White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has disputed a Vanity Fair article portraying the Trump administration negatively. The profile quoted her describing Donald Trump as having “an alcoholic’s personality” and VP JD Vance as a former “conspiracy theorist.” In a post on X, Wiles said the magazine omitted “significant context” to create “an overwhelmingly chaotic and negative narrative.”
President Trump defended Wiles, calling her “fantastic” and suggesting she was deceived. In the interview, Wiles discussed various topics, admitting “there may be an element of” retribution in Trump’s legal pursuits against foes. “I don’t think he wakes up thinking about retribution,” she added. “But when there’s an opportunity, he will go for it.”
Wiles also commented on other figures, suggesting Vance’s political shift was “sort of political.” She reserved strong criticism for former official Elon Musk, describing him as an “avowed Ketamine [user]” and an “odd, odd duck.” She opposed his gutting of USAID, stating, “no rational person could think the USAID process was a good one.”
The White House strongly defended Wiles. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated Wiles “has helped President Trump achieve the most successful first 11 months,” calling her his most loyal advisor. Leavitt accused Vanity Fair of “bias of omission” and taking quotes out of context. Musk has not commented.