Former Trump aide warns potential Susie Wiles replacement is ‘a terrifying prospect’
Names reportedly under consideration
Politico reported Thursday that Trump had been calling people to gauge views on possible replacements for Wiles. The names mentioned included Stephen Miller, Bill Pulte, Lee Zeldin, Kevin McCarthy and Randy Levine.
Miller is Trump’s deputy chief of staff and an anti-immigration hardliner. Pulte leads the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Zeldin heads the Environmental Protection Agency, McCarthy is a former House speaker, and Levine is a New York Yankees executive.
Matthews voices concern
Speaking Sunday with MediasTouch journalist Jack Cocchiarella, Matthews said Trump appeared unhappy with the administration and its headlines, and seemed to blame Wiles. She said he had been calling around to ask people about names he was floating.
Matthews said the prospect of Miller taking charge was frightening, describing a possible final stretch of Trump’s presidency in which he might feel able to act without restraint. She also noted that Miller had sometimes attended briefing preparations with Kayleigh McEnany during Matthews’ time in the administration.
Conflicting signals on Wiles
The report said Trump had hired Zacharia as White House press secretary over Wiles’ objections, weakening her authority. Wiles had reportedly sought to bring in CNN pundit Scott Jennings as Karoline Leavitt’s successor, but Zacharia was removed after five days in the job.
Key points
- Sarah Matthews called the possibility of Stephen Miller replacing Susie Wiles “a terrifying prospect.”
- Politico reported that Trump had sounded out potential replacements, including Miller and four other figures.
- Trump told Politico that Wiles had his “COMPLETE confidence,” despite reports of calls about successors.
- Zacharia was removed as White House press secretary after five days in the job.