Skip to content

PoliticsDeveloping

Trump denies reports he is seeking to replace chief of staff Susie Wiles

By

Coverage spectrum

Covered by 12 outlets across the spectrum.

21 articles in total, 3 of them opinion. The spectrum counts each outlet once and leaves opinion out. How we measure bias

Politico’s Playbook newsletter reported that President Donald Trump had asked allies for their views on possible successors to chief of staff Susie Wiles, and that some allies gave negative feedback about her. Trump publicly denied the report, calling it “TOTAL FAKE NEWS.” On Friday he said there was “zero chance” he would replace Wiles and that she would “be here for a long time.” The Daily Mail, citing seven insiders, reported that rival factions in Trump’s orbit were drafting replacement lists. A White House official told Semafor the talk was “absurd.”

Headline and summary written by Mantle’s AI from the coverage below, under published rules. How this works

What happened

Key points

Each point shows who reports it, from Far Left to Far Right.

  1. Politico reported, citing its Playbook newsletter, that Trump had asked allies for their views on replacing chief of staff Susie Wiles.

    Reported byFar Left2Left1Center1Far Right3See the outletsHide the outlets
    Far Left
    The Daily Beast, The New Republic
    Left
    The Independent
    Center
    The Hill
    Far Right
    Breitbart News, The Epoch Times, One America News

  2. Trump denied the report and called it “TOTAL FAKE NEWS.”

    Reported byCenter1Far Right2See the outletsHide the outlets
    Center
    The Hill
    Far Right
    Breitbart News, The Epoch Times

  3. Trump said there was “zero chance” he would replace Wiles.

    Reported byLeft1Right1Far Right1See the outletsHide the outlets
    Left
    Bloomberg
    Right
    New York Post
    Far Right
    One America News

  4. Trump said Wiles “is going to be here for a long time.”

    One outletNew York Post· Right

  5. The Daily Mail reported, citing seven insiders, that three rival factions were scrambling to install a successor and had drafted five names.

    One outletDaily Mail· Right

  6. A White House official told Semafor that the talk of Wiles’s firing was “absurd.”

    One outletSemafor· Center

What is contested

Where accounts differ

Points the coverage does not agree on, and who says what.

  • Trump is looking to replace chief of staff Susie Wiles.

    Politico, The Daily Beast, The New Republic, The Independent and the Daily Mail report that Trump has sounded out allies about successors. Trump, the White House and an administration official say the reports are false, and Trump has said there is “zero chance” Wiles will be replaced.

How each side tells it

Compare views

Every side reports that Politico said Trump sought allies’ views on replacing chief of staff Susie Wiles, and that Trump has denied it. Left headlines stress a secret plot and a possible firing, center headlines the denial and advisers’ rejection, and right headlines Trump’s rebuttal and infighting.

  • the left

    4 outlets

    Left headlines present the story as a secret plot or a likely firing, with Wiles’s fall as the lead, and treat Trump’s rebuttal as secondary or absent.

    Trump Loaded verb“Secretly Plots”The headline asserts a secret scheme as fact, while the description reports only that Trump has been calling allies to ask their views.More neutral: ConsidersDisagree with this highlight? Sensational language“Shock Firing”The phrase adds drama to a possible personnel change that the description says has not been carried out.More neutral: Possible replacementDisagree with this highlight? of His Most Powerful Aide
    The Daily BeastFar LeftAll left-leaning headlines

  • the center

    2 outlets

    Center headlines lead with Trump’s dismissal of the report or with advisers rejecting the firing talk, and attribute the original reporting to Politico.

    Trump throws cold water on report Wiles is on thin ice
    The HillCenterAll center headlines

  • the right

    6 outlets · 1 opinion

    Right headlines lead with Trump’s rebuttal and his confidence in Wiles; far-right outlets frame it as Trump shooting down a report, while mainstream right outlets emphasize infighting and a secret list.

