President Donald Trump has been asking allies what they think of White House chief of staff Susie Wiles and musing about possible replacements, Politico's Playbook reported Thursday, citing four people with direct knowledge of the conversations. Trump flatly denied it.
According to the report, names Trump has floated include Stephen Miller, Randy Levine, Steve Witkoff, Bill Pulte and Kevin McCarthy.
Trump answered in a statement to Politico.
"TOTAL FAKE NEWS Politico doesn't care about facts, integrity, or honest journalism — it's why I kicked them out of the White House! Susie Wiles is my loyal and longest serving Chief of Staff — there is a reason for that. She has been with me since the beginning, is my trusted advisor, and has my COMPLETE confidence."
White House spokesperson Danielle Alvarez said the anonymous sources "know nothing."
Wiles has been one of his most trusted advisers and has shaped much of his second administration — the longest-serving chief of staff across both of Trump's terms, a record of steadiness in a White House famous for turnover.
The sourcing is worth weighing for what it is: four people with direct knowledge, all anonymous, describing private conversations. Against that, a named statement from the president himself and a named denial from his spokeswoman. Washington runs on this asymmetry — whispers on one side, signatures on the other — and readers are entitled to weigh them accordingly.
Wiles's longevity is the context the report cannot explain away. Across two administrations famous for turnover, she has been the constant — the adviser who shaped much of the second term and outlasted every rival. Presidents do not publicly hand "COMPLETE confidence" to chiefs of staff they are about to dismiss.
What happens next is simple: either the whispers were wrong, or the statement was. One of them will be proven by events. Until then, the chief of staff remains the chief of staff — and the intrigue remains exactly what Trump called it.
Anonymous sources versus the president's own words — that is the whole story, and readers can decide which carries more weight. Trump's answer was not hedged, not qualified, and not the kind of thing a president says about someone he is about to fire. Complete confidence, in capital letters, from the man himself. The palace intrigue, such as it is, will have to survive that.
Friday, November 6, 2026
Trump announced on Truth Social on Friday that Stephen Miller will become White House chief of staff starting Monday, November 9, 2026, replacing Susie Wiles. Wiles will move to the Trump Political Operation. Wiles said on X that Friday was her last day as chief of staff; she submitted her resignation on Thursday night. It is the first major staffing change since Democrats swept the midterms on November 3.
Friday, November 6, 2026
Incoming House Speaker Hakeem Jeffries demanded on Friday that Trump fire Miller, writing on X: "Stephen Miller is a dangerous xenophobe and reckless extremist who has American blood on his hands. His presence in government should be eradicated like a malignant tumor. Fire him today." Incoming Senate leader Chuck Schumer said: "Our Democratic majorities will fight him every step of the way." Rep. Robert Garcia said he would keep investigating Miller.
Friday, November 6, 2026
Incoming House Oversight Chair Rep. Robert Garcia said Miller "should lawyer up" and that Oversight Democrats will investigate Miller for his conduct, calling him "the architect of the unconstitutional ICE raids." Attorney General Todd Blanche answered in a Fox News interview on Friday: "Stephen Miller has a lawyer. It's me. … It's me and the entire Department of Justice." In the same interview, Blanche warned Democrats their midterm victory could backfire if they focus on impeaching Trump administration officials and pursuing investigations instead of addressing issues affecting Americans, calling the impeachment push "disappointing and sad" and urging Democrats to focus on governing and legislating. Democrats get subpoena power only when the new Congress convenes in January; no subpoena exists yet.
Saturday, November 7, 2026
Miller pledged "absolute loyalty," "unwavering commitment" and "total devotion" to Trump at a Mar-a-Lago event as he prepared to take over as chief of staff on Monday.
Monday, November 9, 2026
On Miller's first day as chief of staff on Monday, Trump reaffirmed him, praising him as his most trusted adviser, a "fighter" and "loyal" — "Stephen's been with me from the beginning. He gets it" — and signalled no softening on immigration. The praise came days after Trump's 60 Minutes comment that deportations had been "too tough" and the backlash over amnesty remarks.
Monday, November 9, 2026
As Miller started the job on Monday, his wife Katie Miller has left SpaceX and ended her Paramount podcast deal, and has reportedly also sold her shares, clearing the way for Miller to take part in White House discussions on AI, space and Paramount without the conflict-of-interest restrictions that had forced his recusals. For months Miller had recused himself from Paramount, space and AI matters at the White House counsel's direction because Katie worked for SpaceX and sought a Paramount podcast deal. Katie Miller wrote on X on November 8: "With @StephenM taking on this new role for President Trump, I've decided to stop recording new podcast episodes," citing their four children; two taped episodes will still air.