Susie Wiles, left, and Donald Trump in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on October 17, 2025.
Photo: AFP / Tom Brenner

Analysis: It was eight years ago that then-Trump White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci gave one of the most unvarnished - and infamous - political interviews of all time. Scaramucci made off-colour remarks about the White House's chief strategist and derided its chief of staff as a "paranoid schizophrenic".

White House chief of staff Susie Wiles' two-part set of interviews with Vanity Fair isn't as crass as Scaramucci's, but it's in the same vein - and perhaps even more stunning from someone known as a studied, behind-the-scenes operator. When the history of the Trump presidencies is written, it's likely to figure substantially.

The Vanity Fair articles appear to have rocked the administration, with Wiles distancing herself from her portrayal on Tuesday morning (US time). She said on X that it was "a disingenuously framed hit piece on me and the finest President, White House staff, and Cabinet in history." She said it was missing context.

The money quote from the interview might be Wiles saying that Trump - a known teetotaller - has an "alcoholic's personality".

Trump gave Wiles a vote of confidence in an interview later on Tuesday with the New York Post, casting doubt on the accuracy of the report. But he suggested he saw some truth in her comment about him, because even though he doesn't drink, he does have a "possessive and addictive type personality".

"I didn't read it, but I don't read Vanity Fair - but she's done a fantastic job," Trump told the Post.

US President Donald Trump speaks with White House chief of staff Susie Wiles before departing the White House in Washington, DC.
Photo: AFP / Saul Loeb

But Wiles' comments about other top officials are even more interesting - and often uncharitable.

Indeed, they're the kinds of quotes that could create some hard feelings internally.