    Trump rebuts Politico report that he would fire Susie Wiles: She ‘has my COMPLETE confidence’
    One America NewsFar RightAll right-leaning headlines

The words they chose

Language to notice

Words that carry a judgement beyond the facts. Tap a highlighted word anywhere on the page to see why.

  • Left20

    bombshellbombshell revelationso ruthlessbloodbath

  • Center1

    universally skeptical

  • Right6

    troubling reportblastedderidedwarring factions

In the outlets’ own words

  • Sensational language

    bombshellMore neutral: report

    Labels the report with a dramatic adjective rather than describing its content.

    …favorite aide sent him into a total meltdown by handing him a printed copy of a bombshell report about how he’s thinking of firing his chief of staff.

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)The Independent (Left)

  • Sensational language

    bombshell revelationMore neutral: report

    Calling the report a bombshell asserts its importance before the reader has weighed the sourcing.

    The bombshell revelation that the 80-year-old president has cooled on a 69-year-old aide so ruthless he…

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Loaded modifier

    so ruthlessMore neutral: a tough-minded aide

    Describing Wiles as ruthless is a judgement about her character that the description does not support with evidence.

    …revelation that the 80-year-old president has cooled on a 69-year-old aide so ruthless he calls her his “Ice Maiden” comes ahead of the Nov.

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Sensational language

    bloodbathMore neutral: heavy losses

    The word is dramatic and presents a forecast as a settled outcome.

    3 midterm elections, with polls forecasting a bloodbath for Republicans amid Trump’s tanking approval among voters.

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

Show 23 more phrasesShow fewer

  • Loaded verb

    Secretly PlotsMore neutral: Considers

    The headline asserts a secret scheme as fact, while the description reports only that Trump has been calling allies to ask their views.

    Trump Secretly Plots Shock Firing of His Most Powerful Aide

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Sensational language

    Shock FiringMore neutral: Possible replacement

    The phrase adds drama to a possible personnel change that the description says has not been carried out.

    Trump Secretly Plots Shock Firing of His Most Powerful Aide

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Loaded modifier

    troubling reportMore neutral: report

    Calling the report troubling passes judgement on it before its claims are confirmed.

    Politico published a troubling report Thursday claiming that President Donald Trump has been quietly shopping around…

    Used byPJ Media (Far Right)

  • Loaded verb

    blastedMore neutral: criticized

    The verb adds a harsh judgement of how Trump criticized the outlet, beyond reporting what he said.

    …in a statement to the publication, Trump stressed Wiles has his full confidence and blasted the outlet: “TOTAL FAKE NEWS Politico doesn’t care about facts, integrity, or honest…

    Used byBreitbart News (Far Right)

  • Sensational language

    Sinister PlotMore neutral: Trump’s Talks About Wiles’s Future

    Presents a reported chatter as a plot with a motive that the report does not establish.

    This Is Trump’s Sinister Plot Against His Own Aide: Author

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Absolutist framing

    universally skepticalMore neutral: largely skeptical

    Says all officials and advisers share one view, while the same passage cites only nearly a dozen people.

    …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.

    Used bySemafor (Center)

  • Sensational language

    total meltdownMore neutral: strong reaction

    Describes Trump’s reaction in dramatic terms that the excerpt does not attribute to any source.

    Donald Trump’s favorite aide sent him into a total meltdown by handing him a printed copy of a bombshell report about how he’s thinking of…

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Loaded verb

    KnifesMore neutral: Shows

    Describes handing over a printed newsletter as a violent attack, which the report does not support.

    Natalie Harp Knifes Ice Maiden and Sparks Trump ‘Freakout’

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Sensational language

    FreakoutMore neutral: reaction

    Adds a dramatic label to Trump’s reaction that no source is quoted describing.

    Natalie Harp Knifes Ice Maiden and Sparks Trump ‘Freakout’

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Sensational language

    vicious internal power struggleMore neutral: internal dispute among aides

    “Vicious” adds a judgement about the infighting that the reported facts do not establish.

