Trump’s Meeting with the Vaping Industry
On a Friday in late September, former President Donald J. Trump took a break from his busy campaign trail to host a private meeting at his Mar-a-Lago estate with representatives from the vaping industry. During this closed-door session, the vaping delegates discussed the need for regulatory relief and expressed their gratitude to Trump for previously “saving” the industry when it faced challenges. This group included prominent figures such as Kellyanne Conway, Trump’s 2016 campaign manager, and Michael Rubino, another aide from that campaign.
As they presented mock-ups of mailers intended for distribution through Election Day, Trump actively engaged with the discussion, seeking their input on what messages he could share on social media regarding a complex regulatory issue affecting the vaping sector. Within hours of the meeting’s conclusion, Trump took to social media to assert his support for the beleaguered e-cigarette industry. He proclaimed, “I saved Flavored Vaping in 2019. I’ll save Vaping again!”
Tony Abboud, the head of the Vapor Technology Association and a participant in the meeting, quickly voiced his enthusiasm, stating he was “pleased” that Trump was “continuing to fight for vapers.” Although the vaping industry has not emerged as a major contributor in the current presidential race, the Vapor Technology Association has been actively distributing these mailers to voters in key battleground states. These communications warn constituents that Democrats aim “to steal vapes from freedom-loving Americans.”
As Trump aspires to reclaim the presidency, it’s evident that he has evolved significantly from his 2016 campaign rhetoric, during which he portrayed himself as a self-sufficient billionaire beyond the reach of corruption. Back then, he scoffed at the Republican Party’s donor-lobbyist class and boasted in his announcement speech, “I don’t need anybody’s money.” In stark contrast, today, Trump is actively seeking financial support from various sources, including small donors online, engaging with fellow billionaires over private dinners at Trump Tower, and soliciting contributions from industries that fall under governmental regulation.
In this pursuit, he has occasionally made explicit promises concerning his plans for these industries should he regain office. This level of transparency and directness towards specific industries, as well as a select group of billionaires, is a rarity in modern presidential politics.
