Susie Wiles characterizes Vice President JD Vance as 'conspiracy theorist for a decade'

In the Vanity Fair interviews, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles delivered a blunt assessment of Vice President JD Vance, stating he has 'been a conspiracy theorist for a decade.' The characterization of the sitting Vice President by Trump's top aide was particularly striking given Vance's role in the administration and came amid coverage of Vance's history of promoting unfounded claims. Vance responded with humor at a Pennsylvania speech, saying 'Sometimes I am a conspiracy theorist, but I only believe in the conspiracy theories that are true,' while defending Wiles as 'the best White House chief of staff that I think the president could ask for.' The comment revealed internal tensions and candid private assessments within the administration, with Wiles' on-the-record criticism of the VP exposing fractures in the public facade of unity.

"Been a conspiracy theorist for a decade." — Vanity Fair interview about Vice President JD Vance, published December 16, 2025