Trump publicly lauds Wiles at White House event
Praises her recovery from breast cancer, stresses resilience
Power struggle rumors swirl over White House personnel
Replacement after midterms remains a possibility
President Donald Trump publicly praised White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles amid swirling rumors about her potential replacement. The move was widely interpreted as an effort to quash the speculation and reaffirm his confidence in one of his closest aides as personnel disputes within the White House have come to the fore.
At a women's health event hosted by first lady Melania Trump at the White House on Monday (local time), Trump called Wiles "fantastic" and described her as "a strong person and an incredible fighter."
Trump also mentioned that Wiles had recently overcome breast cancer, doubled down on her resilience and praised her for enduring a difficult course of treatment. The public tribute came as October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the event itself was dedicated to promoting women's health.
Trump named Wiles and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as co-chairs of a newly launched women's health TF. After signing the related executive order, Trump handed Wiles a commemorative pen.
Observers said the gesture was not unrelated to the recent replacement rumors. Trump had also dismissed talk of replacing Wiles as "fake news" on Friday, saying, "Susie is here and will be here for a very long time."
Behind the scenes, however, tensions over personnel decisions have continued to simmer. The recent appointment of a new White House spokesperson without sufficient consultation with Wiles brought an internal power struggle into the open. The conflict deepened when reports emerged that Wiles had been involved in the abrupt dismissal of that spokesperson just four days into the job.
There is also speculation that Wiles could be replaced after the US midterm elections on Nov. 3. Some observers say Trump has already begun looking for a successor.
Wiles was a key architect of Trump's victory in the 2024 presidential election and has served as the inaugural chief of staff of the Trump administration since it took office last year. Given the deep trust Trump has placed in her, observers suggest that even if she were replaced, she would be treated with considerable respect.
Even as Trump has repeatedly and publicly expressed his confidence in Wiles, the possibility of a White House staff reshuffle after the midterms has not been ruled out.
sjy@heraldcorp.com
