Chief of Staff Susie Wiles in the Crosshairs, pending outcome of 2026 midterm elections
Power Struggle in Trump White House: Aides Jockey as Susie Wiles Faces Post-Midterms Speculation | 17GEN4 News
WASHINGTON — Top White House personnel have begun openly jockeying for position amid expectations that Chief of Staff Susie Wiles could step down after the November midterm elections, according to a Washington Post report based on interviews with 20 staffers, advisers, and people close to the president. The past week has been described by one Trump ally as “the new Wild Wild West,” with aides bracing for potential Republican losses and internal upheaval that has been muted for much of Trump’s second term.
Believing Wiles might leave or be ousted after the elections, figures including Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte, and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin have begun angling for the chief of staff role, the Post reported. Wiles, the first woman to hold the position and Trump’s longest-serving chief of staff, has given no indication to aides or allies that she plans to depart. High-level White House staffers often cycle out after 18 months to two years, and Trump had multiple chiefs of staff during his first term. A Republican “blowout next month, very likely, will be a wedge that the ambitious use” to claim the office, one Wiles ally told the Post.
The jockeying intensified after Trump reached out to Katie Zacharia about becoming press secretary without consulting Wiles, according to four people familiar with the decision. That move was viewed internally as undermining her authority. Separate Politico Playbook reporting earlier in the week said Trump has privately solicited allies’ views on Wiles and mused about potential replacements, including Miller, New York Yankees president Randy Levine, special envoy Steve Witkoff, Pulte, and former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. One Republican operative close to the White House said of Wiles, “She’s burned a lot of people.” Rivals have reportedly forwarded unfavorable coverage involving her circle, including reports on foreign consulting work by longtime advisers.
President Trump has publicly rejected the reports. On Friday he told CNN there is “zero chance” he is considering replacing Wiles, calling the Politico story “fake” and describing her as “incredible,” “smart and tough,” and noting her recent recovery from breast cancer surgery. He has issued statements affirming that she has his “COMPLETE confidence” and is his “loyal and longest serving Chief of Staff.” A White House spokesperson has dismissed anonymous sources as knowing “nothing,” emphasizing a united team focused on the America First agenda.
The reports come weeks before midterms in which many polls and insiders anticipate Republican losses amid concerns over inflation, gas prices, and other issues. Recent personnel turbulence has included the rapid departure of press secretary Katie Zacharia after roughly five days, the resignation of Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle, and other shifts. Biographer Michael Wolff, commenting on the Politico reporting, described Trump’s inquiries as “the kiss of death” and predicted Wiles would be “toast” after the midterms, saying the president is “poisoning the Susie Wiles ground” by signaling her exit while she is expected to stay through election day.
Wiles has maintained a lower public profile than some predecessors while managing a more stable second-term operation than Trump’s first. Whether she remains after the votes are counted—or whether ambitious aides succeed in positioning themselves—will shape the administration’s direction heading into the second half of the term. Neither Wiles nor the White House has indicated any formal transition plans.
Power Struggle in Trump White House: Aides Jockey as Susie Wiles Faces Post-Midterms Speculation | 17GEN4 News
Top Trump aides including Stephen Miller and Bill Pulte are jockeying for position amid reports some expect Chief of Staff Susie Wiles to step down after the 2026 midterms. Trump denies replacement plans. Full coverage at 17GEN4.com
Susie Wiles step down after midterms, Trump White House power struggle, Stephen Miller chief of staff, Bill Pulte Susie Wiles, Trump aides jockeying 2026, White House chief of staff replacement
will Susie Wiles leave as White House chief of staff after midterms, who is jockeying to replace Susie Wiles, Trump privately asking about Susie Wiles replacements, Stephen Miller Bill Pulte Lee Zeldin chief of staff rumors, Susie Wiles future after 2026 midterm elections
#SusieWiles #TrumpWhiteHouse #Midterms2026 #StephenMiller #PowerStruggle #ChiefOfStaff #17GEN4 #BreakingNews #WhiteHouse
Sources include The Washington Post, Politico Playbook, CNN, and related reporting. Key links: Washington Post, Politico Playbook, CNN.
Comments