Karoline Leavitt’s Damage Control on Trump’s Chief of Staff’s Bombshell Interview Falls Flat — So She Attacks Vanity Fair Instead

A Vanity Fair profile of White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, published early Tuesday, has stirred controversy with its candid portrayal of President Donald Trump’s leadership style and Vice President JD Vance’s evolution, prompting a swift and pointed denial from Wiles herself and a defensive response from Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

The article, which quickly went viral, highlighted potentially unflattering insights from Wiles, leading to accusations of misrepresentation and fueling broader discussions about transparency and media practices in the Trump administration.

In the interview, Wiles described Trump as having “an alcoholic’s personality” and operating with “a view that there’s nothing he can’t do,” comments that critics seized upon as revealing of the president’s impulsive approach. She also characterized Vance as a “conspiracy theorist” whose early support for Trump was driven more by political calculation than conviction, adding layers to the vice president’s public image.

Wiles responded promptly on social media, labeling the piece a “disingenuously framed hit piece on me and the finest President, White House staff, and Cabinet in history.” She argued that “significant context was disregarded and much of what I, and others, said about the team and the President was left out of the story,” suggesting the omissions were intentional to craft a “chaotic and negative narrative.”

The chief of staff’s direct engagement showed the article’s impact, as profiles of high-level officials often draw measured responses rather than immediate public rebuttals.

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Leavitt’s On-Air Defense and Critique of Vanity Fair

Appearing on Fox News later that day, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed Wiles’ sentiments, offering unwavering support: “I would just echo my boss Susie Wiles, who is the best chief of staff in our nation’s history, working for the greatest person in our nation’s history.”

Leavitt went further, accusing the outlet of journalistic malpractice: “This was unfortunately another attempt at fake news by a reporter who was acting disingenuously and really did take the chief’s words out of context.” She emphasized “bias of omission,” claiming the story ignored “all of the positive things that Susie and our team said about the president and the inner workings of the White House.”

Wrapping up, Leavitt framed the episode as a minor setback: “As Susie noted earlier, the incident was regrettable but wouldn’t derail their efforts to ‘make America great again.'” She highlighted Trump’s accomplishments, stating he “has achieved more in under a year than most presidents do in two terms,” attributing success to his drive and Wiles’ guidance. On a personal level, Leavitt called Wiles “a mentor, a colleague, and a friend.”

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Vance’s Humorous Pushback

Vice President JD Vance, while campaigning in Pennsylvania, addressed the “conspiracy theorist” label with levity when questioned by reporters.

“Sometimes I am a conspiracy theorist, but I only believe in the conspiracy theories that are true,” Vance said. He cited examples like his opposition to masking young children during COVID-19 and skepticism about government narratives on President Biden’s fitness, positioning his views as vindicated foresight rather than fringe thinking. “Susie and I have joked in private and in public about that for a long time,” he added, downplaying any tension.

The Vanity Fair article, based on an extensive interview with Wiles—a key architect of Trump’s 2024 victory—offered rare insights into the administration’s operations. Her comments on Trump’s personality could be interpreted as complimentary to his determination or critical of potential recklessness, depending on perspective.

Similarly, the Vance characterization touched on his well-documented shift from Trump critic to ally, a transformation often scrutinized in political circles.

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The backlash raises questions about media ethics: Did the outlet selectively edit for sensationalism, as alleged, or did the quotes accurately reflect Wiles’ views? Vanity Fair has not yet issued a formal response to the criticisms.

For the administration, the episode tests its narrative of unity and efficiency in the second term. Wiles has been credited with bringing structure to a White House that faced chaos allegations in Trump’s first stint, making any perceived discord noteworthy.

The coordinated denials from Wiles, Leavitt, and Vance demonstrate a tightened media strategy, but they also spotlight the ongoing tension between the press and the presidency.