Donald Trump’s outgoing White House Chief of Staff, Susie Wiles, has been accused of using her powerful position to benefit corporate interests and her family, following allegations made by a former adviser to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Calley Means, a former Kennedy ally who recently left the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), alleged that companies employing Wiles’ daughter, Katie Wiles, as a lobbyist received preferential access to the Trump administration.
The accusations emerged as Trump announced that Wiles would leave her White House position and move into his political operation, with Stephen Miller named as her replacement.
Former Kennedy Adviser Accuses Wiles of Favouring Corporate Interests
Speaking during an interview with podcaster Joe Rogan, Means alleged that Wiles’ family benefited financially from companies seeking favourable treatment from the administration.
He claimed businesses that hired Katie Wiles for lobbying work were given greater priority when seeking government funding.
“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 told Rogan.
Means, who departed HHS approximately two weeks ago, described the alleged arrangement as an example of how corporate interests influenced decisions within the administration.
He also accused Wiles of helping block reforms associated with Kennedy’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda.
Means Claims Midterm Fundraising Influenced Health Reforms
Means alleged that Wiles repeatedly emphasised the need to raise money ahead of the midterm elections, even when doing so conflicted with the administration’s health policy objectives.
According to him, Wiles told him on several occasions: “We need money for the midterms, Calley. We need money for the midterms.”
He specifically accused her of shutting down a proposed study examining the effects of sugar consumption on children.
Means further claimed that Wiles had told him: “I need the money from the sugar people to win the midterms.”
He argued that the administration had become more concerned with securing financial support from influential interests than delivering the policies voters had supported.
“Everyone in DC convinced themselves that money is more important than voters. Again, that’s the Susie Wiles premise,” he said.
E-Cigarette and Kratom Industries Also Targeted in Allegations
The former Kennedy adviser also accused Wiles of being too accommodating towards the e-cigarette and kratom industries because of lobbying pressure.
He claimed that representatives of the industries mounted sustained efforts to persuade officials in the West Wing to relax regulatory standards.
“Unrelenting lobbying happened and this Susie world… huge pushing, huge, huge pushing, meetings pushing from the West Wing… to relax the standards,” Means said.
He alleged that the pressure contributed to resistance against the health reforms Kennedy had been pursuing.
Means also criticised what he described as a group of officials within the administration who were working against the policies that had helped secure Trump’s return to the White House.
“The simple reality [of] why I left is that there is a very concentrated group of people in the Trump administration that are antagonistic to what people voted for and are, frankly – I think it’s very clear – doing things for other reasons,” he said.
He added that some of those involved were allegedly motivated by opportunities to enrich their families.
Means described Wiles as “the most powerful chief of staff in modern American history” while accusing her of overseeing an administration culture that disregarded the interests of Trump’s voters.
Trump Announces Stephen Miller as Wiles’ Replacement
Trump confirmed the White House leadership change on Friday, announcing that Miller would assume the chief of staff position on Monday, November 9, 2026.
In a statement published on Truth Social, the president praised Miller, describing him as one of his most trusted advisers.
“I am pleased to announce that Mr. Stephen Miller, the current Deputy Chief of Staff of the Trump Administration, and one of my most trusted advisors, will become the Chief of Staff starting Monday, November 9, 2026,” Trump wrote.
He also praised Wiles’ performance and announced that she would move to the Trump Political Operation.
“Susie Wiles, who has done an outstanding job, will be moving over to the Trump Political Operation.
I want to thank her for her service as Chief of Staff — She has done a great job!” he added.
Miller, who has worked alongside Trump since the beginning of his political career, welcomed the appointment.
“It has been the privilege of my lifetime to have served on his team from Day One, and I am honored beyond words to serve as his White House Chief of Staff,” he said in a statement posted on X.
He also thanked Wiles for her service, describing her as a friend who had devoted years to the president and the country.
“The mission now is more clear than ever: Fight with all of our soul to support our President and defend this magnificent Republic,” Miller added.
Wiles Announces Departure After Midterm Election Defeat
The announcement came days after Democrats secured a major victory in the midterm elections, delivering a significant setback to Trump and the Republican Party.
The scale of the Democratic gains raised concerns among Republicans about the party’s ability to maintain control of Congress over the coming years.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Trump said the decision to replace Wiles was his own, despite praising her work.
“I wanted to make a change. I think Susie’s done a very good job, great job, but … we gotta make moves.
Sometimes in life, you have to make moves,” he said.
However, a senior White House official offered a different account of the departure, telling the Daily Mail that Wiles had submitted her resignation the previous night.
The conflicting explanations have raised questions about whether Wiles voluntarily stepped down or was removed from the position.
Wiles also confirmed her departure in a farewell message posted on X.
“Today is my last day as White House Chief of Staff,” she wrote, describing her service under Trump as the honour of a lifetime.
She highlighted the administration’s work on border security, tax reductions, economic policy and its America First agenda.
Wiles also expressed gratitude to the people she had worked alongside during her time in the White House.
Wiles Had Previously Been Linked to an Exit Plan
Wiles’ departure comes months after the Daily Mail reported in June that she was quietly preparing to leave her position following the midterm elections.
The White House denied the report at the time, while Wiles also rejected suggestions that she was planning to step down.
However, she ultimately left the role just days after the election results were announced.
Wiles had been one of Trump’s closest political allies since his 2016 presidential campaign and became the longest-serving Republican White House chief of staff.
