Trump Appoints Kyle Diamantas, Don Jr.'s Hunting Partner, as Acting FDA Commissioner

President Donald Trump has appointed Kyle Diamantas, a 38-year-old lawyer and close friend of Donald Trump Jr., as the acting commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This decision follows the resignation of Dr. Marty Makary, a Johns Hopkins surgeon who previously held the role. Diamantas, who lacks a medical degree, initially joined the FDA in 2025 as the director of the human foods program. His rapid ascent to acting commissioner highlights a trend in Trump’s second administration where personal loyalty and connections often outweigh traditional professional qualifications. The appointment comes amid significant turmoil within the agency, including severe staff reductions driven by DOGE initiatives and the departure of numerous scientists. Experts note that Diamantas was one of the few remaining deputy commissioners capable of assuming leadership after the organizational structure was depleted. While his lack of medical expertise is unusual for the role, some observers describe his leadership style as more balanced compared to recent predecessors who were involved in internal conflicts and controversial regulatory decisions. The FDA oversees products representing approximately twenty-five percent of the U.S. economy, making this leadership change critically important for public health and economic stability.