Trump Admits, "I Have An Alcoholic's Personality'"

President Donald Trump on Tuesday publicly defended White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles after she remarked in a recent profile that he has an “alcoholic’s personality,” saying the description was accurate and not offensive.

Speaking in an interview, Trump said Wiles was correct in her assessment and noted that he has made similar comments about himself for years. “No, she meant that I’m — you see, I don’t drink alcohol,” Trump said. “But I’ve often said that if I did, I’d have a very good chance of being an alcoholic. I’ve said that many times about myself.”

Trump, who is a teetotaler, reiterated that his abstinence stems in part from the death of his older brother Fred in 1981 from an alcohol-related heart attack. He described himself as having what he called a “possessive and addictive type personality,” adding that this intensity is part of how he operates as president. “I’m fortunate I’m not a drinker,” he said. “If I did, I could very well be [an alcoholic].”

Wiles made the comment in a Vanity Fair profile, telling author Chris Whipple that Trump has an “alcoholic’s personality” because he operates with the belief that “there’s nothing he can’t do.” She also spoke broadly about how strong personalities can become exaggerated under the influence of alcohol, drawing on her own personal background.

Trump said he had not read the article and dismissed it as a misguided piece, while firmly backing Wiles. “She’s fantastic,” he said, adding that he has full confidence in her leadership as chief of staff. He suggested the interviewer misrepresented her remarks and said Wiles rarely gives interviews.

The comments initially sparked surprise in Washington, but administration officials quickly rallied around Wiles. Vice President JD Vance acknowledged there was truth in some of her blunt characterizations, while Attorney General Pam Bondi and other senior officials praised Wiles as effective, loyal, and instrumental in keeping the administration focused.

Wiles later described the profile as a “disingenuously framed hit piece,” arguing that her remarks were taken out of context to portray chaos within the administration. Trump made no public comment about the article on social media, instead choosing to address the matter directly and stand by his chief of staff.