Afterthought: Trump has the personality of an alcoholic – Susie Wiles said out loud what usually remains behind closed doors, but …

Rarely has a sitting White House chief of staff spoken so openly about a president, his closest circle, and the internal fault lines of an administration. Susie Wiles, previously known for discipline, control, and demonstrative restraint, offered insights in several interviews with Vanity Fair that normally only surface years later in memoirs. The reaction was swift. The White House went into defense mode, spoke of a “smear campaign” and quotes taken out of context. What stood out, however, was what did not happen: Wiles did not retract or deny a single one of her statements.

President Trump stood behind his chief of staff Susie Wiles after the Vanity Fair interview and said he was not offended by her description of his personality as “that of an alcoholic,” as he stated in an interview with the New York Post.

“No, she meant that I – as everyone knows – do not drink alcohol. Everybody knows that. But I have often said that if I did drink, I would have a very good chance of being an alcoholic. I have said that many times about myself. I have a very possessive personality.”

“I have said that many times about myself. I am glad that I am not a drinker. Because if I were, it could very well be the case, because I am – how should I put it? Not just possessive – possessive and prone to addiction. I have said that many times, many times.”

“I did not read the article, and I do not read Vanity Fair either – but she has done a fantastic job.” Vanity Fair auch nicht – aber sie hat einen fantastischen Job gemacht.“

“From what I hear, the facts were wrong, and the interviewer was very misguided.”

Wiles portrays Donald Trump as a figure of enormous intensity, someone who thinks in broad strokes but often sets aside process and details. Her characterization of his personality was particularly sharp. She described him as someone with “the personality of an alcoholic,” even though Trump himself does not drink alcohol. What she meant was not addiction, but an exaggerated, dominating manner that she knows from personal experience. Her father, the well-known sports broadcaster Pat Summerall, had shown similar traits. At the same time, she emphasized that she is not a key figure, but rather tries deliberately to steer what she engages with and what she does not.

Even more explosive were her remarks on Trump’s policy of retribution. At the beginning of the second term, there had been a loose understanding that settling scores with political opponents would end after the first 90 days. That hope has collapsed. Wiles acknowledged that Trump’s drive for retribution goes further than planned. While he tries to frame it as a way to prevent what happened to him from happening again, there are moments when he “takes the opportunity.” Asked who could blame him, she answered herself: no one – herself included. She named one concrete example openly: the approach taken against New York Attorney General Letitia James.

Wiles was especially clear in dealing with the Jeffrey Epstein case. She sharply criticized Attorney General Pam Bondi and said she had “botched” the scandal. Bondi had raised expectations by speaking of an alleged client list, only to later say that no such list existed. That had destroyed trust. Wiles also publicly contradicted Trump himself when he linked Bill Clinton to visits to Epstein’s island. There is no evidence for that, she said. Trump had been wrong.

JD Vance responded to a journalist’s question about Susie Wiles’ alleged statement that he was a conspiracy theorist by listing the conspiracy theories he himself believes in.

“I only believe in the conspiracy theories that are true.”

“I believed in the supposedly crazy conspiracy theory in 2020 that it was stupid to mask three-year-olds at the height of the COVID pandemic.”

“I believed in this crazy conspiracy theory that the media and the government were covering up the fact that Joe Biden was clearly unable to do the job.”

“I believed in the conspiracy theory that Joe Biden was trying to throw his political opponents in jail instead of winning an argument against his political opponents.”

“At least with some of these conspiracy theories, it turns out that a conspiracy theory is simply something that was true six months before the media admitted it.”

“At least with some of these conspiracy theories, it turns out that a conspiracy theory is simply something that was true six months before the media admitted it.”

Wiles also appeared disillusioned on economic policy. The widely announced tariffs that Trump celebrated as “Liberation Day” had been internally disputed from the outset. Much of it had been thinking out loud, without a clear line. She had tried to persuade Vance to stop Trump from making public statements until unity had been reached. In vain. Trump proceeded with his course anyway. The consequences, she said, were more painful than she had expected.

According to our reporting, Elon Musk will support Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterm elections to help President Trump lock in the second half of his term. In Susie Wiles’ assessment, Musk is an “odd duck” and a loner.

