Donald Trump is a known disruptor. He wants to change the way politics are done on Capitol Hill.
And the incoming Trump admin drops an order that’s causing a massive shakeup in Washington, D.C.
As Senate confirmation hearings loom for President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles issued a clear directive Sunday: stay off social media.
Wiles, the first woman to hold the role of chief of staff and dubbed the “Ice Maiden,” delivered the message in a memo obtained by the New York Post.
“While this instruction has been delivered previously, I am reiterating that no member of the incoming administration or Transition speaks for the United States or the President-elect himself,” Wiles wrote.
She emphasized in her Dec. 29 note that “all intended nominees should refrain from any public social media posts without prior approval of the incoming White House counsel.” While the tone was firm, Wiles also expressed appreciation for the enthusiasm surrounding the start of Trump’s second term.
The directive comes as Republican Senate leaders brace for contentious hearings, where even a slight GOP defection could derail some nominees. If the Democrats work to oppose Trump’s picks unanimously, Republicans can’t afford to lose more than three votes from their own caucus.
However, according to a Trump transition insider, Wiles’ memo wasn’t a reaction to the recent online drama stirred up by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy.
The duo, who co-chair the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—an unofficial body requiring no Senate approval—recently sparked MAGA-world debates with comments about H-1B visas.
“It was a reminder of the guidance to intended nominees as confirmation hearings get underway next week,” the source clarified to the New York Post.
While some of Trump’s nominees have faced intense public and political scrutiny, they’ve largely adhered to Wiles’ social media ban.
Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) withdrew his nomination for attorney general after an internal whip count showed he lacked sufficient support. Others, like Pete Hegseth, Trump’s controversial pick for defense secretary, remain in the fight.
Hegseth, whose confirmation has been clouded by allegations of misconduct and concerns within the GOP, has won over key figures like Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), who announced that she had “encouraging conversations” with him.
He has also toned down his once-combative social media presence after using the platform to defend himself against critics accusing him of promoting white supremacy through his tattoos.
Meanwhile, high-profile nominees like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard—chosen to lead the Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of National Intelligence, respectively—have remained quiet since the holidays.
Behind the scenes, all nominees have been working diligently on Capitol Hill, meeting with senators from both parties to build support.
As the confirmation battles approach, it appears Wiles’ strict messaging rules are holding firm—at least for now.
Democrats in the Senate will use anything and everything – like potentially damaging social media posts – against Trump’s nominees in order to stop them from being confirmed. RINOs (Republican In Name Only) will also be on the lookout to find things that they can use against Donald Trump’s cabinet picks.
Wiles is already proving she is capable of the role of chief of staff given that she’s trying to minimize these attacks from senators who want nothing more than for Trump to not have his preferred cabinet members in place for the start of his second term in the White House.
Stay tuned to The Federalist Wire.
