Trump rejects report he will fire Chief of Staff Susie Wiles
President Donald Trump on Friday denied a Politico report that he was considering replacing White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, saying there was zero chance of a change and that she has his complete confidence.
The denial came in Washington, D.C., as the administration faced intense media scrutiny over rumors that senior staff were being evaluated for the chief of staff role. Politico’s Playbook newsletter had claimed the president was “soliciting allies’ views of Wiles” and floating a list of possible successors, including White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, New York Yankees President Randy Levine, Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte, and former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
“TOTAL FAKE NEWS Politico doesn’t care about facts, integrity, or honest journalism — it’s why I kicked them out of the White House!” Trump said. “Susie Wiles is my loyal and longest serving Chief of Staff – there is a reason for that. She has been with me since the beginning, is my trusted advisor, and has my COMPLETE confidence.”
Trump’s remarks also highlighted Wiles’s recent health challenges. He noted that Wiles had undergone cancer surgery earlier in the year, fully recovered, and continued to play a key role in what he described as “one of the most successful administrations in the world.”
Sources familiar with White House dynamics described three competing factions: “Wiles loyalists,” Jared Kushner allies, and the “MAGA old guard,” each promoting different candidates. Loyalists were said to back Deputy National Security Adviser Mike Needham, Kushner allies favored Steve Witkoff or Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, and the old guard leaned toward Stephen Miller. A “wildcard” name, former presidential personnel director John McEntee, also circulated in the discussion.
“I could not be more happy with Susie. She’s done a great job from day one,” Trump added. “She’s smart, she’s tough, and she just went through a lot with the cancer surgery and the whole thing, and she recovered, fully recovered. She’s phenomenal.”
Trump’s forceful dismissal of the story underscores a broader clash between the administration and media outlets that report on internal personnel speculation. By labeling the article a “fake story,” the president reaffirmed his willingness to publicly challenge reporting he deems inaccurate.
While Trump’s statements left no indication of an imminent change, insiders say the debate over a potential successor continues behind closed doors, suggesting the White House will remain a focal point for political maneuvering in the coming months.
