Latest

    News

    Home News

    Ex-Girlfriend Of Rep. Thomas Massie Alleges Congressman Offered $5K To Drop Lawsuit

    By
    admin
    -
    2
    By Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America - Thomas Massie, CC BY-SA 2.0,

    An ex-girlfriend of Rep. Thomas Massie is alleging that the Kentucky Republican offered her $5,000 to drop a wrongful termination complaint tied to the office of one of his closest congressional allies, intensifying scrutiny of the lawmaker as he faces a high-stakes primary challenge backed by President Donald Trump.

    Cynthia West, a Florida social worker and school board candidate in Okaloosa County, made the claims in a video interview released Tuesday with Kentucky attorney Marcus Carey. West says she began dating Massie in 2024, months after the death of his wife of three decades, and that the relationship quickly became serious, including extensive travel together.

    According to West, Massie later helped arrange her employment in the office of Rep. Victoria Spartz despite her never formally applying for the role. She alleges she was terminated after about six weeks, shortly after ending her relationship with Massie.

    West has since filed a wrongful termination complaint connected to that employment, naming Spartz’s office and listing Massie as a witness. She says that after Massie learned of the complaint, he became angry and allegedly offered her $5,000 to withdraw it.

    Massie has strongly denied the allegations, calling them false and politically motivated. In a statement provided to Fox News Digital, he said he never offered money to silence anyone and has consulted legal counsel as he considers his response.

    Spartz’s office confirmed West held a short-term probationary position, saying her employment was not extended due to “unsatisfactory job performance,” while declining to address the broader allegations.

    The dispute is unfolding as Massie faces a closely watched Republican primary challenge in Kentucky ahead of the May 19 election. Donald Trump has endorsed Massie’s opponent, former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein, escalating a long-running political feud between Trump and the libertarian-leaning congressman.

    Trump has repeatedly sought to reshape Republican primaries by backing challengers to incumbents he views as insufficiently loyal, and Massie has long been one of the more frequent GOP critics of Trump’s legislative agenda in the House. The president’s support for Gallrein has turned the race into a proxy battle over the party’s direction heading into the next election cycle.

    West, for her part, says she has not coordinated with Gallrein’s campaign or Trump’s political operation and denies being paid to make the allegations public.

    She also claims she was offered a $60,000 settlement through the Office of Congressional Ethics tied to her complaint, but rejected it because it included a nondisclosure agreement that would have barred her from speaking publicly about the matter. The Office of Congressional Ethics has not publicly confirmed the existence of such an offer.

    Massie has framed the allegations as part of a broader political attack campaign as he fights to defend his seat in a race that has drawn national attention and increasingly sharp intraparty divisions.

    READ NEXT: Thomas Massie Marries Former Congressional Staffer

    The Democrats’ worst nightmare is on the verge of coming true. Your donation could make it a reality today – DON’T WAIT.

    White House Explores 250 Pardons to Mark America’s 250th Birthday

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    3
    President Donald Trump gestures to the crowd after delivering remarks at the House GOP Member Retreat, Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at the Donald J. Trump- John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)

    President Donald Trump is weighing an ambitious new wave of clemency that could see as many as 250 pardons issued either on his own birthday — Flag Day, June 14 — or as part of the nation’s July 4 celebration marking America’s 250th birthday, according to a new report from the Wall Street Journal.

    The proposal, still in what administration officials describe as “preliminary discussions,” would dramatically expand Trump’s already aggressive use of presidential pardon powers during his second term and further cement clemency as one of the defining features of his presidency.

    According to the report, White House officials are debating whether the pardons should coincide with Trump’s birthday celebration on June 14 — which also falls on Flag Day — or whether they should instead be tied directly to the nation’s semiquincentennial festivities on the Fourth of July.

    Some aides inside the White House are reportedly uneasy about the timing, warning that another major round of pardons ahead of the midterm elections could create political headaches for Republicans. Still, administration officials stressed that no final decision has been made and that Trump remains the ultimate authority on clemency matters.

    The possible move would fit neatly into Trump’s broader effort to put his personal stamp on America’s 250th birthday celebration. Since returning to office, Trump has championed a series of patriotic projects tied to the anniversary, including plans for a “National Garden of American Heroes” featuring 250 statues of iconic Americans such as George Washington, Ronald Reagan, and Jackie Robinson. He has also promoted “Patriot Games” athletic competitions for high school students and ordered renovations around national monuments in Washington.

