‘Backbiting,’ ‘drama’ won’t be tolerated in Trump White House: Wiles

Susie Wiles, President-elect Trump’s incoming White House chief of staff, said there won’t be any “backbiting” or “drama” tolerated in the next administration.

“I don’t welcome people who want to work solo or be a star,” Wiles, who was Trump’s campaign co-chair and is a veteran political consultant, said in an interview with Axios. “My team and I will not tolerate backbiting, second-guessing inappropriately, or drama.

“These are counterproductive to the mission."

Wiles will become the first female chief of staff after Trump’s inauguration Jan. 20.

Her appointment is one of the most important for the new administration. As chief of staff, Wiles will serve as the closest aide to Trump. She will control information and access to the Oval Office, setting the president’s agenda and managing White House staff.

While Wiles typically stays behind the scenes, she is credited with much of Trump’s 2024 election success.

Those who know her and her long political background say there’s reason to believe she will succeed in Trump’s top leadership position where others have faltered. Wiles will be Trump’s fifth chief of staff.

She’s respected by Trump’s orbit and has a successful political track record. Wiles has a close relationship with Trump and knows where he plans to take the country in ways others have not.

Wiles told Axios she tries not to manage Trump and dislikes when people speculate she does. She pointed out she managed Trump’s campaign, not the candidate.

As for how Wiles and Trump will begin their term together, she said she’s looking past the first 100 days of the new administration, calling it an “artificial metric.” She instead said the most critical period will be from Inauguration Day to the 2026 midterm elections, a two-year span during which Republicans know they will lead both chambers of Congress.

She plans to get “off to a quick start” and hopes to stay on that pace “with an expectation of excellence every day.” The West Wing will be staffed with a mix of new hires and veterans prepared to work “punishing hours,” she said.

“To my core, I believe in teamwork,” Wiles told Axios. “Anyone who cannot be counted on to be collaborative and focused on our shared goals isn’t working in the West Wing.”

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