White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has disputed portions of a Vanity Fair article that paints an unflattering picture of the Trump administration and many of its top officials.
In the interview, Wiles described Donald Trump as having an 'alcoholic's personality' and Vice President JD Vance as a 'conspiracy theorist' for a decade. However, in a post on X, Wiles criticized Vanity Fair for disregarding 'significant context' in crafting what she termed 'an overwhelmingly chaotic and negative narrative' about the administration.
Wiles, 68, played a crucial role in Trump's successful 2024 presidential campaign and has made history as the first woman to serve as White House Chief of Staff.
Throughout her conversations with Vanity Fair, Wiles discussed a wide array of topics, including handling of Epstein files, Trump's legal pursuits against political rivals, and the dynamics among the president's close associates. She admitted to some elements of retribution in Trump's legal actions against opponents but emphasized that he doesn't primarily focus on retribution.
Wiles, regarded as a powerful force in the Trump White House during his second term, has a history of working with Trump, serving as his campaign manager in Florida in 2016 and heading his fundraising committee, Save America.
Reflecting on her background with an alcoholic father, Wiles noted that this experience provided her with the skills required to navigate the complexities of working with Trump. She elaborated, saying that high-functioning alcoholics have distinctly exaggerated personalities, which she likened to Trump's governing style.
In the wake of the Vanity Fair publication, Wiles also commented on figures such as JD Vance and tech mogul Elon Musk. Vance, now aligned with Trump, responded ambiguously to claims made about him, maintaining that he believes in only 'true' conspiracy theories.
Wiles described Musk, who had a contentious relationship with Trump, as an 'avowed Ketamine user' and an 'odd duck', stating his unconventional nature can be disruptive but that he is indeed an individual of immense talent.
On social media shortly after the article's release, Wiles reiterated her defense, stating that key information was omitted to foster a misleadingly negative portrayal of their administration. The White House echoed her sentiments, praising her contributions during Trump's presidency.
