Wiles Reflects on Trump Assassination Attempt

In a recent interview, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles recounted the turmoil surrounding the assassination attempt on President Donald Trump, expressing her initial fear that he had been killed.

“The chaos was palpable the moment he was hit,” Wiles shared, noting her immediate reaction after hearing the gunshots.

During her conversation with Miranda Devine on “Pod Force One,” Wiles hinted at what she described as divine intervention. She mentioned how the immigration chart displayed on the rally’s big screen diverted Trump’s gaze just as the shots rang out.

“It’s remarkable that he asked for the chart eight minutes in. It appeared on the opposite side, causing him to look away and lift his head slightly. That kind of coincidence is unusual,” she reflected.

Following the incident, Trump was seen with blood on his face as he rallied supporters, declaring “Fight!” before being whisked away to safety—an unforgettable moment in political history.

“Naturally, you hope for the best but fear the worst. When he walked up, I thought, ‘Oh my gosh,'” Wiles recalled, confirming that soon after arriving at the hospital, it was clear that Trump would recover.

Still, she admitted the event transformed their approach to security, which had not been a priority before. “Security became paramount. The Secret Service, while always competent, ramped up in their efforts,” she mentioned, noting how they could have held outdoor rallies more frequently prior to the incident.

Wiles suggested that Trump believes he was “saved” that day.

On the podcast, she also mentioned that Trump is a keen reader, digesting multiple newspapers daily, including the Wall Street Journal and The New York Times.

Wiles shared her thoughts on the transition to the White House, praising the kindness of former President Joe Biden’s team. “They made the transition process smooth—they informed us about resources and what to expect. The presidency? Not quite so much,” she explained. “But the individuals I worked with were remarkable, and I still reach out to them occasionally.”

She touched on a meeting between Trump and Biden after the 2024 elections, noting, “It was surprising to see them so cordial, especially considering the harsh words exchanged between them in the past. They were almost like old friends.”