    A vicious internal power struggle has erupted inside the White House, where chaotic factional infighting…

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Sensational language

    presidential meltdownsMore neutral: angry outbursts reported by sources

    “Meltdowns” is a loaded characterization of the president’s behavior without a specific account.

    …has erupted inside the White House, where chaotic factional infighting and presidential meltdowns have turned the West Wing into what one Trump ally called “the new Wild Wild…

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Sensational language

    brewing civil warMore neutral: internal disagreement

    “Civil war” is a dramatic comparison that the reporting does not support.

    …the West Wing into what one Trump ally called “the new Wild Wild West.” The brewing civil war reached a crescendo on Thursday morning when Donald Trump’s favorite aide,…

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Loaded verb

    aggressively plottingMore neutral: discussing

    “Plotting” attributes a secret scheme to the aides as fact.

    Ambitious Trump aides are aggressively plotting to replace Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Vague attribution

    Amid rumorsMore neutral: report only what can be confirmed, or name the source of the rumor

    Publishes a rumor while disclaiming it.

    Amid rumors that Trump’s Chief of Staff Susie Wiles may depart after the November midterm…

    Used byThe Independent (Left)

  • Loaded verb

    Picks His ScapegoatMore neutral: Considers Replacing

    Presents Trump’s motive as blame-shifting as fact, which the reporting does not establish.

    Trump Picks His Scapegoat for Midterms Bust—and It’s a Doozy

    Used byThe New Republic (Far Left)

  • Sensational language

    It’s a DoozyMore neutral: a notable development

    Adds the outlet’s own dramatic judgement to the headline.

    Trump Picks His Scapegoat for Midterms Bust—and It’s a Doozy

    Used byThe New Republic (Far Left)

  • Loaded verb

    deridedMore neutral: criticized

    “Derided” characterizes the president’s manner of response beyond the words of his denial.

    The president derided a report making the claim as ‘fake news’ and said it’s evidence that a media ban is…

    Used byThe Epoch Times (Far Right)

  • Sensational language

    warring factionsMore neutral: groups

    “Warring” characterizes the groups as in open conflict, which the sources do not state.

    Three warring factions in Trump world are scrambling to install a successor to Susie Wiles, seven…

    Used byDaily Mail (Right)

  • Sensational language

    explosive White House battleMore neutral: internal White House dispute

    “Explosive” asserts a dramatic scale of conflict that the sources do not establish.

    …Susie Wiles leaks: The five names drafted for Trump's most powerful job as explosive White House battle spills out

    Used byDaily Mail (Right)

  • Sensational language

    jitteryMore neutral: tense

    Describes the mood inside the White House as frantic, which the article does not support with sourcing.

    Trump stands by Susie Wiles as infighting consumes jittery White House ahead of midterms

    Used byNew York Post (Right)

  • Sensational language

    bitterMore neutral: power struggle

    Adds an emotional judgement about the dispute beyond what the podcast reports.

    A bitter power struggle between two of the most influential women in President Donald Trump’s…

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Loaded verb

    EruptMore neutral: become public

    Presents a private power struggle as a dramatic outburst.

    Trump’s Women Erupt in Spectacular Catfight

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Sensational language

    Spectacular CatfightMore neutral: power struggle between two aides

    Dramatizes a professional dispute with a gendered slang term and an intensifier.

    Trump’s Women Erupt in Spectacular Catfight

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

Words quoted from someone else (4)Hide the quoted words

Loaded words that outlets reported someone else saying. They show what was said, not how the outlet chose to say it.

  • Delegitimizing label

    Quoted

    TOTAL FAKE NEWSMore neutral: disputes the report

    Calling reporting fake dismisses it without showing that the specific reported claims are false.

