October 16, 2026 · Personnel, Competence & Administrative Failure
· Personnel action
Developing
Trump Aides Erupt in Open Power Struggle to Replace Chief of Staff Wiles
A Washington Post report republished October 16, 2026, and corroborated by the Daily Beast, says Trump aides have begun openly jockeying over who would replace Chief of Staff Susie Wiles amid expected midterm losses. Based on about 20 interviews, it reports Stephen Miller, Bill Pulte and Lee Zeldin are each seen angling for the job, with former aide Corey Lewandowski reportedly backing Pulte.
The infighting reportedly followed Trump's move to hire, then fire, press secretary Katie Zacharia without consulting Wiles, plus anger at advisers Blair and LaCivita over paid foreign consulting work. Aides reportedly believe Wiles may step down after the election, though she has given no public indication of leaving.
No personnel change has been confirmed; Wiles remained chief of staff as of this writing.
The infighting reportedly followed Trump's move to hire, then fire, press secretary Katie Zacharia without consulting Wiles, plus anger at advisers Blair and LaCivita over paid foreign consulting work. Aides reportedly believe Wiles may step down after the election, though she has given no public indication of leaving.
No personnel change has been confirmed; Wiles remained chief of staff as of this writing.
Sources
- Power Struggle Erupts in Trump's 'Wild, Wild West' Wing — The Daily Beast, 2026-10-16
- Trump White House power struggle as midterm losses loom — The Philadelphia Inquirer (reprinting The Washington Post), 2026-10-16 Supporting