In a display of unwavering loyalty, President Donald Trump has firmly backed his White House Chief of Staff, Susie Wiles, following the publication of a series of remarkably frank interviews she gave to Vanity Fair magazine. The interviews, which included criticism of Vice President, the Attorney General, and other senior officials, sent ripples through Washington but failed to shake Wiles's formidable position within Trump's inner circle.
The Controversial Interviews and White House Fallout
The controversy erupted on Tuesday, December 18, 2025, after Vanity Fair published its profile. Wiles had participated in a series of unusually candid conversations with writer Chris Whipple, offering pointed assessments of administration figures. She questioned some of the president's first-year decisions and was openly critical of the vice president, whom she described as often being a "conspiracy theorist." She also commented on Attorney General Pam Bondi's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, suggesting she had "whiffed" on the matter.
The White House communications office was largely sidelined from the process, and officials were reportedly aghast at the close-up, unflattering photographs of top aides published alongside the article. Wiles's office had directly facilitated a day-long photo shoot for the magazine, inviting other officials to participate. However, the president's reaction was one of dismissal rather than anger. He laughed off suggestions that he would fire Wiles, a top adviser who has been with him for years.
Trump's only noted reprimand was to tell Wiles she shouldn't have spent so much time talking to Vanity Fair, a publication he said is "never good to us." Publicly, on Wednesday, he affirmed her position, telling reporters, "Yes, she's doing a great job." Trump spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt echoed this, calling Wiles "the best chief of staff that President Trump could ever ask for."
A Unified Administration Rallies Behind Wiles
In a significant show of strength, the federal government quickly closed ranks around the chief of staff. Even the officials she had criticised publicly praised her. Vice President affirmed her description of him, Attorney General Bondi called her a "dear friend," and Donald Trump Jr. credited her for supporting him when he was treated as a pariah in Washington, labelling her his father's "most effective and trustworthy" chief of staff.
This 24-hour episode captivated Washington, reminiscent of the personnel dramas that dominated Trump's first term. However, a key difference emerged: there were no internal calls for her resignation or anonymous leaks aimed at undermining her. Instead, the unified response highlighted Wiles's considerable authority and entrenched status. Top allies huddled with her in her West Wing office to weather the brief storm, demonstrating her solid support network.
The Power Broker: Wiles's Role and Influence
Susie Wiles's importance in the Trump orbit is immense. As the first female chief of staff, she is at the centre of nearly every major national security decision in the second term and coordinates the domestic and political agenda. Her trust was earned through loyalty; she worked for Trump in 2016, helped win Florida, and stood by him after the 2020 election when many Republicans would not. She later managed his successful 2024 campaign.
Unlike previous chiefs of staff, Wiles does not see her role as managing Trump himself. Instead, she views herself as the manager of his staff, tasked with implementing the policies he was elected to enact. Her management style is distinct from the president's; she rarely swears, attends church weekly, and is known for her calculating, tough private demeanour. Her sharpest criticism often comes as a question: "Did you think that was helpful?"
She maintains a powerful network, including a group of sharp political operatives—often men, some technically "volunteers"—she informally calls "the boys." Her deputy, James Blair, noted, "She doesn't raise her voice. But she likes being around junkyard dogs."
Wiles expressed disappointment with the final Vanity Fair article, calling it a "disingenuously framed hit piece" in a rare statement posted on Twitter. She claimed her words were taken out of context and said she expected a more positive profile. A longtime operative who prefers the background, Wiles is meticulously protected by White House aides who monitor all press mentions of her.
Ultimately, the episode underscored a key strategy of Trump's second term: not giving the media a "scalp" by publicly fracturing over internal disagreements. The steadfast support for Susie Wiles proved that her position, built on years of loyalty and effective execution, remains unassailable for now.
