While much of the Trump administration has sparked controversy, the FDA’s consumer-first reforms may be remembered as its brightest legacy. From AI-driven drug reviews to bans on artificial dyes, the FDA’s agenda resonates with the public in ways few Trump-era policies have.

In a presidency defined by polarization, the FDA under Commissioner Marty Makary has emerged as an unlikely source of unity. Makary’s reforms—integrating AI into drug reviews, banning harmful food dyes, and clarifying processed vs. ultra-processed food labeling—have aligned with public concerns across the political spectrum. The pursuit of expedited drug reviews processes and the removal of controversial additives like Red Dye No. 3, are just a few initiatives supported by industry and the public alike. In contrast to the controversies surrounding immigration, taxes, and spending, the FDA’s direction could stand as Trump’s most constructive legacy: a tangible, people-centered effort to safeguard health and restore trust in government.

In an administration often mired in controversy, President Donald Trump’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA), under the leadership of Commissioner Marty Makary, has emerged as a surprising beacon of innovation and public alignment. While Trump’s legacy has been clouded by divisive policies on immigration, government spending, and taxation, the FDA’s new trajectory under Makary is carving out a distinctly different narrative—one that could, perhaps, stand as the administration’s saving grace. The many goals of Commissioner Makary’s initiatives align with public sentiment, positioning the FDA’s work to ultimately become the enduring bright spot in what many perceive to be an otherwise tumultuous presidency.

Marty Makary’s Mission: Modernizing the FDA’s Role

Dr. Marty Makary, a surgeon, public health advocate, and policy thinker, assumed the FDA Commissionership with a clear vision: modernize the drug approval process, embrace technology, and reorient the agency toward consumer safety and transparency. At a time when skepticism toward government institutions is on the rise, Makary’s approach reflects not only a technical agenda but also a cultural shift. His leadership has emphasized several priorities including:

1. Accelerating Drug Discovery and Approval: Makary has fast-tracked the integration of artificial intelligence into the FDA’s review pipeline, enabling faster and more accurate analysis of drug trial data. Traditionally, reviewing thousands of pages of clinical trial evidence required immense human labor and years of deliberation. With FDA’s new AI system—internally known as “Elsa”—the agency has begun automating repetitive tasks in submissions and pilot testing AI-assisted reviews. In May 2025, the FDA announced completion of its first AI-assisted scientific review pilot and committed to an agency-wide rollout later in the year. While still in its early stages, this initiative aims to reduce bottlenecks in the review process without sacrificing scientific rigor.
2. Food Safety and Nutrition: Makary has made nutrition and food safety central to the FDA’s mission. His decision to eliminate artificial food dyes such as Red Dye No. 3—linked in studies to potential carcinogenic risks—and Yellow Dye No. 5—associated with hyperactivity in children—marks a direct response to public concern about hidden additives in the American diet. Beyond that, his push to clearly differentiate “processed” foods from “ultra-processed” foods provides consumers with the transparency they need to make informed dietary choices. For decades, food labels have been criticized as misleading or overly complex; Makary’s plan seeks to simplify without oversimplifying, empowering consumers instead of confusing them.
3. Public Engagement and Trust: Unlike many agencies under the Trump administration that have suffered credibility issues, the FDA under Makary has engaged the public directly. Through transparent communication, evidence-based policy, and a willingness to act on consumer advocacy, the FDA is re-establishing its reputation as an agency that prioritizes health over politics.

Why the FDA’s Agenda Resonates with the American Public

While Americans are deeply polarized over immigration and taxation, they remain united around healthcare and nutrition. Families across political spectrums worry about prescription costs, food safety, and whether innovation is being stifled by bureaucracy. By focusing on these concerns, Makary’s FDA has tapped into a rare point of consensus.

• Drug Innovation: The American public is acutely aware of the lag between scientific discovery and patient access. Families with members battling cancer, rare genetic conditions, or neurodegenerative diseases often endure years of waiting while promising drugs navigate the labyrinthine approval process. The FDA’s early AI pilot projects, aimed at automating portions of the review process, show potential to make these timelines shorter in the near future. Patient advocacy groups have applauded the shift, though they caution that speed must not overshadow safety.
• Food Policy: In an era when obesity, diabetes, and diet-related illnesses are reaching epidemic levels, Makary’s focus on food quality resonates strongly. His stance on artificial food dyes mirrors parental concerns, while his efforts to distinguish processed foods from ultra-processed foods speak directly to the consumer demand for transparency in labeling. Parents of children with ADHD, for example, have long argued that synthetic dyes exacerbate behavioral issues. For them, Makary’s decision represents a long-awaited victory.
• Nonpartisan Issues: Unlike immigration or tax policy, health and food safety are not inherently partisan. By addressing them with evidence-based reforms, Makary has positioned the FDA as an agency working in alignment with public interest rather than political agendas.

