By Laura Cooper and Meridith McGraw

Reynolds American, one of the biggest tobacco companies, made a $5 million donation to a political group aligned with President Trump shortly before his administration decided to lift restrictions on certain flavored vaping products.

The donation to MAGA Inc., the super political-action committee aligned with the president, was recently disclosed in federal fundraising records. It arrived on April 30 and was earlier reported by the New York Times.

Reynolds, the maker of Camel and Newport cigarettes in the U.S., declined to comment.

White House spokesman Kush Desai said, "The only guiding factor behind the Trump administration's health policymaking is Gold Standard Science. FDA's regulatory treatment of nicotine pouches and vapes is rooted in recent evidence that has found they can help adults quit smoking."

Alex Pfeiffer, a spokesman for MAGA Inc., said the group "is pleased to accept legal contributions from those who agree with President Trump's America First Agenda and his goal to Make America Great Again."

Republicans widely expect a difficult time in November's midterm elections, and many think they will lose control of the House. The Senate remains more competitive. The GOP plans to leverage its deep pockets to finance a barrage of ads, as well as far-reaching voter-contact and turnout operations, The Wall Street Journal previously reported. As of last week, MAGA Inc. had about $347 million.

One recent battle inside the administration emerged over former FDA Commissioner Marty Makary's handling of flavored vapes, which advisers told Trump was essential to retaining young MAGA voters.

On May 5, the FDA authorized menthol, mango and blueberry vape flavors from Los Angeles-based manufacturer Glas. Makary resigned the following week after had Trump signed off on a plan to fire him.

The Journal reported that, before the vape decision, Trump upbraided Makary for not moving quickly enough on the matter.

Reynolds is one of the biggest sellers of vaping products under its Vuse brand. Since 2020, the FDA had restricted sales to tobacco-flavored and menthol-flavored vapes amid concerns that fruity flavors appeal to underage users.

Write to Laura Cooper at laura.cooper@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

May 21, 2026 10:19 ET (14:19 GMT)

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