    Historically, rulers and political leaders often used “jubilee” celebrations to grant mercy or forgiveness, a tradition Trump allies have increasingly referenced as justification for a broader use of presidential clemency powers.

    One of the administration officials helping oversee the current pardon operation is Trump-appointed pardon attorney Ed Martin, who earlier this year argued that pardons are an “essential” part of justice and pointed to historical examples of kings and popes granting mass clemency during anniversary celebrations.

    Trump’s second term has already featured some of the most controversial and sweeping pardons in modern presidential history.

    Most notably, Trump issued a broad pardon for many supporters charged in connection with the January 6 Capitol riot, a move that sparked outrage from Democrats and some Republicans alike. Critics accused Trump of rewarding political allies, while supporters argued he was correcting what they viewed as politically motivated prosecutions.

    Trump has also pardoned several high-profile figures tied to the cryptocurrency world and corporate fraud cases. Those granted clemency include former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao and Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht, whose case became a rallying point for libertarian activists and parts of the crypto community.

    In another controversial case, Trump pardoned former Nikola executive Trevor Milton after Milton was convicted of defrauding investors.

    The administration’s willingness to entertain high-profile pardon requests has also fueled a surge in clemency applications nationwide. The Journal reported that more than 16,000 pardon requests were filed last year — the highest number recorded since at least 1937.

    Among those publicly seeking relief from Trump is disgraced FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, though Trump has publicly mocked the idea of pardoning him.

    There has also been speculation surrounding imprisoned Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell after her legal team floated the possibility of cooperation in exchange for clemency. So far, however, there is no indication Trump is considering such a move. Earlier releases tied to the Epstein investigation showed Trump praising Florida investigators for pursuing Jeffrey Epstein and describing Maxwell as “evil.”

    The looming possibility of another massive clemency push also revives comparisons to former President Joe Biden, who faced bipartisan criticism after commuting the sentences of nearly 2,500 federal inmates during the final stretch of his presidency. Biden’s pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, and his commutation of dozens of federal death row inmates generated particularly fierce backlash.

    Trump allies argue that Biden normalized expansive uses of executive clemency, opening the door for Trump to exercise the same authority even more aggressively during his second term.

    For now, administration officials say discussions remain fluid. But if Trump ultimately moves forward, the pardons would likely become one of the most politically explosive moments of the country’s 250th anniversary celebration — while simultaneously reinforcing Trump’s longstanding view that the presidency’s pardon power should be used far more aggressively than previous administrations were willing to do.

    Official RNC May Audit: Do you still support the MAGA Agenda? Update your RNC profile NOW and stand with President Trump.

    Trump Administration Suspends Official After Explosive Hidden Camera Footage

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    1

    The Trump White House has placed a senior administration official on leave after he was secretly recorded unloading on President Donald Trump in an undercover sting operation orchestrated by conservative activist James O’Keefe.

    Benjamin Ellisten, a senior budget analyst and funding manager working within the administration, was caught on hidden camera calling Trump a “madman” who is “f*cking it up for everybody” during a conversation with an undercover journalist tied to O’Keefe’s operation.

    The footage, which quickly exploded across conservative media and social platforms, appears to show Ellisten venting frustration over Trump’s leadership style, foreign policy decisions, and the administration’s internal operations — comments that ultimately cost him his White House role.

    A White House official confirmed to The Daily Caller that Ellisten has since been placed on administrative leave.

    “He has no direct access to the President or Senior Staff, and does not work on the White House campus,” the official told the outlet. “Such views expressed by the individual are not reflective of patriots who admirably serve in the Administration.”

    According to O’Keefe’s reporting, Ellisten had been employed by the White House since 2024.

    During the undercover conversation, Ellisten repeatedly blasted the president in strikingly personal terms.

    “He’s a madman,” Ellisten said. “Literally. He’s invincible. Nothing can stop him, and that’s dangerous.”

    At another point, he reportedly suggested Trump needed to be removed from office altogether.

    “He’s a mess,” Ellisten told the undercover journalist. “They gotta get rid of him.”

    Ellisten also took aim at Trump’s decision-making process, portraying the president as impulsive and reckless despite acknowledging that Trump does not drink alcohol.

