Trump calls report on replacing Susie Wiles ‘total fake news’

President Donald Trump dismissed a Politico report on Thursday that alleged he was considering replacing White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, branding the story “TOTAL FAKE NEWS” in a statement from Washington, D.C.

The denial comes as the administration faces mounting scrutiny ahead of the November midterm elections and highlights the president’s continued reliance on Wiles, who has served as his chief of staff for the first 20 months of his second term.

Trump’s statement, released to the outlet, accused Politico of lacking facts, integrity and honest journalism, adding “that’s why I kicked them out of the White House.” He reaffirmed his confidence in Wiles, calling her “my loyal and longest‑serving Chief of Staff…my trusted advisor” with “complete confidence.”

Politico’s Playbook had cited anonymous sources saying the president was asking allies about potential successors, naming Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, Yankees president Randy Levine, former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Federal Housing Finance Agency director Bill Pulte and former Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff as possible replacements. The report also suggested that rivals were feeding Trump negative coverage of Wiles and her inner circle.

White House spokesperson Danielle Alvarez echoed the president’s dismissal, stating the unnamed sources “know nothing” and describing the team as “united, focused on his America First agenda – not the egos and political games of anonymous outsiders.” No further comment was expected, and the administration said it would continue its policy agenda without changes to the chief‑of‑staff role.

Wiles, who co‑managed Trump’s 2024 campaign, became the first woman to serve as a White House chief of staff and was ranked 66th on Forbes’ “Most Powerful Women” list. She announced a breast cancer diagnosis in March, but reported in September that she was cancer‑free after treatment at the Mayo Clinic.

The speculation about her departure arrives as political operatives weigh staff moves ahead of the midterms, but Trump’s outright rejection underscores the president’s pattern of confronting media narratives he deems false. Observers note that while the president has a history of reshuffling senior aides, he has not indicated any immediate change to the chief‑of‑staff position.