
US President Donald Trump has reaffirmed his full support for White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles following a series of explosive interviews published in Vanity Fair, in which Wiles offered candid and sometimes critical assessments of Trump’s inner circle and the administration’s handling of sensitive issues.
Trump Defends Wiles Amid Controversy
In remarks to the New York Post, Trump called Wiles the “most powerful woman in the world” and praised her performance in his administration, stating she had “done a fantastic job.” Despite Wiles’ critical tone in the interviews, Trump emphasized that he had full confidence in her capabilities.
“She has an alcoholic’s personality,” Wiles said of Trump, describing his intense, possessive traits and penchant for vengeance against perceived enemies. Wiles explained that growing up with an alcoholic father prepared her to manage “big personalities” like Trump. Though the president himself does not drink, he acknowledged Wiles’ observation, noting:
“I’ve often said that if I did, I’d have a very good chance of being an alcoholic. I have said that many times about myself. It’s a very possessive personality.”
Criticism of Key Figures
In the Vanity Fair interviews, Wiles expressed candid opinions about other high-profile members of Trump’s administration:
- Pam Bondi, Trump’s Attorney General, was described as failing to understand public concern over the Jeffrey Epstein files. Wiles said Bondi initially provided “binders full of nothingness,” while Vice President JD Vance, a self-described conspiracy theorist, understood the issue more fully.
- Wiles referred to Russ Vought, chief of the White House Office of Management and Budget, as a “right-wing absolute zealot.”
- She also called tech entrepreneur Elon Musk an “odd, odd duck,” reflecting her frank observations on Trump’s advisers.
On Ukraine, Wiles revealed that Trump believes Russian President Vladimir Putin “wants the whole country,” despite U.S. diplomatic efforts to broker peace. She also confirmed Trump’s desire to continue targeting alleged drug boats off Venezuela until President Nicolas Maduro “cries uncle.”
Wiles Pushes Back Against Negative Coverage
Following the publication of the Vanity Fair pieces, Wiles took to X (formerly Twitter) to defend herself, calling the story “a disingenuously framed hit piece” that omitted context and selectively quoted her to create a negative narrative.
Members of Trump’s inner circle echoed support:
- JD Vance stated that he and Wiles had joked about conspiracy theories in private and public, emphasizing her loyalty to the president.
- White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described Wiles as “incredible” and accused Vanity Fair of “bias of omission.”
- Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth also praised Wiles, saying, “There’s absolutely nobody better!”
Conclusion
Susie Wiles remains a pivotal figure in the Trump administration, navigating high-stakes political tensions and offering candid internal insights. Despite controversy stemming from her interviews, both President Trump and senior officials publicly reaffirmed their confidence in her leadership. The episode highlights ongoing internal dynamics and divisions within the White House as Trump’s administration continues to address domestic and international challenges.
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