Wiles replacement floated

News · Heat 1.0 / 10 · 2 shows · 6m airtime

Politico reported on October 16, 2026 that Trump has been asking friends what they think of White House chief of staff Susie Wiles and floating possible replacements, including Stephen Miller, Steve Witkoff, Bill Pulte, Kevin McCarthy and New York Yankees president Randy Levine. Trump called the reporting fake news. The discussion has since moved to McCarthy, who is lobbying for the job again, and to who Trump would actually pick and why.

How 2 podcasts covered it

1. Pod Save America, 2026-10-16 (25:04 to 30:06)
   Weighs the floated Wiles replacements
   Takes the Politico report and runs through the floated names, weighing which pick fits Trump's mood: a hangout buddy like Witkoff, a revenge vehicle like Pulte, or a punching bag like McCarthy.
   New angle: Politico reported Trump is asking friends about replacing Susie Wiles and floated Miller, Witkoff, Pulte, McCarthy and Randy Levine.
2. The Bulwark Daily, 2026-10-16 (27:38 to 28:51)
   Adds the fall-guy motive and McCarthy's lobbying
   Picks up the Politico story on Wiles and adds a motive: someone has to be the fall person if the midterms go poorly. Notes McCarthy is lobbying for the chief of staff job again.
   New angle: Kevin McCarthy is lobbying for the chief of staff job again.