Vice President JD Vance publicly addressed his inclination towards conspiracy theories on December 16, 2025. This admission followed White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles labeling him as such in a Vanity Fair profile. At an event at a Uline Inc. facility in Alburtis, Pennsylvania, near Allentown, Vance responded to reporters’ inquiries about Wiles’ characterization.
“Sometimes I am a conspiracy theorist, but I only believe in the conspiracy theories that are true,” Vance stated, suggesting that conspiracy theories often gain validity prior to mainstream acknowledgment. He remarked, “a conspiracy theory is just something that was true six months before the media admitted it.”
These statements were a response to Wiles’ remarks in her extensive interviews with Vanity Fair, in which she said Vance had exhibited conspiracy-driven thinking for a decade. She also indicated that his political transition from a Trump critic to a supporter of the MAGA movement was “sort of political,” linking it to the timeline of his Senate campaign.
Wiles participated in 11 interviews with Vanity Fair over several months, offering candid assessments of significant figures in President Donald Trump’s administration.
Conducted by author Chris Whipple starting in early 2025, the Vanity Fair interviews offered uncommon access to a typically reserved White House official. The administration cooperated with the project, with multiple officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, engaging in interviews and posing for photos by Christopher Anderson.
The photos themselves sparked controversy on social media, with critics labeling the extreme close-up images unflattering. The high-definition portraits featured administration figures like Wiles, Vance, Rubio, and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, prompting widespread online discussion.
In addition to her comments on Vance, Wiles made several other notable observations during the interviews. She described Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought as “a right-wing absolute zealot” and referred to billionaire Elon Musk as an “odd duck” and “avowed ketamine user.” Wiles also shared her initial hesitations about President Trump’s blanket pardons for January 6 defendants, advocating for clemency only for non-violent participants before ultimately supporting the president’s decision.
Despite the critical remarks, Vance defended Wiles during his Pennsylvania appearance, commending her allegiance to the president and calling her the best White House chief of staff Trump could hope for.
“Susie Wiles, we have our disagreements. We agree on much more than we disagree, but I’ve never seen her be disloyal to the president of the United States,” Vance stated.
The Vanity Fair article generated considerable fallout within the administration, prompting Wiles to distance herself from the publication. She took to social media, describing the piece as a hit job.
President Trump himself defended Wiles, admitting, however, that he had not read the article. He dismissed Vanity Fair and lauded Wiles for her “fantastic job” as chief of staff.
Among Wiles’ comments was her assertion that Trump has “an alcoholic’s personality.” Trump confirmed this view in a New York Post interview, acknowledging his “possessive and addictive type personality” and highlighting his choice to abstain from alcohol.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt joined other administration officials in defending Wiles, describing her as “the most loyal adviser” to the president.
During his Pennsylvania address, Vance criticized Vanity Fair, suggesting that officials should limit their interviews with mainstream media outlets.
Besides her comments on Vance, Wiles criticized Attorney General Pam Bondi’s handling of the Epstein files and made observations about other key administration figures. Republican commentator and Trump supporter Scott Jennings, appearing on CNN, criticized the Vanity Fair photographs.