Susie Wiles has been battling breast cancer while running the White House, fighting Trump’s impulses daily and watching her inner circle quietly exit the building. According to five insiders who spoke to the Daily Mail, she is now planning her own exit, targeting the November midterms as her off-ramp.
Wiles, 69, is the first woman to serve as White House chief of staff and the architect of Trump’s 2024 campaign victory. She has worked alongside Trump since 2015 and has spent the second term as the person sources describe as the last functioning filter between Trump’s impulses and their consequences. That role has become increasingly untenable as Trump has moved to assert control over personnel decisions she considers catastrophic.
Much of that strain, sources say, has surfaced most clearly around Bill Pulte. When Trump announced Pulte as acting Director of National Intelligence last week, Wiles was said to be blindsided and furious. Three insiders confirmed she had “vehemently” opposed the appointment.
The frustration had been building for weeks.
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“Susie was totally against the Pulte move. As a matter of fact, less than a month ago she tried to have Pulte fired. It was after Trump posted the meme of himself as Jesus. That was Pulte’s idea,” a source familiar with the strained relationship told the Daily Mail.
Four insiders confirmed Wiles called Pulte in for a formal dressing down, warning him that feeding Trump incendiary posts would cost him his job. Trump promoted him to acting DNI instead.
The disagreement also stretched beyond a single appointment. Trump has increasingly resisted Wiles managing his decisions, according to people familiar with the situation. “She is loyal to Trump, but he is now basically saying, ‘Look, Ma, you are not the boss of me,'” one source said.
The strain also reached daily operations, with Wiles trying on several occasions to keep Pulte off Air Force One. Trump overruled her each time.
Wiles has also been managing all of this while continuing cancer treatment. “She is getting cancer treatment and is completely drained, and now Trump is taking more and more control of the White House, which he wanted,” one White House insider said.
Visitors to Trump’s inner sanctum are warned not to touch her because of infection risk during treatment. Despite that, she has continued working virtually full time.
Several close allies have already left or moved into different roles. National security aide Robert Gabriel departed last month alongside Senior White House aide Trent Morse, Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budwich and Special Assistant Sonny Nelson. Some inside her circle are aware of her plans and are coordinating their own exits.
Wiles pushed back in a statement.
“It is completely false and defamatory to suggest I don’t work to help ALL of President appointees as they enter their assignments. The fact is that President Trump selects the best people for his Administration and we all work together to advance his agenda. I have observed how hard [Pulte] works at FHFA, and I believe he will bring that same energy and tenacity as acting Director of National Intelligence.”
Pulte responded: “We would not be here without her leadership. It has been a pleasure to work with her and it will continue to be as I embark on this new position.”
Featured image via X screengrab