A Rare Bright Spot in a Contentious Administration

The Trump administration has often been defined by conflict—with the press, with the courts, and even within its own ranks. In contrast, the FDA’s new direction stands out not for the controversies it sparks, but for the consensus it builds. Public health advocates, consumer watchdog groups, and even industry leaders have found common ground with many of Makary’s initiatives. This unusual harmony is worth noting in an era when bipartisanship feels increasingly rare.

Moreover, the FDA’s progress provides Trump with something few of his other policies can: a tangible benefit that directly touches the daily lives of millions of Americans. Whether it’s the parent grateful for the removal of Red Dye No. 3 from their child’s snack foods, or the patient hopeful that AI-driven streamlining will make lifesaving therapies available sooner, the FDA’s decisions under Makary are felt personally and immediately.

Challenges and Critical Perspectives

Of course, not all is smooth sailing. The FDA faces ongoing challenges, including pushback from industries resistant to stricter food regulations, concerns about AI’s role in safeguarding against errors in drug approval, and the perennial tension between speeding access and ensuring safety.

• Industry Resistance: Food manufacturers have raised alarms about the cost of reformulating products without artificial dyes, warning of higher prices and potential job losses. Major candy producers, for example, argue that alternative natural dyes may alter taste and appearance. Similarly, some pharmaceutical companies are cautious about increased AI oversight, fearing greater scrutiny of trial data.
• AI and Oversight: Critics from groups like Public Citizen caution that while AI can process information faster, it is not immune to bias or error. Algorithms are only as good as the data they are trained on, and transparency becomes critical when AI is used in decisions that affect millions of lives. The FDA has attempted to assuage these fears by emphasizing “AI-assisted” rather than “AI-dominated” reviews, maintaining human oversight.
• Lobbying Pressure: Nutrition experts warn that defining “ultra-processed” foods will inevitably spark intense lobbying from powerful food corporations. Critics cite previous cases, such as the fight over trans fats, where industry influence delayed regulatory action for years.

The Global Context: How the FDA Stacks Up

Makary’s FDA is not working in isolation. Around the world, regulators have grappled with similar challenges, and comparing these efforts highlights both the boldness and caution of the FDA’s direction.

• Food Dyes Abroad: The European Union banned Red Dye No. 3 decades ago and requires warning labels on foods containing other synthetic dyes, alerting parents that they may cause hyperactivity in children. The United Kingdom pressured manufacturers to voluntarily eliminate artificial dyes from candies and cereals. Canada has taken a cautious stance, restricting certain dyes and continuing reviews of others. By aligning U.S. standards with those already embraced internationally, Makary’s FDA is finally catching up with stricter global protocols.
• Drug Approval Timelines: Europe’s regulatory agency, the EMA, has experimented with adaptive licensing and real-time data review for promising therapies. Canada’s Health Canada has introduced accelerated pathways for rare disease treatments. What sets Makary’s FDA apart is its reliance on AI to reduce bottlenecks, an innovation that has attracted global attention. Other countries are watching closely, balancing admiration for the efficiency gains with caution about potential risks.

This global perspective underscores how Makary’s reforms are part of a broader international trend toward modernization, though the FDA’s technological embrace is among the most ambitious.

Could the FDA Be Trump’s Saving Grace?

The question remains: in the long sweep of history, could the FDA’s transformation under Makary stand out as Trump’s most constructive legacy? The answer, surprisingly, may be yes. While immigration bans and tax cuts dominate headlines today, the FDA’s reforms could leave an enduring impact on public health and consumer confidence. If future generations see healthier food systems, quicker access to lifesaving drugs, and a more responsive regulatory framework, those achievements will be linked to decisions made during this administration.

What makes this possibility so remarkable is that it runs counter to the dominant narrative of the Trump presidency. In a political landscape marked by division, the FDA’s path under Makary represents unity. In an administration criticized for undermining science, the FDA is doubling down on evidence. In a government often accused of putting politics before people, the FDA is prioritizing consumers.

A Shining Star in a Shaded Legacy?

President Trump’s tenure has been anything but ordinary. While his critics argue that history will judge him harshly, it is also true that history is rarely one-dimensional. Amid the controversies, there are pockets of progress—and the FDA under Marty Makary may be the brightest of them all. By embracing innovation, prioritizing food safety, and rebuilding trust, the FDA has positioned itself not only as a functional government agency but as one that reflects the concerns and hopes of the American people.

If Trump is remembered for anything beyond the controversies and political battles, it may well be that his FDA commissioner gave Americans what they wanted most: health, safety, and hope. And in the annals of history, that could prove to be no small feat.

– Idris B. Odunewu is an executive editor at Use Our Intel, covering security, technology, governance, and global health.