Trump reportedly blames aides, with Susie Wiles' standing questioned, as midterm outlook dims

Left · 1Zeteo reported on Friday 16 October, according to Raw Story, that sources close to President Donald Trump say White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles is the official positioned to take the blame for an expected Republican midterm setback. 1 Left · 1Zeteo's Asawin Suebsaeng wrote that Trump is aware of his poor poll numbers and is looking for people to blame. Suebsaeng said sources confirmed that Trump is fed up with Wiles and is weighing a shakeup, and that Stephen Miller is on a shortlist of possible successors. 1 Left · 1This followed a Politico report a day earlier that Trump had been musing about replacements for Wiles. Trump told Politico the report was "TOTAL FAKE NEWS" and that Wiles had his "COMPLETE confidence." 1

Right · 1A Reuters report carried by the Straits Times on 17 October, citing three people familiar with internal discussions, says Trump is blaming senior aides and political operatives for a faltering midterm strategy. It says he is questioning campaign spending, redistricting and candidate choices. 2 Right · 1Reuters says much of the friction centres on James Blair, who runs the Trump super PAC MAGA Inc., and on Wiles, who had largely escaped criticism until now. Trump has faulted Blair's handling of campaign funds, while some officials and allies question Wiles' oversight of the political operation. One source called the situation "a circular firing squad." 2 Right · 1Trump's frustration became public after Blair and Chris LaCivita travelled to Republika Srpska in early October. The New York Times reported they were paid to advise its regional government. Trump called them "outside consultants" on 7 October. One source told Reuters that Wiles approved the trip without telling Trump, and two sources said Blair is now unlikely to return to the White House. 2

Right · 1On Friday Trump publicly defended Wiles, calling Wiles "smart" and "tough" and saying, "Susie is here, and she's going to be here for a long time." Reuters says it is less clear how things will play out for Wiles, whom a fourth source credited with keeping "that machine going." 2 Right · 1White House spokesman Davis Ingle rejected the sources' account as "baseless speculation" from "armchair experts." Blair called the "mudslinging" "ridiculous, and counterproductive," and LaCivita dismissed "unnamed cowards." Wiles did not respond to a request for comment. 2 Right · 1Reuters reports that polls suggest Democrats will win the House while the Senate is too close to call. It says Trump's approval rating is at the lowest of his presidency, weighed down by high prices and dissatisfaction with the Iran war. It adds that Trump helped devise some strategies he now questions, including redistricting. MAGA Inc. has spent about $200 million so far. 2