THE DAILY BLAST with Greg Sargent Trump Press Sec Goes Off Rails as Susie Wiles Fiasco Takes Worse Turn
Dec 17, 2025
Asawin Suebsaeng, a political reporter for Zeteo, delves into the recent revelations from White House chief of staff Susie Wiles. Wiles candidly admits that Trump's prosecutions are driven by retribution, shedding light on the administration's dynamics. Suebsaeng discusses how this statement provides defense lawyers with ammunition against selective prosecutions, while exploring the ostentatious praise press secretary Karoline Leavitt offers Trump to deflect scandals. The conversation also examines the implications of these dynamics for democracy and rising authoritarianism.
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Wiles Admits Prosecutions Are Retribution
- Susie Wiles admitted on the record that some of Trump's prosecutions look like political retribution.
- That admission indicates the White House recognizes prosecutions are not purely legal but politically motivated.
Wiles Thought She Was Off The Record
- Sources told Asawin that Wiles likely thought parts of the interviews were off the record or on background.
- That belief helps explain why she made candid admissions that later caused a White House scramble.
White House Expects Favorable Coverage
- The White House reacted by claiming Vanity Fair took quotes out of context and omitted glowing praise.
- That response reveals they expect media to echo admin propaganda rather than just report newsworthy material.