The Trump White House Descends Into Infighting – President Donald Trump’s White House is said to be descending into internal conflict as the Republican Party prepares for potentially devastating losses in the upcoming midterm elections, and with various members of the president’s staff embroiled in their own scandals. Trump’s approval ratings continue to slide, and the Republicans are well aware that there is a high chance they will lose control of Congress — and as the problems continue to unfold, senior administration officials are reportedly competing for influence inside the White House and preparing for the possibility of major personnel changes after the election.
A new Washington Post investigation, published Friday, October 16, suggests tensions are growing, with senior officials reportedly positioning themselves to replace the once-untouchable White House Chief of Staff, Susie Wiles.
President Donald Trump signs executive orders flanked by Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Director of the National Institutes of Health Jay Bhattacharya, Monday, May 5, 2025, in the Oval Office. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)
President Donald Trump signs executive orders flanked by Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Director of the National Institutes of Health Jay Bhattacharya, Monday, May 5, 2025, in the Oval Office. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)
The report, based on interviews with 20 people who work in or for the White House, describes an administration that is beginning to resemble the president’s chaotic first term, when competing factions routinely fought for influence.
Signs also suggest President Trump is growing frustrated with his advisers as the election nears.
Senior Officials Want to Replace Wiles
According to The Post, several prominent administration officials are already trying to position themselves as successors to Wiles, should she leave the administration or be forced out after November. Among those who are said to be interested are Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte, and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin.
But no public indication suggests Wiles intends to resign; only reports that her daughter’s work with overseas entities could be considered a conflict of interest.
A separate report from Semafor published on October 16 challenged suggestions that Wiles could be removed, citing almost a dozen people close to the president who dismissed speculation about her future.
“Beyond President Donald Trump’s public dismissal of the idea, administration officials and advisers are universally skeptical that he’d consider pushing out White House chief of staff Susie Wiles,” the report reads.
“I think it’s absurd,” one administration official told the outlet about the idea, while another dismissed the rumors as ‘BS’.
Wiles almost certainly isn’t preparing to leave, but forces beyond her control won’t stop trying to make it happen.
Trump Reportedly Frustrated With Advisers
Reports also indicate that the president is growing frustrated and dissatisfied with some high-profile members of his administration — particularly those responsible for managing his political operations.
The Washington Post claims that President Trump has been personally contacting friends and outside advisers to ask their opinions about his team. He has also reportedly asked White House officials why important information may not be reaching him. According to reports, Trump has expressed frustration with political strategists James Blair and Chris LaCivita, who coordinate much of the Republican Party’s midterm-election strategy.
The tensions also follow a previous controversy that involved the two advisers. On October 7, Reuters reported that Trump had threatened to dismiss the pair if their outside consulting work for the Russia-aligned government of Republika Srpska, an entity within Bosnia and Herzegovina, became a conflict of interest. The president then indicated that he did not believe there was a conflict.
Nonetheless, the controversy damaged both advisers’ standing within the administration and created new pain points for Susie Wiles, who has longstanding political relationships with both of the men.
On October 8, Semafor also reported that Continental Strategy, a lobbying firm connected to Wiles’ daughter, Katie Wiles, had helped arrange a controversial trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina for Blair and LaCivita. The two men traveled to Republika Srpska to advise on voting equipment ahead of the October 4 local elections.
Midterm Defeats Could Make Things Worse
The administration’s big test now will be the upcoming midterm elections, when voters will decide whether to let Republicans keep control of Congress.
The Washington Post reports that many White House advisers now privately expect the party to lose its House majority, but remain uncertain whether it can keep control of the Senate. The report also suggests that internal Republican polling has raised serious concerns about voters’ overall dissatisfaction with the Trump administration’s handling of the economy.
A major defeat in November could intensify competition within the White House to replace Susie Wiles, and if Trump ultimately decides to change the role, several people are already contending for the position.
But the president has other problems. Losing control of Congress would mean facing congressional investigations and significantly increased opposition to his legislative agenda in the final two years of his final term in office.
About the Author: Jack Buckby
Jack Buckby is a British researcher and analyst specializing in defense and national security, based in New York. His work focuses on military capability, procurement, and strategic competition, and he produces and edits analysis for policy and defense audiences. He brings extensive editorial experience, with a career output spanning over 1,000 articles at National Security Journal, and has previously authored books and papers on extremism and deradicalization.