On immigration policy, Wiles openly admitted mistakes. The deportation of Maryland resident Kilmar Abrego Garcia, which was criticized by a federal judge, should have been examined more carefully. Kilmar is now free again after a hard fight – editor’s note – She was even more explicit about the deportation of two mothers and their U.S. citizen children, including a child with cancer – We were able to bring mother and child back to the United States and the immigration proceedings are ongoing – She said she could not understand how such a mistake could happen, but it did happen – possibly due to excessive zeal by individual agents.

Wiles also presented a more nuanced view of Trump’s stance on Russia than his public statements suggest. While Trump speaks of being able to persuade Vladimir Putin to end the war, Wiles expressed doubts. Experts assume that Putin might be satisfied with further territorial gains, while Trump believes Putin wants the entire country.

Even the military strikes on alleged drug smugglers off Venezuela were framed by Wiles differently than the official line suggests. Trump wants to keep blowing up boats until Nicolás Maduro gives in, she said. The goal is not only drug enforcement, but clearly political pressure on the regime.

After the interviews were published, Wiles tried to calm the waters. She spoke of a tendentious portrait that omitted important context. The White House closed ranks behind her. Trump himself said he had not read the piece and still considers Wiles “fantastic.” What remains striking, however, is this: none of the quoted statements were denied.

Closed line of defense from the cabinet and surrounding circle

Doug Burgum (Secretary of the Interior)
He describes Susie Wiles as an extraordinary leader: disciplined, intelligent, strategic, calm under pressure. She keeps the cabinet focused and is among the most powerful executive figures worldwide working for the good of America.

Scott Bessent (Treasury Secretary)
He praises 2025 as a year of historic achievements for the American people and portrays Wiles as the driving force behind these successes. Her loyalty, dedication, and quiet but effective leadership are beyond reproach.

Chris Wright (Secretary of Energy)
He speaks of false and inflammatory statements that will not be tolerated. Wiles is sharp, authentic, steady, and one of the most competent and courageous leaders he has ever worked with.

Kash Patel (FBI Director)
He labels the reporting “fake news” and says attacks always come when someone is effective. No one on Trump’s team is more effective than Susie Wiles.

Lori Chavez-DeRemer (Secretary of Labor)
She calls Wiles a close friend and mentor and the architect behind Trump’s successful first months in office. She thanks her for loyalty, commitment to “America First,” and support for American workers.

Linda McMahon (Secretary of Education)
She describes Wiles as a “force of nature,” extremely loyal and strategic. Her judgment and steady leadership shaped one of the most historically significant first years of a U.S. administration.

Scott Turner (Secretary of Housing)
He emphasizes Wiles’ decisiveness and work ethic. People outside Washington do not care about media noise, but about results – and Wiles delivers those results together with Trump.

Brooke Rollins (Secretary of Agriculture)
She describes Wiles as the calm, steady hand of the administration with unmatched discipline and loyalty to Trump. The administration is as unified and committed as few before it.

Sean Duffy (Secretary of Transportation)
He speaks of another attempt by the “radical left” to create discord. It will fail. From close collaboration, he attests that Wiles is brilliant, extremely resilient, and fully committed to Trump.

Kelly Loeffler (SBA Administrator)
She highlights Wiles’ role as a brilliant strategist who leads effectively despite media attacks. From day one, she implemented Trump’s agenda, secured the border, and reversed the policies of the previous administration.

Lee Zeldin (Environmental Protection Agency)
He calls Wiles an exceptional chief of staff with immense respect and historic impact. Her partnership with Trump has produced remarkable results in a short time.

Russell Vought (Budget Director)
He emphasizes Wiles’ uncompromising focus on results. No one in the White House has ever worked harder to implement Trump’s agenda. The article will not harm her.

Karoline Leavitt (White House Press Secretary)
She says Susie Wiles helped Trump achieve the most successful first months of a presidency. The entire administration stands united behind her and is grateful for her leadership.

What remains is a rare look behind the scenes of an administration that outwardly projects unity while internally marked by tensions, contradictions, and power struggles. That these insights did not come from opponents but from the president’s most powerful aide herself makes them so explosive. Not because they are loud, but because they are sober, precise, and difficult to walk back.