Trump's Terms Trump, aides back Chief of Staff Susie Wiles after candid Vanity Fair interviews
Dec 17, 2025
Danielle Kurtzleben, an NPR White House correspondent, dives into the revealing Vanity Fair profile of Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. She discusses the candid insights Wiles shared about internal White House conflicts over USAID and tariff disputes. Kurtzleben highlights Wiles' blunt assessments of colleagues like J.D. Vance, contextualizing her controversial remarks about Trump's 'alcoholic personality.' The political implications of these revelations and the administration's responses are also explored, showcasing the tension between transparency and strategy.
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Specific Internal Feuds Revealed
- Wiles named specific internal disputes, including arguments with Elon Musk over USAID and efforts with J.D. Vance to dissuade Trump from large tariffs.
- She also labeled Vance a "conspiracy theorist" and criticized Pam Bondi's handling of Epstein disclosures.
Wiles' Months Of Candid Interviews
- Susie Wiles privately gave months of interviews to Vanity Fair revealing behind-the-scenes disputes and blunt impressions of colleagues.
- Her remarks show a facilitator who routinely herded strong personalities to advance Trump's agenda.
Context Calms Viral Soundbites
- Critical-sounding lines about Trump, like an "alcoholic personality," were contextualized as describing an exaggerated, all-capable persona rather than literal drinking.
- That nuance tempered social media outrage and allowed the White House to rally behind Wiles.