Story perspectives

Trump Names Trump-Ally Kyle Diamantas Acting FDA Chief

5/13/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that FDA Commissioner Marty Makary resigned and Kyle Diamantas will be acting FDA commissioner.
Diamantas, who defended Abbott Laboratories, a friend of Donald Trump Jr., was FDA deputy commissioner overseeing nutrition and safety.
Makary resigned after a dispute with Trump over slow approval of fruit-flavored vape products.
Scholars note Diamantas, who holds only a law degree, was chosen to stabilize the agency amid staff cuts.

History

Historical Context

David Kessler left the FDA on 28 February 1997 after a disagreement with the Clinton administration over the agency’s attempt to regulate cigarettes, a fight that ended with the Supreme Court’s 1996 Brown & Williamson decision. Decades later, Donald Trump’s acceptance of Marty Makary’s resignation and appointment of Abbott-linked Kyle Diamantas revives long-standing worries about industry capture of the FDA.

1 of 2

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that FDA Commissioner Marty Makary resigned and Kyle Diamantas will be acting FDA commissioner.
Diamantas, who defended Abbott Laboratories, a friend of Donald Trump Jr., was FDA deputy commissioner overseeing nutrition and safety.
Makary resigned after a dispute with Trump over slow approval of fruit-flavored vape products.
Scholars note Diamantas, who holds only a law degree, was chosen to stabilize the agency amid staff cuts.

1 / 2