    “The way his decisions are so erratic, you would think he drinks,” Ellisten said. “He doesn’t drink. And that’s what makes it so dangerous, that someone could be of sound mind and body, totally coherent, could just be so reckless in their decision-making. That’s scary.”

    The secretly recorded remarks are likely to further inflame concerns inside the administration about loyalty leaks and internal resistance from career staffers and lower-level political appointees — an issue Trump has railed against since his first term, when anonymous officials and bureaucratic infighting routinely made headlines.

    Ellisten also appeared to accuse the administration of profiting off geopolitical turmoil, floating speculation about insider trading tied to tensions in the Middle East and rising oil prices.

    “The president knows that he affects how people react to the stock market,” Ellisten said. “So one of the things that looks like it’s going on, and going on a lot, is insider trading. Like, for instance, with the war going on in Iran, the price of oil is expensive.”

    No evidence was presented to support the allegation.

    The sting operation also snagged comments from Maxim Lott, a White House special assistant focused on domestic policy, who described the administration’s internal operations as “chaotic” and “uncontrolled.”

    “The decision-making processes are a little bit chaotic,” Lott said in the footage.

    “I think it’s just the overall tone that, like, you know, the government right now is a little bit uncontrolled,” he added. “It’s not gonna fix itself.”

    Lott, who previously worked as a producer for libertarian journalist John Stossel, also claimed lower-level staffers sometimes make policy calls based on what they believe Trump would support politically.

    “In theory, everything should sort of come from the president,” Lott said. “But it might come from the level below him, where they’re like, ‘I think I know the president well enough to say what he would say on this.’”

    He continued: “There’s no like, ‘Oh well, this will cost $10 million but save people $20 million.’ There’s like nothing like that, it’s just, ‘this feels like a good idea’ or ‘the base supports this,’ alright, just sign.”

    Unlike Ellisten, however, Lott defended himself after being contacted by O’Keefe’s team and insisted his comments were not meant as criticism of Trump or the administration.

    “I went out with an individual I thought was a genuine person, but it goes to show how insidious politics and this city can be,” Lott said in a statement. “Nothing I said was contradictory of this Administration, and I remain fully committed to carrying out its agenda.”

    The undercover recordings come as Trump’s White House has aggressively prioritized loyalty throughout the federal government, with administration officials repeatedly warning staffers that public attacks on the president or leaks to the media would not be tolerated.

    For Trump allies, the footage is likely to reinforce long-standing concerns about anti-Trump sentiment simmering beneath the surface inside Washington’s sprawling bureaucracy — even among officials serving within the administration itself.

    Vivek Ramaswamy is ready to make real, impactful change but he can’t do it alone. Help Vivek fight Big Government and restore common sense leadership. Chip in $1 and become part of Ohio’s political revolution!

    White House Counterterrorism Official Says Trump Left Instructions For VP In Case He’s Assassinated

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    3
    Gage Skidmore Flickr

    White House counterterrorism official Sebastian Gorka revealed Wednesday that President Donald Trump has already prepared written instructions for Vice President JD Vance in the event he is assassinated — a striking disclosure that underscores the persistent security threats surrounding the president during his second term.

    Speaking on the New York Post’s “Pod Force One” podcast with host Miranda Devine, Gorka said Trump has contingency plans in place should the unthinkable happen.

    “There is a letter in the drawer in the Resolute Desk that is addressed to the vice president should something happen to him,” Gorka said during the interview.

    The revelation came as Devine raised concerns about Trump’s planned diplomatic travel and the dangers posed by hostile foreign powers, particularly Communist China.

    Referring to Chinese President Xi Jinping and Beijing’s geopolitical ambitions, Devine described Trump as the one leader standing in the way of China’s global dominance.

    “So they have every reason in the world to take him out,” she said.

    Gorka, however, insisted the administration has extensive security precautions in place, even if he declined to discuss specifics publicly.

    “We have protocols, trust me. Not ones I can discuss, but we have protocols,” he replied.

    The comments offered a rare glimpse into the extraordinary security concerns surrounding Trump after surviving multiple assassination attempts and threats over the past several years.

    Trump himself has previously acknowledged taking threats against his life seriously — particularly from Iran. In January, the president revealed he had left “very firm instructions” for how the United States should respond if Tehran successfully assassinated him.

    “If they did that, they would be obliterated,” Trump said at the time. “I’ve left instructions — if they do it, they get blown up. There won’t be anything left.”

