The 11th Hour with Stephanie Ruhle White House launches into damage control after Susie Wiles' Vanity Fair interview about Trump, Cabinet officials
Dec 17, 2025
Peter Baker, Chief White House correspondent for The New York Times, shares his insights on Susie Wiles’ revealing Vanity Fair interview that suggests tensions within Trump's administration. He discusses implications of her comments about cabinet dynamics. Retired Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling provides legal analysis on Trump's recent blockade of Venezuelan tankers, addressing international law and potential military actions. The conversation weaves through economic concerns as unemployment rates rise and the political fallout unfolds.
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White House Candor Fuels Damage Control
- Susie Wiles' Vanity Fair interview revealed candid internal views about Trump and his cabinet that White House aides didn't deny.
- The administration framed the piece as out-of-context while rallying publicly behind Wiles to contain political fallout.
Retribution Shapes Policy Choices
- Peter Baker says Wiles' remarks confirm a White House driven in part by retribution and score-settling.
- Her comments also reveal administration aims on Venezuela that may imply regime-change ambitions.
Wiles' Clarifications After Recorded Interviews
- Susie Wiles tried to clarify remarks, saying she used personal experience to describe Trump's exaggerated personality.
- Peter Baker listened to recorded tapes and noted she did make the original statements during multiple interviews.