    “TOTAL FAKE NEWS Politico doesn’t care about facts, integrity, or honest journalism — it’s why I…

    Quoted byThe Hill (Center)Breitbart News (Far Right)

    These are Donald Trump’s words. The outlets are reporting them.

  • Delegitimizing label

    Quoted

    FAKE NEWSMore neutral: inaccurate report or say what is false and how you know

    Dismisses reporting wholesale; a false claim should be identified specifically.

    …replacing White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, calling the outlet “TOTAL FAKE NEWS.” Politico reported in Playbook that Trump is eyeing potential replacements for…

    Quoted byBreitbart News (Far Right)The Epoch Times (Far Right)

    Inside a quotation: the outlets are reporting someone else’s words.

  • Delegitimizing label

    Quoted

    fake storyMore neutral: a story Trump disputes

    Labels the report fake without evidence in the article; the claim is Trump’s own words.

    It was a fake story.

    Quoted byBreitbart News (Far Right)

    These are Donald Trump’s words. The outlets are reporting them.

  • Delegitimizing label

    Quoted

    a fake storyMore neutral: a report he disputes

    Labels the reports as false without evidence; this is Trump’s own characterization, which the outlet reports as his words.

    The president called the reports “a fake story” and praised Wiles as “smart” and “tough.” “The Susie Wiles story was a fake story.…

    Quoted byThe Daily Caller (Far Right)

    These are Donald Trump’s words. The outlets are reporting them.

See the full language guide

See for yourself

Side by side

What each side leads with and what it leaves out. Open a side to read its headlines.

From the left

4 outlets

Leads with

  • secret calls to allies
  • Wiles’s possible firing
  • Trump’s falling standing ahead of midterms

Leaves out

  • Trump’s public denial of the report

Reported by other sides, not found in this side’s coverage.

See the 4 headlines from the leftHide the headlines

From the center

2 outlets

Leads with

  • Trump’s denial
  • advisers rejecting the firing talk
  • negative feedback Politico reported

Leaves out

  • the reported factional fight over a successor

Reported by other sides, not found in this side’s coverage.

See the 2 headlines from the centerHide the headlines
  • SemaforCenter

    Trump advisers reject talk of a Wiles firing

    “I think it’s absurd,” one administration official said of talk that the president would fire his chief of staff.

    Read at Semafor (opens in a new tab)
  • The HillCenter

    Trump throws cold water on report Wiles is on thin ice

    President Trump dismissed reporting that White House chief of staff Susie Wiles's job is in jeopardy on Thursday. The White House issued a response from the president himself to Politico after the outlet reported that Trump has received negative feedback about Wiles from allies …

    Read at The Hill (opens in a new tab)

From the right

6 outlets · 1 opinion

Leads with

  • Trump’s rebuttal of the report
  • Trump’s confidence in Wiles
  • infighting in the White House
  • secret list of successors

Leaves out

  • the specific criticism of Wiles from allies that Politico reported

Reported by other sides, not found in this side’s coverage.

See the 7 headlines from the rightHide the headlines
  • One America NewsFar Right

    Trump rebuts Politico report that he would fire Susie Wiles: She ‘has my COMPLETE confidence’

    President Donald Trump dismissed reports that White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles’ job was on the line, saying there was no chance he would replace her.

    Read at One America News (opens in a new tab)
  • The Daily CallerFar Right

    Trump Denies Reports That He Was Considering Firing Susie Wiles

    President Donald Trump cut down rumors that he was considering replacing Susie Wiles as White House Chief of Staff Friday. Politico reported in the Thursday edition of its Playbook newsletter that the president was “considering replacing” Wiles, potentially with White House …

    Read at The Daily Caller (opens in a new tab)
  • New York PostRight

    Trump stands by Susie Wiles as infighting consumes Sensational language“jittery”Describes the mood inside the White House as frantic, which the article does not support with sourcing.More neutral: tenseDisagree with this highlight? White House ahead of midterms

    President Trump sought to put to rest two days of speculation that he might replace White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, saying Friday there is "zero chance" of her firing and that Wiles is "going to be here for a long time."

