Trump rules out replacing Susie Wiles as White House chief of staff

President Trump said he would keep Susie Wiles as White House chief of staff, declaring there was “zero chance” he would fire her and that she would remain in the job for a long time. The New York Post reported that Trump made the remarks on Friday as he sought to quell speculation about a possible change in the role.

The speculation had lasted two days, according to the New York Post. The outlet traced the immediate attention to Politico’s Playbook newsletter, which reported on Thursday that Trump was asking allies for their opinions about who could be a suitable replacement for Wiles. The Playbook report prompted rumors and campaigning around Wiles’s position, the New York Post said.

The outlet described the chief of staff as appearing to be in a vulnerable position amid that discussion. Trump’s public statement directly rejected the possibility of firing her, while offering no further details about any discussions with allies. The New York Post also reported that Zacharia had been dismissed after fewer than five days in the job.

It said the departure followed a press briefing on Tuesday that it characterized as unsteady, as well as a series of Fox News appearances it described as unflattering. The article said Wiles bore no responsibility for the hiring, which it described as hasty.

The outlet placed the speculation about Wiles within a wider account of intrigue involving her and other senior Trump allies. It reported that insiders expect Trump may want to assign blame if Republicans perform poorly in the Nov. 3 midterm elections.

That expectation is the New York Post’s account of what insiders anticipate; Trump’s statement about Wiles did not address the election or identify anyone he might hold responsible. The New York Post also noted Wiles’s campaign and White House experience.

It said LaCivita ran Trump’s 2024 comeback campaign alongside Wiles, and that Blair served as her deputy in the West Wing until April.

The article said Blair described himself as her “junkyard dog.” Trump’s remarks leave Wiles publicly confirmed in the chief of staff role, while the outlet’s account records the recent speculation and the political personnel discussion surrounding her.