Susie Wiles, outgoing Chief of Staff to Donald Trump, is facing allegations of corruption from a former advisor to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Calley Means, who recently departed the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), stated that Wiles allegedly accepted money from corporations and foreign interests, which he claims was used to sabotage RFK's "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) agenda. Trump announced on Friday that Wiles would leave her position on Monday and move to a role within Trump's political operation, with Stephen Miller set to replace her as Chief of Staff.
Means detailed his accusations in an interview with Joe Rogan, alleging that companies hiring Katie Wiles, Susie Wiles' daughter, for lobbying work received preferential treatment and funding from the administration. "If you're a special interest and you want to get something done, the secret's out. You pay Susie's daughter, and it was openly discussed when they had a client," Means said. He also blamed Wiles for hindering MAHA reforms, citing pressure from corporations and the need for fundraising, quoting her as saying, "We need money for the midterms, Calley. We need money for the midterms" and "I need the money from the sugar people to win the midterms."
According to Means, Wiles led a White House culture that disregarded the voters who supported Donald Trump's election. He suggested that a "very concentrated group of people in the Trump administration" were acting for reasons other than the public's mandate, sometimes to enrich their families. Means also claimed that Wiles was lenient toward the e-cigarette and kratom industries due to lobbyist influence, stating there was "huge pushing" from the West Wing to relax standards.
Trump confirmed the staff change, stating he "wanted to make a change" and that Wiles had done a "great job," but "we gotta make moves." This account contrasts with a senior White House official who told the Daily Mail that Wiles "gave her resignation last night," suggesting the departure was her decision.
Stephen Miller expressed his honor in serving as Chief of Staff, thanking Wiles for her service and friendship. Wiles herself posted on X, calling her service as Chief of Staff "the honor of a lifetime" and expressing pride in the administration's accomplishments, including border security, tax cuts, economic strengthening, and "America First."
The Daily Mail had previously reported in June that Wiles was preparing to step down after the midterm elections, a report that was denied by the White House at the time. Wiles has been a long-time associate of Trump, involved with his orbit since his 2016 campaign, and is noted as the longest-serving White House chief of staff for a Republican administration.