    Federal officials have repeatedly warned of Iranian plots targeting Trump and former administration officials following the 2020 U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.

    But the most immediate threats against Trump have come on American soil.

    During the 2024 presidential campaign, Trump narrowly survived an assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, when a gunman opened fire from a nearby rooftop. One bullet grazed Trump’s ear as Secret Service agents rushed him off stage, while rallygoer Corey Comperatore was killed shielding his family from the gunfire.

    The shocking attack triggered widespread scrutiny of the Secret Service and led to multiple congressional investigations into security failures surrounding the event.

    Just weeks later, authorities arrested another suspect after he allegedly camped near Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, armed with a rifle and tactical gear while reportedly waiting for the president.

    Then in April, a separate would-be attacker allegedly attempted to breach security at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton before being intercepted by federal agents.

    The repeated threats have dramatically reshaped Trump’s security posture during his second term, with officials reportedly operating under heightened protective measures both domestically and abroad.

    Gorka’s disclosure about the letter to Vance adds another layer to that reality — signaling that the White House is actively preparing for worst-case scenarios even as Trump continues to project confidence publicly.

    Watch the full podcast:

    Official RNC May Audit: Do you still support the MAGA Agenda? Update your RNC profile NOW and stand with President Trump.

    PayPal Reaches $30 Million Settlement With Justice Dept. Over ‘Unlawful DEI’ Initiative

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    2
    Image via Pixabay free images

    President Donald Trump’s Department of Justice announced Tuesday that PayPal agreed to a $30 million settlement over what the administration described as an “unlawful DEI” initiative that allegedly discriminated on the basis of race.

    “Today, the Justice Department announced a settlement with PayPal Inc. to resolve a fair lending investigation into a discriminatory investment program created for black and minority-owned businesses,” Trump’s DOJ said in a press release.

    According to the Department of Justice, the settlement requires PayPal to establish a new Small Business Initiative that does not use race, national origin, or other protected characteristics as eligibility criteria. Under the agreement, PayPal will waive processing fees for up to $1 billion in transactions — an estimated value of roughly $30 million — for qualifying American small businesses that are veteran-owned or operate in the farming, manufacturing, or technology sectors.

    The agreement also requires PayPal to appoint a director to oversee the initiative, conduct assessments on the needs of small businesses, submit plans and proposals to the federal government, train employees on compliance with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, and provide annual reports on the program.

    The DOJ investigation stemmed from a PayPal fund launched in 2020 that was designed to invest in “black and minority-owned businesses.” Federal officials said the initiative effectively gave preferential treatment to businesses based on race, color, and national origin, which they argued violated federal anti-discrimination laws.

    In a statement announcing the settlement, Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said the administration was following through on President Trump’s pledge to eliminate what it considers unlawful DEI practices across corporate America.

    “American corporations are on notice,” he warned. “You will face our aggressive enforcement if you use race or national origin to discriminate against qualified Americans.”

    Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon similarly warned that companies engaging in race-based discrimination could face significant legal consequences.

    “With this settlement, PayPal agrees that race and national origin should play no part in determining which small businesses deserve its investment and financial support,” she said. “The Department will use the full range of its enforcement authorities to eliminate discrimination and ensure that all Americans have an equal opportunity to grow their small businesses.”

    The PayPal settlement comes as the Trump administration ramps up scrutiny of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs throughout both the public and private sectors. The administration has argued that many DEI initiatives violate civil rights laws by favoring certain racial groups over others.

    The Trump administration also recently filed a lawsuit against The New York Times over allegations that the newspaper engaged in discriminatory hiring and promotion practices tied to DEI policies. Federal officials alleged that a white male employee with extensive experience in real estate journalism was excluded from promotion opportunities because of his race.

    The administration has increasingly framed such cases as part of a broader effort to restore what it calls merit-based hiring and lending standards, while critics argue the crackdown could undermine programs intended to expand opportunities for historically disadvantaged groups.

    READ NEXT: Trump Administration Sues The New York Times Over Racial Discrimination

    Official RNC May Audit: Do you still support the MAGA Agenda? Update your RNC profile NOW and stand with President Trump.

    Trump Admin Announces Plan To Revoke Passports Over Unpaid Child Support

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    4

    The U.S. State Department has begun revoking the passports of thousands of Americans with large unpaid child support debts, according to federal officials.

