Miranda Devine: Vanity Fair Interview Was a 'Targeted' Attack on Susie Wiles and the Trump Admin

The Controversial Vanity Fair Profile of Susie Wiles

The 10,000-word article published in Vanity Fair on Susie Wiles has become a prime example of what many consider a hit piece. Written by Chris Whipple, a journalist with a long history in major media outlets such as CBS’s “60 Minutes,” ABC, MSNBC, CNN, NPR, Politico, The Daily Beast, The New York Times, and The Washington Post, the piece frames Wiles in a way that aligns with typical narratives seen in left-leaning media.

It's surprising that Wiles allowed Whipple to craft such a narrative, but it appears she did. According to Mark Halperin, a veteran Washington journalist, Wiles may have believed that the 11 interviews she had with Whipple this year were off the record. In journalism, trust is paramount, and revealing off-the-record conversations can be career-ending. This is exemplified by Olivia Nuzzi, a former West Coast correspondent for Vanity Fair, who coined the term "Michael Wolffing it" — meaning she told a source everything was off the record and then printed it anyway.

Wolff, known for his controversial books about Trump, made a name for himself by burning sources and fabricating stories. However, his work no longer holds the same credibility. Nuzzi's career, on the other hand, has been effectively ended — not just due to her personal relationships with politicians, but also because of this betrayal.

Wiles did not respond to questions from The Post regarding whether she thought her conversations with Whipple were off the record, which itself speaks volumes.

Tape Recordings and Journalistic Tactics

Whipple claimed to have tape recordings of their conversations, according to The New York Times. On CNN, he responded to Wiles’ accusations that he had taken her out of context with a knowing smirk, stating, “The giveaway, when you’re a journalist and you hear your target, the subject... talking about things like ‘context’ and ‘omissions,’ you know you’re on the right track because there isn’t a single fact or a single assertion that they’ve challenged in the piece.”

Whipple referred to Wiles as the “target” in the article, which might not have been evident during their seemingly warm interactions. He described various moments, such as phone calls after she attended church on Sundays or when she was doing laundry at home. He even mentioned the time she called him from her car.

Strategic Quotes and Political Reactions

The article included several quotes that quickly became part of the Democratic arsenal. One notable line was Wiles' comment on Donald Trump: “Has an alcoholic’s personality.” Another was her description of Vice President JD Vance as “a conspiracy theorist,” and her assessment of Pam Bondi as “completely whiffed.” She also labeled Elon Musk as “an avowed ketamine user.”

Despite these comments, Trump and his administration quickly rallied around Wiles, praising her loyalty and leadership. Her remarks about Trump were seen as compliments, especially since the president himself acknowledged the similarity, saying, “She’s right... I don’t drink alcohol... but I’ve often said that if I did, I’d have a very good chance of being an alcoholic.”

Vance responded to the accusation that he is a conspiracy theorist with a witty remark, stating, “Sometimes I’m a conspiracy theorist, but I only believe in the conspiracy theories that are true.” He listed several examples, including the lies surrounding COVID and the anti-Trump lawfare, suggesting that conspiracy theories are often truths that the media eventually admits.

Unflattering Portraits and Journalistic Choices

The article featured unflattering photos of key figures, including Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, and press secretary Karoline Leavitt. These images, characterized by extreme closeups that highlight every blemish and wrinkle, seem more like mug shots than the glamorous portraits typically seen in Vanity Fair.

Wiles is depicted with exaggerated expressions, and it seems that photographer Christopher Anderson, known for his gritty style, was chosen over Annie Leibovitz, who has captured iconic images of past presidential teams. Anderson’s Instagram posts suggest that some critics found his work unflattering, with one comment stating, “He didn’t make them look ugly. They are ugly.”

Timing and Context

The timing of the article, released in January as the midterm elections approached, could not have been worse. The magazine’s foreboding photographs and layout added to the tension. Additionally, the release of the first lady’s Amazon documentary “Melania” in January introduced another potential vulnerability for Trump’s opponents to exploit.

Overall, the article has sparked significant debate, highlighting the complex relationship between journalists and their subjects, as well as the power of media in shaping public perception.