Vanity Fair Article Sparks Controversy
Trump’s chief of staff Susie Wiles hits back at Vanity Fair ‘hit piece’
The Vanity Fair profile, based on nearly a dozen interviews with Wiles, included blunt descriptions of several high-profile figures within the administration.
Among the most notable remarks, Wiles described President Trump as having what she called an “alcoholic’s personality,” despite acknowledging that the president does not drink. She also suggested Vice President JD Vance had spent years as a conspiracy theorist before aligning himself with Trump.
Those characterizations quickly drew backlash following the article’s publication.
Wiles Says Her Comments Were Taken Out of Context
Hours after the story went live, Wiles pushed back publicly, accusing Vanity Fair of omitting key context to support a predetermined narrative.
“Significant context was disregarded, and much of what I and others said about the President and our team was left out,” Wiles wrote.
“The result was an overwhelmingly chaotic and negative narrative.”
She described the piece as a “disingenuously framed hit piece” targeting her and senior members of the administration.
A Central Power Figure in Trump’s Second Term
At 68, Wiles is widely considered one of the most influential figures in President Trump’s second-term White House. She played a pivotal role in Trump’s successful 2024 campaign and made history as the first woman to serve as White House chief of staff.
Her relationship with Trump spans nearly a decade, including her work as his Florida campaign manager in 2016 and her leadership of the Save America fundraising organization.
Explaining Trump’s Leadership Style
In the interview, Wiles credited her upbringing—particularly growing up with an alcoholic father—for helping her understand and manage strong personalities.
“High-functioning alcoholics or alcoholics in general have exaggerated personalities,” she said.
“So I’m a little bit of an expert in big personalities.”
While reiterating that Trump does not drink, Wiles said the president governs with a mindset that there is “nothing he can’t do.”
Remarks on Retribution and Political Adversaries
Wiles also addressed Trump’s approach toward political rivals, acknowledging that retribution can sometimes play a role in his decision-making.
“I don’t think he wakes up thinking about retribution,” she said.
“But when there’s an opportunity, he will go for it.”
Those remarks became one of the most widely circulated excerpts from the article.
JD Vance Responds to Characterization
Vice President JD Vance, another figure mentioned in the profile, was described by Wiles as having shifted his views toward Trump for political reasons.
Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Vance said he had not read the Vanity Fair article and dismissed the label, adding that he only believes in conspiracy theories that are “true,” citing past reporting on former President Joe Biden’s health.
Sharpest Comments Reserved for Elon Musk
Wiles’ most pointed remarks were directed at billionaire Elon Musk, who previously led cost-cutting efforts at the Department of Government Efficiency before departing the administration earlier this year.
She described Musk as unconventional and difficult to manage.
“He’s an odd, odd duck, as I think geniuses are,” Wiles said.
“He is his own person.”
She also referenced Musk’s reported ketamine use and unconventional work habits, including sleeping in the Executive Office Building.
Dispute Over USAID Cuts
Wiles said she strongly opposed proposals to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), recalling that she was “initially aghast” at the idea.
“Anybody who has ever paid attention to USAID believed, as I did, that they do very good work,” she said.
She contrasted Musk’s fast-moving, disruptive approach with more incremental governance, acknowledging that rapid reform can lead to mistakes but arguing that change was still necessary.
White House Defends Wiles
The White House quickly rallied behind Wiles following the article’s publication.
In a statement, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt praised Wiles’ leadership and loyalty, saying she had helped President Trump achieve what the administration considers “the most successful first 11 months in office of any president in American history.”
“President Trump has no greater or more loyal advisor than Susie,” Leavitt said.
“The entire administration is grateful to her steady leadership.”
As of publication, neither President Trump nor Elon Musk has publicly commented on the Vanity Fair profile.
🚨 UPDATE:
Trump Chief of Staff Susie Wiles is pushing back against a newly published Vanity Fair profile, calling the piece a “hit piece” that she says lacks context and misrepresents her remarks.
Wiles, who was interviewed 11 times for the profile, had discussed President Donald Trump’s second term and key figures in his inner circle, including J.D. Vance, Karoline Leavitt, and Marco Rubio.
However, following publication, Wiles criticized how her comments were presented, arguing that the article selectively framed her views and failed to accurately reflect the full scope of the conversations.
The controversy has sparked renewed debate over media coverage of the Trump White House as the administration enters its second term.
🔴 UPDATE: White House and Allies Rally Behind Susie Wiles After Vanity Fair Controversy
Senior White House officials and Trump allies have moved quickly to defend Chief of Staff Susie Wiles following backlash over her recent Vanity Fair profile, signaling that her position inside the administration remains secure despite the controversy.
The article, published Tuesday and based on 11 interviews conducted over the past year, included blunt assessments by Wiles of several high-profile figures, including Attorney General Pam Bondi, Vice President JD Vance, and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, as well as candid remarks about President Trump’s leadership style and approach toward critics.
While the profile placed Wiles — a longtime behind-the-scenes power broker — at the center of the story, those close to the White House have dismissed speculation that the controversy could threaten her role.
Former acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney said there is no indication Wiles’ job is in jeopardy.
“In no way is her job in danger,” Mulvaney said. “All indications are that she is doing a tremendous job, and everyone likes her, including the president. She absolutely stays as chief — and should.”
Mulvaney acknowledged that agreeing to extensive on-the-record interviews with Vanity Fair was a misstep, but described it as “far from fatal,” emphasizing that it does not undermine Wiles’ effectiveness as chief of staff.
In a notable show of unity, administration officials — including some whom Wiles criticized in the article — publicly voiced support. Vice President JD Vance, speaking at an event in Pennsylvania, praised Wiles’ consistency and loyalty, saying she is the same person behind closed doors as she is in meetings with the president.
Attorney General Pam Bondi, whom Wiles said had “whiffed” in her early handling of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, also offered support, referring to Wiles as a “dear friend.”
The coordinated response underscores Wiles’ influence within the West Wing and suggests the White House is eager to contain the fallout as scrutiny over the Vanity Fair interview continues.