Trump considers replacing chief of staff Susie Wiles

Summarised from 3 outlets · 6 reports · Updated 17 Oct, 04:03 · Archive

President Trump has been calling allies about replacing chief of staff Susie Wiles, though he later said there is 'zero chance' of her firing.

President Trump has been soliciting views from allies on whether to replace his chief of staff Susie Wiles, Politico reported on Thursday. The president called around a roster of informal outside advisers following media reports of the discussions, which triggered intense speculation about Wiles' future at the White House. One GOP operative told outlets that Wiles has 'burned a lot of people' in leading Trump's administration, whilst a Republican elected official said Trump has mused about elevating Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller or bringing in New York Yankees executive Randy Levine.

Other names in the frame include Steve Witkoff, Trump's roving peace negotiator; federal housing boss Bill Pulte; EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin; and Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton. The Daily Mail reported that three warring factions within Trump's circle are backing different candidates: Wiles loyalists support deputy national security adviser Mike Needham; allies of Jared Kushner are pushing Witkoff and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins; and the MAGA old guard backs Miller and Pulte. The outlet also identified John McEntee, a Trump ally from his first term, as a potential wildcard candidate.

On Friday, Trump moved to end the speculation. 'There is zero chance' he replaces Wiles, Trump told reporters. 'She's phenomenal. Susie is here and she's going to be here for a long time.' A close outside adviser told the New York Post that Trump 'really meant that'. Wiles, the first woman to serve as White House chief of staff, was declared cancer-free last month. She is widely credited with bringing stability to the West Wing after Trump's first term was marked by constant personnel upheaval.

Wiles and her supporters have reportedly been working to shore up backing for her position by calling around Washington to enlist Trump's friends to speak positively about her. The Washington Post reported that senior staff are often reshuffled after midterm elections, when the president's party typically performs poorly. A Wiles supporter suggested that a poor midterm performance could provide ambitious aides an opening to pursue the chief of staff role. A White House spokesperson dismissed the reports, stating: 'These anonymous sources know nothing. President Trump assembled a united team focused on his America First agenda — not the egos and political games of anonymous outsiders.'

How it is being reported

• 'Susie Wiles gave the kill order': Brutal inside story of Katie Zacharia's firing and how Trump's Ice Maiden laid primetime 'trap' to snare disaster press secretary... as TV star frontrunner to replace her is revealedWhile the president had been the one to wield the axe, the Daily Mail can exclusively reveal that it was Trump's redoubtable chief of staff, Susie Wiles, who orchestrated the execution.Daily Mail · 17 Oct, 00:53
• Trump stands by Susie Wiles as knives come out at White House before midtermsPresident Trump sought to put to rest two days of speculation that he might replace White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, saying Friday there is "zero chance" of her firing and that Wiles is "going to be here for a long time."New York Post · 16 Oct, 22:32
• Secret list to replace Susie Wiles leaks: The five names drafted for Trump's most powerful job as explosive White House battle spills outThree warring factions in Trump world are scrambling to install a successor to Susie Wiles, seven insiders have told the Daily Mail.Daily Mail · 16 Oct, 21:40
• Trump ‘blew up’ after Natalie Harp printed out Susie Wiles ouster reports sparking White House ‘freakout’: reportTrump is furiously phoning friends and allies for their opinions on White House Chief of Staff Susie WilesIndependent World · 16 Oct, 14:27
• Trump ousting Susie Wiles rumors have Stephen Miller and Bill Pulte reportedly jockeying for positionTrump has reportedly started calling allies and discussing potential replacements for WilesIndependent World · 16 Oct, 14:24
• Trump is reportedly looking to replace Susie Wiles: ‘She’s burned a lot of people’President’s top aide has been left out of the loop on several major decisions in recent weeksIndependent World · 15 Oct, 13:51

In this story: Donald Trump · Susie Wiles · Stephen Miller · Bill Pulte · Randy Levine · Steve Witkoff · Lee Zeldin · White House

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem