WASHINGTON, Dec. 16, 2025 – President Donald Trump acted quickly to quell rumors about problems in the White House on Tuesday. He publicly supported Chief of Staff Susie Wiles after her candid remarks in a Vanity Fair profile ignited fierce debate in Washington and among conservative media.
In an exclusive interview with The New York Post, Trump stated he was not upset by Wiles’ comment that he has an “alcoholic’s personality.” He insisted that the description was accurate, something he had long acknowledged, and that it was taken out of context by what he called a “misguided” interviewer.
The controversy began after the release of a lengthy Vanity Fair profile written by Chris Whipple, a longtime observer of White House power dynamics. The article was based on 11 conversations with Wiles throughout 2025 and included blunt assessments of Trump’s personality, Vice President JD Vance, and Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Instead of anticipating a backlash, Trump fully endorsed his chief of staff, highlighting her crucial role in stabilizing his administration during his second term.
Trump Responds to “Alcoholic’s Personality” Remark
Speaking by phone Tuesday afternoon, Trump responded directly to the controversial phrase.
“No, she meant that I’m – you see, I don’t drink alcohol,” Trump said. “But I’ve often said that if I did, I’d have a very good chance of being an alcoholic. I’ve said that many times about myself.”
At 79, Trump has long identified as a teetotaler, often referencing the death of his older brother Fred Trump Jr. in 1981. Fred died at age 42 from an alcohol-related heart attack. The president emphasized that his choice to abstain comes from self-awareness, not moral judgment.
“It’s a very possessive and addictive type personality,” Trump explained. “I’ve said that many times before. I’m fortunate I’m not a drinker.”
The president rejected the idea that Wiles’ comments showed disloyalty or disrespect.
“Oh, she’s fantastic,” Trump said when asked if he still fully trusted her. “She’s done a fantastic job.”
Vanity Fair Profile Draws Scrutiny
The Vanity Fair article portrayed Wiles as a skilled political operator with significant experience managing “big personalities,” a trait she credited partly to her family background. Wiles is the daughter of the late Pat Summerall, the NFL player and broadcaster who struggled with alcoholism before getting help.
In the profile, Wiles told Whipple that “high-functioning alcoholics or alcoholics in general, their personalities are exaggerated when they drink,” noting that Trump shows similar traits even though he does not drink.
She described the president as believing that “there’s nothing he can’t do”—a perspective that supporters see as a strength and critics view as overconfidence.
The article also offered sharp critiques of other senior officials. Wiles reportedly called Vice President JD Vance “a conspiracy theorist for a decade” and said Attorney General Pam Bondi had “whiffed” in her handling of documents related to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
These comments fueled speculation about rifts within the administration, especially given the sensitivity surrounding Epstein-related documents.
Trump Blasts Vanity Fair, Defends Wiles
Trump stated he had not read the article and dismissed Vanity Fair as a publication that has “lost its way.”
“I don’t read Vanity Fair,” Trump said. “From what I hear, the facts were wrong, and it was a very misguided interviewer, purposely misguided.”
The president suggested that Whipple may have misrepresented what was discussed in his interviews with Wiles.
“Yeah, deceived,” Trump said. “He didn’t have great access—just a couple of very short interviews. And Susie generally doesn’t do interviews.”
Trump also criticized Vanity Fair’s audience and relevance, insisting that the profile did not accurately reflect life in his White House.
“No, she’s fantastic,” he repeated.
Susie Wiles’ Role as Trump White House Chief of Staff
Since taking over as chief of staff, Susie Wiles has gained bipartisan recognition as one of Trump’s most effective senior aides. Unlike several chiefs of staff from Trump’s first term—most notably John Kelly—Wiles has avoided public fights, leaks, and power struggles.
Political insiders credit her with quietly resolving conflicts among Cabinet members, maintaining order in the West Wing, and ensuring smoother policy implementation during Trump’s second term.
In an April interview with The New York Post, Wiles described her approach, which contrasts sharply with the gatekeeping style of previous chiefs of staff.
“I want him to have more inputs, not less,” Wiles stated. “More information, not less, more people talking to him, not fewer.”
She described her main job as making sure Trump receives “unvarnished information and the complete truth,” even when the truth is politically uncomfortable.
Administration officials say this method has lessened the internal fighting that characterised much of Trump’s first term and improved coordination among various agencies.
JD Vance Embraces the Label
Rather than objecting, Vice President JD Vance embraced Wiles’ characterisation during comments to reporters in Pennsylvania.
“Sometimes I am a conspiracy theorist,” Vance said with a smile. “But I only believe in the conspiracy theories that are true.”
Vance added that the comment did not surprise him and that he and Wiles had joked about it privately.
“Susie and I have joked in private and in public about that for a long time,” he said.
This response helped ease potential tension and signaled unity among top administration officials amid increased media attention.
Political Fallout and Media Reaction
The Vanity Fair profile quickly became one of the most talked-about political stories of the week, driving traffic across cable news, online platforms, and social media. Conservative commentators accused the magazine of trying to create division within the Trump administration, while others found Wiles’ honesty refreshing.
From an SEO and media perspective, search terms like “Trump chief of staff Susie Wiles Vanity Fair interview,” “Trump alcoholic personality comment,” “JD Vance conspiracy theorist remarks,” and “White House internal tensions 2025” surged after publication.
High-value political advertising keywords—including “Trump White House staff news,” “Susie Wiles Trump administration,” and “Trump second term leadership style”—also increased as readers sought clarity on whether the remarks indicated deeper instability.
So far, however, the administration has projected calm.
Contrast With Trump’s First Term
Trump supporters quickly compared Wiles’ performance to that of first-term chief of staff John Kelly, who later became one of the president’s most vocal critics. Allies accused Kelly of slowing down directives and trying to restrain Trump’s instincts.
Wiles, in contrast, is seen as a supporter of Trump’s agenda rather than a hindrance—while still providing honest advice behind closed doors.
“She tells him the truth,” said one senior administration official. “And he respects her for it.”
That dynamic is evident in Trump’s reaction to the Vanity Fair profile.
Looking Ahead
For now, Trump has made it clear that Susie Wiles is staying. His strong support sends a message both inside and outside that honest internal assessments—even when awkward—are not grounds for dismissal.
As Trump pursues a bold domestic and foreign policy agenda in his second term, Wiles’ role as a stabilizing force seems secure.
“No, she’s fantastic,” Trump said again, summing up his view succinctly.
Whether the Vanity Fair profile ultimately fades as a media incident or becomes a defining moment of Trump’s leadership style remains to be seen. What is clear is that, at least for now, the president and his chief of staff are firmly aligned—personality traits and all.
