immediate action:

  • Calls to Health Chiefs: Trump attempted to call FDA Commissioner Marty Makary. When Makary didn’t answer, Trump phoned HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and CMS chief Mehmet Oz to vent about e-cigarette regulations.
  • Commissioner Resignation: FDA Commissioner Marty Makary subsequently resigned rather than defend the new vaping policy.

Other tobacco entities are also circling the administration. Swisher International, a cigar firm previously represented by White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, has lobbied the Executive Office heavily over the past year.

The White House firmly denies any connection between the donations, the lunch meeting, and the FDA’s decision. Spokesman Kush Desai stated that the administration’s health policies are guided solely by “gold standard science” and evidence that these products help smokers quit.

This pro-vaping stance marks a sharp reversal from Trump’s first term, where he raised the tobacco-buying age to 21 and banned most flavored e-cigarettes to combat youth addiction. However, during his 2024 campaign, he promised to “save Vaping again,” and his team recently scrapped a proposed menthol cigarette ban.

Matthew Ma
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