Susie Wiles’ Candid Interviews Offer Rare Window Into Trump’s Second-Term White House

The White House chief of staff, Susie Wiles, has offered an unusually direct account of President Donald Trump’s leadership style, policy instincts, and inner circle in a series of interviews published by Vanity Fair, prompting swift reactions across Washington and within Trump’s own political orbit.

Speaking over more than 10 interviews conducted over the past year with author Chris Whipple, Wiles described a president driven by instinct, loyalty, and at times retribution, while also acknowledging moments where her counsel was disregarded on major policy and political decisions. The comments, published Tuesday, stood out for their breadth and candor from a senior official who has otherwise maintained a low public profile during Trump’s second term.

A Rarely Public Chief of Staff Speaks Freely

Wiles, who has been widely credited by allies and critics alike with stabilizing the West Wing, characterized Trump as having what she called “an alcoholic’s personality,” despite the president being a longtime teetotaler. She framed the remark as an observation about exaggerated personality traits rather than substance use, citing her personal background growing up with an alcoholic parent.

“High-functioning alcoholics or alcoholics in general, their personalities are exaggerated when they drink,” Wiles said, adding that Trump governs with a belief that “there’s nothing he can’t do. Nothing, zero, nothing.”

The comments were particularly striking given Wiles’ reputation as a disciplined and cautious political operator. Trump has repeatedly referred to her publicly as the “most powerful woman in the world,” and she is known to be a near-constant presence in meetings while rarely speaking to the press.

Her participation in Whipple’s reporting was notable in part because Whipple’s book The Gatekeepers is regarded as a definitive examination of the chief of staff role, making Wiles’ openness stand out among her predecessors.

Trump Responds, White House Closes Ranks

Trump appeared to downplay the significance of the remarks when asked about them by the New York Post. He said he had not read the article, adding that he does not read Vanity Fair, but praised Wiles’ performance as chief of staff.

“She’s done a fantastic job,” Trump said, while acknowledging that he agreed with her description of him having a “possessive and addictive type personality.”

The White House moved quickly to signal unity. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement that Trump “has no greater or more loyal advisor than Susie,” adding that the administration stood “fully behind her steady leadership.”

Wiles herself later pushed back strongly against the article’s framing, writing on X that it was a “disingenuously framed hit piece” that omitted context and selectively quoted her remarks to portray the administration negatively. Notably, her statement did not dispute the authenticity of the quotes themselves.

Acknowledging Retribution and Political Consequences

Among the most politically sensitive remarks were Wiles’ comments on retribution. She acknowledged that some actions taken during Trump’s second term could reasonably be perceived as vindictive, particularly when asked about prosecutions involving political opponents.

“I mean, people could think it does look vindictive,” she said when questioned about the failed prosecution of former FBI Director James Comey. “I can’t tell you why you shouldn’t think that.”

Wiles added that while Trump does not begin his day focused on revenge, “when there’s an opportunity, he will go for it.” She also suggested that accusations against New York Attorney General Letitia James might represent a clear example of retributive action.

Policy Disagreements and Unheeded Advice

The interviews also revealed several instances where Wiles said her advice was ignored. She expressed concern over deportation policies, saying the administration needed to “look harder” to avoid mistakes, and said she urged Trump not to pardon the most violent participants in the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot, advice that was ultimately rejected.

On foreign policy, Wiles suggested Trump was motivated by a desire for regime change in Venezuela, describing a strategy of escalating pressure against President Nicolás Maduro. She acknowledged that any direct military action would require congressional authorization, despite Trump’s public rhetoric suggesting imminent action.

Wiles also said she unsuccessfully pushed for delaying major tariff announcements amid internal disagreement among advisers, and encouraged Trump to focus more on domestic economic issues rather than Saudi Arabia.

Assessments of Allies and Cabinet Officials

Wiles offered blunt assessments of several prominent figures in Trump’s orbit. She described Vice President JD Vance as having been “a conspiracy theorist for a decade,” suggesting his shift from Trump critic to ally was politically motivated. Vance later acknowledged he “sometimes” embraces conspiracy theories, while defending Wiles as loyal and effective.

On tech billionaire Elon Musk, a former Trump ally, Wiles described him as “an odd, odd duck,” while expressing alarm at his role in dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development. She also said Musk is an “avowed ketamine” user, a characterization that drew attention given Musk’s influence in conservative circles.

Wiles was particularly critical of Attorney General Pam Bondi’s handling of the Epstein files, saying Bondi “completely whiffed” by distributing binders that contained little substantive information and by implying the existence of a client list that Wiles said does not exist. Bondi later defended Wiles publicly, calling her a close friend.

She also labeled Russell Vought, head of the Office of Management and Budget and a key figure behind Project 2025, a “right-wing absolute zealot,” though Vought later emphasized their alliance and praised her leadership.

Shockwaves Inside Trump Circles

The interviews sent ripples through Trump’s political network, with aides and allies expressing surprise at the level of candor. One ally described the reaction as immediate and widespread, while a senior adviser summed it up succinctly: “Yikes.”

Speculation quickly followed over Wiles’ motivations, with questions raised about whether the comments reflected internal tensions, miscommunication with the author, or a calculated decision. Several advisers noted that the quotes closely matched Wiles’ known speaking style, reinforcing the perception that the remarks were deliberate.

Despite the controversy, there has been no indication that Wiles’ position is in jeopardy. If anything, the swift public support from Trump and senior officials underscored her central role in an administration that continues to prize loyalty, even amid unusually frank internal critiques.