    Read at New York Post (opens in a new tab)
  • Breitbart NewsFar Right

    Trump: 'Zero Chance' I Replace Susie Wiles, 'She's Going to Be Here for a Long Time'

    President Donald Trump said Friday there is "zero chance" he will replace White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and that she will be in his administration "for a long time."

    Read at Breitbart News (opens in a new tab)
    1 more from Breitbart News
  • Daily MailRight

    Secret list to replace Susie Wiles leaks: The five names drafted for Trump's most powerful job as Sensational language“explosive White House battle”“Explosive” asserts a dramatic scale of conflict that the sources do not establish.More neutral: internal White House disputeDisagree with this highlight? spills out

    Three Sensational language“warring factions”“Warring” characterizes the groups as in open conflict, which the sources do not state.More neutral: groupsDisagree with this highlight? in Trump world are scrambling to install a successor to Susie Wiles, seven insiders have told the Daily Mail.

    Read at Daily Mail (opens in a new tab)
  • The Epoch TimesFar Right

    Trump Denies Reports He’s Looking to Replace Chief of Staff Susie Wiles

    The president Loaded verb“derided”“Derided” characterizes the president’s manner of response beyond the words of his denial.More neutral: criticizedDisagree with this highlight? a report making the claim as ‘Delegitimizing label“fake news”Dismisses reporting wholesale; a false claim should be identified specifically.More neutral: inaccurate report, say what is false and how you knowThis appears inside a quotation. The outlet is reporting someone else’s words.Disagree with this highlight?’ and said it’s evidence that a media ban is needed.

    Read at The Epoch Times (opens in a new tab)
  • PJ MediaFar RightOpinion

    If This Is True About Susie Wiles, It's Not Good News

    Politico published a Loaded modifier“troubling report”Calling the report troubling passes judgement on it before its claims are confirmed.More neutral: reportDisagree with this highlight? Thursday claiming that President Donald Trump has been quietly shopping around for a replacement for White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.

    Read at PJ Media (opens in a new tab)

Articles you open from here build My Mix, a private picture of how your reading spreads across the spectrum, kept on this device. What is My Mix?

The left is Far Left and Left together. The right is Right and Far Right together. Every outlet keeps its own five-point rating.

Who reported it when

How the coverage built up

  • Left

    First to report

    The Daily Beast, Oct 15, 8:09 AM EDT

  • Center

    2 hr 49 min later

    Its first report, Oct 15, 10:58 AM EDT

  • Right

    6 hr 25 min later

    Its first report, Oct 15, 2:35 PM EDT

See the order the outlets reported inHide the order
  1. The Daily BeastFar LeftOct 15, 8:09 AM EDT
  2. The IndependentLeftOct 15, 9:15 AM EDT
  3. The HillCenterOct 15, 10:58 AM EDT
  4. The New RepublicFar LeftOct 15, 12:02 PM EDT
  5. Breitbart NewsFar RightOct 15, 2:35 PM EDT
  6. SemaforCenterOct 16, 4:56 AM EDT
  7. The Epoch TimesFar RightOct 16, 1:20 PM EDT
  8. Daily MailRightOct 16, 4:40 PM EDT
  9. New York PostRightOct 16, 5:32 PM EDT
  10. BloombergLeftOct 16, 7:22 PM EDT
  11. The Daily CallerFar RightOct 17, 8:58 AM EDT
  12. One America NewsFar RightOct 17, 5:29 PM EDT

Times are the ones the outlets published in their own feeds, in Eastern time. Opinion is left out.

Read next

Help someone else find the truth beneath the surface

Most people see one side of a story. Share this one, so they can see how every side is telling it and decide for themselves.

Email it

Seen a mistake? Tell us what is wrong with this page