What did President Trump reportedly do regarding FDA Commissioner Marty Makary and flavored vape approvals, according to the Wall Street Journal?

According to the Wall Street Journal report cited in the article, President Donald Trump rebuked FDA Commissioner Marty Makary over the weekend for not moving quickly enough to approve flavored vapes and nicotine products; Trump also sought advice from his advisers about Makary and the political importance of flavored vaping to young 'Make America Great Again' voters during White House calls and conversations.

What is the current status of flavored vape product approvals by the FDA as stated in the news?

As stated in the news, U.S. regulators have thus far avoided granting licenses to flavored vapes, and the FDA has maintained that it requires a heavy burden of evidence demonstrating benefits to adult smokers for any flavored vape products—especially those with youth-appealing flavors like fruit or candy—while only 41 vape products are currently permitted for sale, all limited to tobacco or menthol flavors.

Trump Pressures FDA's Makary to Approve Flavored Vapes, WSJ Reports

May 5, 2026

President Trump pressured FDA Commissioner Makary to approve flavored vapes for political reasons, despite regulators restricting them due to youth appeal, with only 41 tobacco or menthol products currently permitted.

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Trump Pressures FDA's Makary to Approve Flavored Vapes, WSJ Reports

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