    The enforcement effort officially began Friday and will initially target parents who owe at least $100,000 in overdue child support. About 2,700 passport holders currently fall into that category, based on figures provided by the Department of Health and Human Services.

    Under federal law, Americans with more than $2,500 in unpaid, court-ordered child support can already be denied a passport or have an existing passport revoked. In a statement released Thursday, the State Department said it is expanding coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services to identify and enforce penalties against delinquent parents who exceed that threshold.

    Officials said the crackdown is intended to pressure parents into complying with court-ordered child support obligations.

    Once revoked, a passport can no longer be used for international travel, even if the debt is later paid, according to State Department guidance.

    The department urged Americans with significant child support debt to contact the appropriate state child support enforcement agency and make payment arrangements before enforcement action is taken.

    “Eligibility for a new passport will only be restored after child support debt is paid to the relevant state child support enforcement agency and the individual is no longer delinquent according to HHS records,” officials said.

    Individuals affected by the policy must work directly with the state agency overseeing their child support case. After the debt is resolved, the Department of Health and Human Services must update its records before the State Department can issue a new passport. Officials said that process can take at least two to three weeks.

    It remains unclear how many Americans could ultimately be affected by the expanded enforcement effort. Officials said that the Department of Health and Human Services is still gathering data from state agencies, but the number of passport holders owing more than $2,500 in child support debt could total many thousands more.

    READ NEXT: Child Protection Controversy Rocks Key Pennsylvania Race

    Trump Announces Ceasefire and Prisoner Swap in Russia-Ukraine War

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    0

    President Donald Trump on Friday announced a three-day ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia to celebrate the Soviet Union’s victory in World War II.

    “This ceasefire will include a suspension of all kinetic activity, and also a prisoner swap of 1,000 prisoners from each country,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “This request was made directly by me, and I very much appreciate its agreement by President Vladimir Putin and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.”

    This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

    Police Officer Chance Bretches was awarded a Lifesaving Medal with Valor for rescuing someone from a burning vehicle…But now radicals are trying to ruin his life just for doing his job. Officer Bretches and his family need your help.[Support Police Officers HERE]

    White House Press Sec. Announces Birth Of Baby Girl

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    2

    On Thursday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced the birth of her second child alongside a brief update on social media.

    “On May 1st, Viviana aka ‘Vivi’ joined our family, and our hearts instantly exploded with love,” Leavitt said in an Instagram post. “She is perfect and healthy, and her big brother is joyfully adjusting to life with his new baby sister. We are enjoying every moment in our blissful newborn bubble.”

    In late April, Leavitt postponed her maternity leave to hold a last-minute press briefing following the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting.

    “Thank you to everyone who reached out with prayers during my pregnancy — I truly felt them throughout the entire experience. God is Good,” she said on social media.

    This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

    Turning Point is funding the largest ballot-chasing operation in U.S. history to win key battleground states. Our grassroots army is already in the field for 2026 and beyond. But they can’t stay there without your support. Donate today to help win the midterms, protect the America First movement, and keep conservatives in power.

    Man Arrested After Theatening To Bomb White House and Kill Trump, Marco Rubio, Pam Bondi

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    5
    President Donald Trump participates in a welcome ceremony with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Al Saud at the Royal Court Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)

    Federal agents hauled in a Florida man accused of unleashing a string of violent online threats against President Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and former Attorney General Pam Bondi — including chilling posts about bombing the White House and using a gun against the commander in chief.

    Nathaniel Sanders II, 32, appeared in federal court Monday after prosecutors say he spent months posting alarming threats on social media targeting top officials, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.

    The feds say Sanders repeatedly threatened to kill Trump, Rubio and Bondi in posts shared between January and April.

    One of the most disturbing messages allegedly posted to X read: “Imma bomb the (expletive) White House.”

    In another alleged video posted to Instagram, Sanders invoked first lady Melania Trump while talking about owning a firearm.

    “I don’t know what to do Melania, like, all I got is a gun. It’s the only thing I can use now is a gun,” Sanders allegedly said, according to the criminal complaint.

    Rubio was also allegedly targeted in a separate video.

    “Like when I get my hands on him, I’m gonna hurt him. Simple as that,” Sanders allegedly said.

    Federal prosecutors didn’t mince words about the seriousness of the threats.

    “Threats against public officials are not political speech,” U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones said in a statement.

    “They are serious federal crimes that endanger public safety and the rule of law. The complaint alleges that this defendant repeatedly threatened to assassinate the President of the United States and other senior officials,” he added.

