Trump allies face controversies, exits and White House uncertainty (Img: X)
New Delhi: The Trump administration is facing fresh turbulence as questions over appointments, internal rivalries and allegations involving senior allies put several prominent figures under scrutiny. From the abrupt departure of new press secretary Katie Zacharia to uncertainty surrounding Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and controversies involving Alina Habba and Kimberly Guilfoyle, the developments have highlighted tensions within President Donald Trump's political circle.
The latest episode centres on Zacharia, whose appointment as White House press secretary quickly turned into a controversy over her professional credentials and her performance in public appearances. Meanwhile, former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has moved into another advisory role, while Guilfoyle's tenure as US ambassador to Greece ended following a dispute involving a political donor.
Anthony Scaramucci served as White House communications director for 11 days, from July 21 to July 31, 2017. Zacharia's brief stint as press secretary appeared set to become another short-lived chapter in Trump's administration.
Trump announced on October 9 that Zacharia would replace Karoline Leavitt. She had previously served as a Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman earlier in 2026 and as a senior communications adviser to Trump Media & Technology Group. Trump described her as a loyal supporter and a member of the MAGA movement.
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However, her appointment soon drew attention to her professional background. Zacharia had described herself as a lawyer and had worked at a law firm in Beijing. Her profile also listed her as general counsel for Fix California, an advocacy group founded by Trump ally Ric Grenell. Reports subsequently questioned her legal credentials, noting that no record showed she was registered as an attorney or admitted to the bar in any US state or the District of Columbia.
When Trump was asked about her legal practice, he turned to Zacharia for an answer. She said she had practised in China. Reports subsequently indicated that she had never passed a bar examination or obtained a licence to practise law.
Her first public appearance also attracted criticism. During an interview on Sean Hannity's Fox News programme, she faced tough questioning that prompted political commentators to speculate that she had been placed in a difficult position from the outset.
By October 16, Trump was publicly suggesting that she reconsider the job. A White House official subsequently said she was being let go, bringing her tenure to an abrupt end.
Wiles, Trump's chief of staff and a key architect of his successful 2024 presidential campaign, has also faced speculation about her future. She became the first woman to hold the position, overseeing the president's schedule, coordinating senior aides and managing the administration's priorities.
Politico reported that Trump was considering replacing her and had been asking people for potential candidates. Trump dismissed the report as fake news and said Wiles would remain in her position for a long time.
One reported source of tension was Trump's decision to approach Zacharia about the press secretary's job without consulting Wiles. The move reportedly raised concerns about the chief of staff's influence over personnel decisions in the West Wing.
Wiles has also faced scrutiny over political consulting work undertaken by longtime Trump allies Chris LaCivita and Tony Fabrizio Blair in Republika Srpska, Bosnia. Trump distanced himself from the two men and threatened to fire them if their work created a conflict of interest.
In September, Wiles announced that tests had shown no remaining evidence of her breast cancer following treatment.
Former Trump personal attorney Alina Habba has become embroiled in a dispute over a reported multimillion-dollar donation intended for the Kennedy Center.
An Axios report published on October 14 said Trump had directed White House counsel to examine allegations Habba raised during a meeting. She reportedly claimed that a donation her billionaire husband, Turkish businessman Turhan Mildon, intended for the institution had not reached it.
The reported amount initially stood at $17 million before being narrowed to approximately $5.6 million, with White House sources describing it as nearly $6 million.
Habba's allegations involved Grenell, the former Kennedy Center president, whom she accused of persuading her husband to include the money in a larger payment linked to a business deal involving a US company.
Grenell strongly denied the allegations, calling them absurd. He said he had never asked for money to be redirected under the pretence that it was a Kennedy Center donation. The White House sought documentation, while an official cautioned that the claims remained unproven and could stem from a misunderstanding.
Noem, who was removed as Homeland Security secretary in March, has moved into another role after her special envoy position expired last month.
“Kristi Noem’s envoy status expired last month and she is no longer in the role,” an official said. “She is now a Senior Advisor to Deputy Secretary Landau and continues to work on the Shield of the Americas portfolio.”
Her departure from DHS followed controversy over an advertising campaign featuring her prominently. She had told lawmakers that Trump approved the agency's spending on the campaign. In September, Noem also filed for divorce from her husband, Bryon Noem, ending their 34-year marriage.
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Guilfoyle's departure as US ambassador to Greece followed reports concerning her dealings with Trump donor Eric Deters.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Guilfoyle had asked Deters to transfer $100,000 towards her American Express bill before her confirmation hearing. The report raised questions about messages suggesting she might offer access to administration officials in return. Deters reportedly declined.
The newspaper also reported allegations concerning private flights and luxury accommodation. Guilfoyle's lawyers denied wrongdoing, saying she had complied with State Department rules and that the money sought related to unpaid speaking fees from before her nomination.
Trump initially said he was considering whether to dismiss her. On October 13, the White House announced that she had been asked to resign. Guilfoyle announced her departure hours later, rejecting the allegations and vowing to defend her reputation.
Together, the developments have brought renewed attention to personnel changes, competing loyalties and unresolved allegations surrounding Trump's administration and its political allies.
