US President Donald Trump publicly came to the defence of White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles on Tuesday after a Vanity Fair report quoted her as describing him as having an “alcoholic’s personality.” Trump dismissed the controversy, saying the characterization was one he himself has used repeatedly over the years and insisting that it had been taken out of context.
Trump, who has long stated that he does not drink alcohol, reiterated his belief that abstaining was a conscious decision based on self-awareness. Speaking to The New York Post, he said that he has often remarked that if he did consume alcohol, he might be prone to alcoholism. According to Trump, this self-assessment aligns with the personality traits referenced in the article and was never intended as an insult.
“I’ve said that many times about myself,” Trump told the newspaper. “I’m fortunate I’m not a drinker. If I did, I could very well be.” He framed the comment as a reflection on discipline and temperament rather than a negative judgment.
The President strongly criticized the Vanity Fair article, calling it misleading and accusing the reporter of misrepresenting the nature of the interview with Wiles. Trump suggested that the journalist had deliberately steered the conversation deceptively in order to generate controversy.
“From what I hear, the facts were wrong, and it was a very misguided interviewer, purposely misguided,” Trump said, echoing claims that the magazine distorted Wiles’ remarks. He added that he had not read the full article and brushed off the publication altogether, saying, “I don’t read Vanity Fair,” before praising Wiles’ performance in her role.
Trump also made it clear that his confidence in Wiles remains absolute. When asked directly whether he still trusted her, he responded emphatically, calling her “fantastic” and crediting her with doing an exceptional job as his chief of staff.
In the Vanity Fair profile, Wiles had reportedly drawn a comparison between Trump’s personality and traits she associated with her upbringing under an alcoholic father. She described Trump as someone who believes there are no limits to what he can do, clarifying that the comparison was behavioural rather than related to substance use, since Trump does not drink.
The article also referenced comments attributed to Wiles about Vice President JD Vance, suggesting she had described him as a long-time conspiracy theorist. Vance addressed the claim directly, leaning into the label rather than distancing himself from it.
Speaking to reporters in Pennsylvania, Vance said Wiles did not mean the comment as a criticism and praised her as a loyal and highly capable chief of staff. He added humorously that he only believes in conspiracy theories he considers true, turning the accusation into a point of defiance rather than controversy.
The White House quickly closed ranks around Wiles as scrutiny intensified following the article’s publication. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt issued a statement emphasizing the President’s complete trust in his chief of staff, calling Wiles his most loyal advisor and praising her steady leadership.
Attorney General Pam Bondi also voiced her support, describing Wiles as a close friend who works tirelessly to advance Trump’s agenda with loyalty, professionalism and effectiveness. Bondi said Wiles’ impact on the administration has been historic and transformative.
Wiles herself rejected the Vanity Fair profile, calling it a disingenuously framed hit piece that selectively removed context to cast the administration in a negative light. A veteran political strategist from Florida, Wiles previously managed Trump’s 2024 campaign and is widely credited with bringing structure, discipline and operational clarity to his second-term White House.
