In a strong show of support, President Trump and members of his Cabinet rallied behind White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles on Tuesday, following the publication of a critical two-part article by Vanity Fair. The piece features revealing insights and blunt assessments from Wiles regarding the president's inner circle, his first year in office, and Trump himself. Authored by journalist Chris Whipple, the article is based on 11 interviews conducted with Wiles between January 11 and November 5.
According to Vanity Fair, Wiles characterized President Trump, who is known for abstaining from alcohol, as possessing an "alcoholic's personality." She elaborated that individuals with high-functioning alcoholism often exhibit exaggerated personalities when drinking, claiming, "I'm a little bit of an expert in big personalities." Wiles went on to describe Trump's perspective on his capabilities, stating, "Nothing, zero, nothing," reflecting his unwavering confidence.
In response to the article, President Trump told the New York Post that he hadn't read the piece but praised Wiles as "fantastic." He further clarified her comments about him, admitting that while he does not drink, he recognizes traits in himself that could lead to alcoholism if he did. “I could very well, because I’ve said that—what’s the word? Not possessive—possessive and addictive type personality,” he explained.
The article also includes Wiles' critical remarks regarding key administration figures. She labeled Vice President JD Vance as a "conspiracy theorist" and described Attorney General Pam Bondi's handling of the Epstein files as a complete failure. Additionally, Wiles criticized the early closure of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), stating, "No rational person could think the USAID process was a good one.”
In her first social media post in over a year, Wiles, 68, labeled the Vanity Fair article a "disingenuously framed hit piece." She claimed that significant context was omitted to create a chaotic and negative narrative about both her and President Trump. Wiles did not contest the accuracy of her quotes but expressed concern about the portrayal of her statements.
Following the article's publication, top administration officials came to Wiles' defense. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shared supportive comments from various members of the administration. Russ Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget, commended Wiles as an "exceptional chief of staff," while Bondi emphasized Wiles' loyalty and effectiveness in advancing President Trump’s agenda.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth criticized the article as a smear against both President Trump and Wiles, asserting, "This is what the Left does: trash & smear our best & most effective people." Similarly, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy denounced the article as an attempt to create discord within Trump's team, affirming their support for Wiles.
When asked about Wiles' comments regarding him, Vice President Vance admitted he had not yet read the article but acknowledged his reputation as a conspiracy theorist. He stated, "Sometimes I am a conspiracy theorist, but I only believe in the conspiracy theories that are true." Vance added that he and Wiles have shared jokes about such topics in the past, expressing his desire for fewer interviews with mainstream media outlets in light of the article.
As the controversy continues, the support for Susie Wiles from President Trump and his Cabinet underscores the loyalty and unity within his administration, despite the challenges posed by external narratives.