    “Those allegations will now be tested in court. Our Office will continue working with the U.S. Secret Service and our law enforcement partners to investigate threats, protect public officials, and ensure that those who violate federal law are held accountable.”

    Sanders has been charged with threatening the president of the United States and transmitting threats in interstate commerce. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison.

    The investigation involved the U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Capitol Police, U.S. Diplomatic Security Service and the Miami Beach Police Department.

    “Making threats against the President of the United States is a federal crime, and we treat it with the seriousness it deserves every time,” said Michael Townsend, special agent in charge of the Secret Service’s Miami Field Office.

    “It does not matter where the threat is made or what platform is used, our agents will identify you, investigate you, and work alongside our federal and local partners to bring charges when appropriate,” Townsend added. “We remain relentless in our mission to protect the President and to act swiftly against anyone who puts others at risk.”

    A Secret Service spokesperson told Fox News Digital that Sanders’ arrest stemmed from a “protective intelligence investigation” designed to identify dangerous threats before suspects can act on them.

    FROM THE DESK OF DONALD TRUMP JR. Democrats tried to rig the census by counting millions of illegal immigrants — giving blue states more power in Congress. Now we’re making sure only American citizens are counted. But first, we need to verify our own records. CONFIRM YOUR VOTER INFORMATION NOW.

    Report: Top Trump Official Is ‘On Thin Ice’

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    3
    President Donald J. Trump visits the El Arepazo Doral restaurant, Monday, March 9, 2026, in Miami, Florida. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)

    President Donald Trump may be preparing for yet another high-profile shakeup inside his administration — and this time, the target could be Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary.

    According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, Trump recently blasted Makary behind closed doors for allegedly dragging his feet on approving flavored vape and nicotine products, an issue the president reportedly sees as politically important with younger MAGA voters.

    Sources told the Journal that Makary is now on “thin ice” after Trump “upbraided” him during conversations last weekend.

    The confrontation reportedly came after Trump fielded multiple calls from advisers who argued Makary was standing in the way of the president’s vaping agenda. During the 2024 campaign, Trump vowed to “save” vaping and positioned himself as an ally to vape users frustrated with federal restrictions.

    “Advisers told the president that Makary has blocked Trump’s vaping agenda and described the commissioner as a problem for the administration,” reporters Liz Essley Whyte and Natalie Andrews wrote. “Makary earlier bucked White House preferences by refusing to OK menthol, mango and blueberry vape flavors from Los Angeles manufacturer Glas.”

    The report added that Makary attempted to reassure Trump that he was reconsidering his hardline stance against flavored vape products, though it remains unclear whether the FDA chief ultimately changed course.

    “Some of the people said Makary was weighing becoming more open to vape flavor approvals,” the report noted. “Makary earlier wanted to avoid approving fruit flavors or others potentially appealing to children because he was worried about the public health risks.”

    Makary, a physician and former Johns Hopkins professor, was nominated by Trump to lead the FDA after the president’s 2024 election victory and was confirmed by the Senate in March 2025.

    But if Trump decides to push Makary out, he would become the latest casualty in a growing string of administration shakeups that have rocked Washington in recent weeks.

    Former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem was forced out after months of reported tensions inside the administration, while Attorney General Pam Bondi was recently fired amid frustration from Trump allies over legal and political disputes. Their departures fueled growing speculation that Trump is becoming increasingly impatient with officials he believes are out of step with his agenda.

    The vaping battle has become particularly politically sensitive for Trump, who has tried to balance public health concerns with support from adult vape users and small-business owners in the industry.

    The FDA banned flavored cartridge-based vape products in 2020 amid mounting concerns over youth vaping. Several Democrat-led states, including New York and California, later imposed their own sweeping restrictions on flavored tobacco and nicotine products.

    Now, with pressure building inside the White House, Makary’s future may depend on whether he is willing to fall in line with Trump’s push to loosen those restrictions — or risk becoming the next administration official shown the door.

    FROM THE DESK OF DONALD TRUMP JR. Democrats tried to rig the census by counting millions of illegal immigrants — giving blue states more power in Congress. Now we’re making sure only American citizens are counted. But first, we need to verify our own records. CONFIRM YOUR VOTER INFORMATION NOW.
    123...135Page 1 of 135
    © Great America News Desk 2022