BioCentury
ARTICLE | Politics, Policy & Law

Makary’s grip slips at FDA, triggering speculation on successor

Graham, Zeta, Diamantas lead list of possible acting commissioners

May 8, 2026 10:57 PM UTC

The cascade of White House leaks about President Donald Trump’s displeasure with FDA Commissioner Marty Makary has shifted the question from whether he will be fired to when.

The immediate trigger, according to an administration official and media reports, is Makary’s failure to rapidly approve flavored vaping products, a move the White House sees as politically important ahead of the midterm elections...