Vance Responds to Vanity Fair’s Claims

Vice President J.D. Vance on Tuesday rejected claims made in a Vanity Fair article that suggested the president’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles, labeled him a “conspiracy theorist.” During a press briefing in Pennsylvania, he leaned into the topic, hinting that Wiles might not have meant it in a negative light.

“I can be a conspiracy theorist, but I only believe in conspiracy theories that are true,” Vance shared with reporters. He recalled joking with Wiles about various topics, dating back to 2020, including his beliefs regarding mask mandates for young children during the pandemic. “I thought it was a bit silly to make a 3-year-old wear a mask when they should be developing language skills. And I believed, somewhat controversially, that the media and the government were downplaying concerns about Joe Biden’s capabilities.”

Vance added, “In some cases, it turns out my so-called conspiracy theories were indeed validated months before the media caught on.”

Additionally, Vance defended Wiles, commending her competence as chief of staff and expressing unwavering loyalty to President Donald Trump. “I’ve never seen Susie go behind the scenes to undermine the president,” he said. “The American people elected the president, not his staff. While Susie and I may have our differences, fundamentally, we agree on much more than we disagree.” He believes her loyalty makes her an exceptional chief of staff.

In a separate statement, Wiles criticized the Vanity Fair article, asserting it was misleading and lacked important context. She described it as a “hit piece” about both herself and the Trump administration, emphasizing that the article overlooked crucial details that would clarify their operations.

Wiles elaborated on her views, stating that Vance’s support for Trump was politically motivated rather than genuine. She indicated that her comments about the president were meant to offer insights rather than disparagement. “Much of what was omitted from the story served to create a chaotic and negative portrayal of the president and our team,” she noted.

Wiles concluded by highlighting the achievements of Trump’s administration, claiming, “In just 11 months, we’ve done more than many presidents have in eight years, thanks to Trump’s remarkable leadership.” She asserted her pride in serving him for nearly a decade.