In a series of revealing interviews, Susie Wiles, the chief of staff to former US President Donald Trump, has provided an unprecedented behind-the-scenes look at his leadership style, plans for political retribution, and aggressive foreign policy strategy, particularly regarding Venezuela. The insights, published on December 16, 2025, shed light on the potential priorities of a second Trump term.
Inside Trump's Personality and Leadership
Wiles described Donald Trump as an intense, ambitious, and highly confident leader. She offered a candid perspective on his behavior away from the public eye, portraying him as a figure who thinks in broad strokes but is often not engrossed in the minute details of policy and process.
One of her most striking observations was a comparison of Trump's demeanor to that of a high-functioning alcoholic, despite his well-known abstinence from alcohol. "Trump has an alcoholic's personality," Wiles stated. She clarified that her viewpoint stems from personal experience, noting that the personalities of high-functioning individuals can become exaggerated.
Contrary to his public image, Wiles suggested that Trump is not as angry or temperamental as he is frequently portrayed. However, she emphasized his boundless self-assurance, stating he operates with a belief that "there's nothing he can't do. Nothing, zero, nothing."
Managing Retribution and Criticising Allies
A significant portion of Wiles' revelations centred on Trump's focus on settling political scores, especially following his 2020 election defeat. She disclosed that she plays a role in managing this focus, revealing an early administration agreement that "the score settling will end before the first 90 days are over."
Wiles framed the intent not purely as vengeance but as a cleanup operation. "I don't think he's on a retribution tour…people that have done bad things need to get out of the government," she explained. She acknowledged that some actions might appear retaliatory and admitted that the potential prosecution of New York Attorney General Letitia James could be "the one retribution."
Wiles did not spare Trump's allies from criticism. She openly faulted former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi for her handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case, accusing her of misjudging her audience and distributing "binders full of nothingness." Wiles strongly defended Trump's connection to the case, asserting, "I have read the Epstein file and Trump is not in the file doing anything awful."
Aggressive Foreign Policy: The Venezuela Strategy
On the foreign policy front, Wiles outlined a particularly hawkish approach towards Venezuela. She indicated that Trump desires to continue military actions against drug-trafficking boats with significant force. "He wants to keep on blowing boats up until Maduro cries uncle," Wiles said, adding that experts believe this tactic would succeed.
She stressed that such strikes would be precise, with the administration being "very sure we know who we're blowing up." While the public justification focuses on combating drug trafficking and protecting American lives, Wiles' comments hinted at underlying regime-change motives against President Nicolás Maduro's government.
Key Implications and Takeaways
The disclosures from Trump's top aide paint a picture of a potential second term marked by:
- A leader with an intense, confident personality who delegates policy details.
- A calculated, though managed, approach to political retribution against perceived adversaries.
- Sharp criticism of allies deemed ineffective, as seen in the Bondi remarks.
- An unwavering and aggressive military stance on Venezuela, aiming to pressure the Maduro regime.
- A continued disconnect between internal motivations and public justifications for foreign policy actions.
These insights from Susie Wiles offer a crucial roadmap for understanding the operational style and key agendas that could define a future Trump administration, highlighting both his personal drive and the strategic contours of his policy vision.
