A $5 Million Donation From Big Tobacco Preceded F.D.A. Vape Decision
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- Reynolds American donated $5 million to MAGA Inc., a super PAC backed by President Trump, about a week before the administration announced a new tobacco-friendly policy.
- The donation, made through a Reynolds subsidiary, increased the total contributions to $8 million to the Trump-backed super PAC.
- Two days after the donation, Reynolds executives and lobbyists met with President Trump at his golf club, alongside representatives from Altria, to discuss dissatisfaction with FDA tobacco regulations.
- During the meeting, President Trump attempted to contact FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary and instead spoke with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Dr. Mehmet Oz, expressing concerns about e-cigarette regulation.