White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, whom President Donald Trump said still has his "COMPLETE confidence," could soon be removed from her position, according to Politico.
Rumors about Wiles' future intensified this week after Trump reportedly discussed her role and potential successors with advisers, Politico said. Although the president has publicly denied plans to replace Wiles, speculation has persisted as betting markets increasingly price in her departure before year's end.
The rumors come less than three weeks before the November 3 midterm elections in which Republicans are fighting to maintain control of Congress amid a series of competitive races shaped by Trump's declining approval ratings, persistent inflation, high gas prices and concerns over U.S. involvement in the Iran war.
The unsettled political climate could lead to a shake-up of Trump's staff, including Wiles. Despite the reports, Trump has denied that he is planning to fire Wiles.
“TOTAL FAKE NEWS Politico doesn’t care about facts, integrity, or honest journalism—it’s why I kicked them out of the White House!” Trump said, according to Politico. “Susie Wiles is my loyal and longest serving Chief of Staff—there is a reason for that. She has been with me since the beginning, is my trusted advisor, and has my COMPLETE confidence."
Newsweek reached out to the White House by email for comment on Thursday.
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Who Is Susie Wiles?
Wiles is Trump's White House chief of staff, a position to which she was appointed after Trump won the 2024 election. She is the first woman in U.S. history to hold the role.
Wiles has led a lengthy career in Republican politics that has often put her in Trump's orbit. She was a senior campaign adviser in his 2024 presidential run and is considered to have played a key role in helping him secure his second term in the White House.
She also served as his Florida campaign chair in 2016 and was an adviser to the Republican National Convention during Trump's 2020 campaign.
Susie Wiles' Relationship With Trump
Wiles and Trump have worked together for years. During his second term, which began in January 2025, Trump has spoken positively about Wiles. In March, he called her "an incredible Chief of Staff," and referred to her as the "most powerful person in the world" during an AI summit at the White House in July.
However, Trump has allegedly been seeking advice about whether to keep Wiles in the position and has mused about replacements should she be removed, Politico reported, citing four people familiar with the matter.
Who Could Replace Wiles?
According to Politico, several names have surfaced in regard to Wiles' potential replacement: Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief of staff; Randy Levine, the president of the New York Yankees; Steve Witkoff, special envoy for peace missions; Bill Pulte, Federal Housing Finance Agency director; and Kevin McCarthy, former House speaker.
Stephen Miller
Miller is the deputy chief of staff for policy and Homeland Security adviser. He is an active driver of Trump's immigration policies, such as strengthening U.S. borders and expanding deportations.
He has worked alongside Trump for years. Miller was involved in Trump's 2016 campaign and worked as a senior adviser and speechwriter during Trump's first term.
Randy Levine
Levine is the only floated name for Wiles' replacement without a tie to the U.S. government. He is the president of the New York Yankees and has long been connected to Trump's business and political circles.
Steve Witkoff
Witkoff serves as assistant to the president and special envoy for peace missions. He also acts as envoy to the Middle East and helped negotiate a peace deal between Hamas and Iran in October 2025. He has also negotiated with Iran over its nuclear program. During his time at the White House, Witkoff helped negotiate an exchange with Russia to bring Marc Fogel, an American detained by Russia, back to the U.S.
He has been friends with Trump since the early 1990s. Outside of his role at the White House, Witkoff is a New York real estate developer and managing member of the Witkoff Group, a real estate development firm that he founded in the mid-90s.
Bill Pulte
Pulte was sworn in as director of U.S. federal housing in March 2025 after being nominated by Trump. Pulte's role oversees Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Home Loan Banks. Outside of his White House role, Pulte has had a long-term career in homebuilding and housing, as well as community development. He founded the investment firm Pulte Capital Partners in 2011.
Earlier this year, he briefly served as acting director of national intelligence after Tulsi Gabbard stepped away from the role to care for her husband, Abraham Williams, who was diagnosed with cancer.
Kevin McCarthy
McCarthy served as House speaker from January 7, 2023, to October 3, 2023. He held his congressional seat for much longer, serving California from 2007 to 2023. He was ousted as speaker in 2023 and then resigned his congressional seat. His vacant House seat was filled by Vince Fong, and Republican Representative Mike Johnson took on the House speaker role.
Although he no longer serves in Congress, McCarthy remains influential within Republican politics. In 2025, he launched Watchtower Strategy, a public affairs firm.
What Happens Next
Trump has denied that he is planning to fire Wiles, but her future in the Trump administration is likely to remain under scrutiny in the days leading up to the midterm elections on November 3.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Samantha Beech and Dave Siminoff.