White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has disclosed internal tensions within the Trump administration, shedding light on disputes over immigration enforcement, government downsizing and high-profile political decisions, according to comments published by Vanity Fair.
In a series of interviews with author Chris Whipple conducted during President Donald Trump’s first year back in office, Wiles, the first woman to serve as White House chief of staff, described Trump as having “an alcoholic’s personality” and an instinct for vengeance against perceived enemies. She clarified that Trump does not drink, but said he operates with a belief that “there’s nothing he can’t do.”
Wiles said her upbringing with an alcoholic father prepared her to manage strong and unpredictable personalities at the highest levels of power.
Criticism of Vance, Musk and Bondi
Wiles also offered blunt assessments of senior figures within the administration. She said Vice President JD Vance “has been a conspiracy theorist for a decade” and described his transformation from Trump critic to ally as “sort of political,” driven largely by his Senate ambitions.
She criticised billionaire Elon Musk’s dismantling of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), calling his approach ineffective and poorly executed. Wiles said she confronted Musk after staff were locked out of offices, arguing that no reasonable observer could view the process as successful. Musk headed the Department of Government Efficiency, tasked with cutting federal spending and jobs.
Wiles also faulted Attorney General Pam Bondi’s initial handling of the planned release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, saying Bondi “completely whiffed” the issue, which angered Trump’s right-wing base. Bondi had suggested she would release damaging information but later pulled back.
Warnings Trump Ignored
According to the interviews, Wiles warned Trump against pardoning the most violent participants in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack and urged him to delay sweeping trade tariffs until advisers reached consensus. She said she failed to change his mind on either decision, adding that the tariff rollout “has been more painful than I expected.”
She also acknowledged flaws in immigration enforcement, saying deportations should involve greater scrutiny and a “double-check” process to avoid mistakes.
Reactions and Pushback
In response, Wiles called the Vanity Fair article a “disingenuously framed hit piece,” accusing it of omitting context and selectively quoting her remarks. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Wiles remains a loyal and trusted adviser, fully supported by the administration.
Vice President Vance publicly defended Wiles, praising her loyalty and consistency. Bondi also issued a statement backing Wiles and rejecting claims of internal division.
Wiles said she does not view her role as restraining the president but as facilitating his decisions, adding that being overruled was never a source of resentment and that she ultimately stood behind the outcomes.
