Olivia, I so appreciate the depth of sincerity and humility in this post. You and I first “met” on Twitter at a time when you were still processing a lot of the tension of this and it has been so encouraging to watch you walk this journey and, in a very small way, to walk alongside you during it.
You are one of the few “good stories” out of Trump 1.0 and I keep hoping that more like you will come around. It is precisely your ability to look back on those times and recognize the reality of what was going on—and to move forward with a different focus—that makes me admire and respect you so much.
Stay strong, my friend. And keep speaking this truth. You’re doing a world of good. ❤️
Those early conversations mattered more than you probably realized at the time. None of this clarity comes in a straight line, and it certainly doesn’t happen in isolation. Having people willing to stay in dialogue, especially when things were uncomfortable or unresolved, made a real difference for me.
I share these reflections not because I have it all figured out, but because accountability and course-correction are the only way we prevent this from repeating. If my experience helps others pause, question, or rethink their own assumptions, then it’s worth putting it out there.
I’m grateful you’ve been walking alongside me. Thank you for the encouragement, and for caring about truth enough to stick with it.🤍
Yes, Olivia. Your learnings from your experience can, I believe, outweigh any facilitation of which you were responsible. And I have observed you during the time of your realization of your compliance. I have the feeling that your immediate boss, Mike Pence, has also had some of the same realizations you have had. And I am thankful to you for being so honest, not ony with yourself, but with the rest of us. Thank you!
Thanks for sharing your lived experience. As a corporate ombudsman for 15 years, I had similar feelings about the fine line I walked between counseling and facilitating the wise use of executive power vs enabling its damaging abuse. But the article exposed the addictive similarities between alcoholism and POWERism. And now SW has backhandedly admitted that the survival skills she learned enabling an alcoholic father are the same enabling skills she applies with Trump. Indeed, she knows that to do otherwise would only result in her marginalization, or firing. Honorable, well-intentioned and democracy-protecting dissent is extinct in this regime.
Susie Wiles was touted as the person who would control Trump in his second term. She has failed miserably. He’s worse than he was in his first term. He does whatever he wants and if anyone pushes back, it appears that he doesn’t listen or take any advice from anybody. It’s a waste of our tax-payer money to have to pay her for her job.
Very powerful and honest article. Thank you for modeling how to take responsibility for one's choices, how to face difficult truths. I hope your story about your lived experience will inspire those facing these difficult choices now to find the clarity that you did.
Olivia your candour is remarkable in an age where people try to “ spin” truth. Your words hold more wet than most because you have the lived experience and are willing to share the insights gained by fooling yourself that you could be a guardrail. This will be studied for many many years and your voice I hope will contribute to an understanding of how good people become complicit in immoral acts. Many thanks. 🙏 🇨🇦
Stand tall, young lady. You saw the Light and ran toward it, for the good of us all. I admire your fortitude, your forthrightness, your heart for what is right.
The entire Republican Party is an enabler. All of them. The right wing media, the gop establishment, all of them are complicit in this. I’m glad you are speaking out, but this will not end until the Republican Party ends.
Olivia, this reads like a confession — not the kind given in an interrogation room, the kind given in church. Thank you for the honesty and bravery it took to open up. If Susie Wiles has a soul, it will shrivel and leave her at some point. We will have to wait and see how things turn out. You, at least, will manage to survive and turn things around. For that, we are all grateful.
You have an amazing and unique perspective that citizens of this country need to hear. Thank you for walking the path of integrity and sharing your experiences so honestly and openly. As an outsider, I have my suspicions of incompetence, cruelty, and avarice. But as a former insider, you shine the clarifying light of reality on this administration. Wishing you all the best in these dark times.
Time will tell whether she's been effective? At what, allowing brutality, cruelty, and dehumanization? As far as I can tell she has been extremely effective.
Olivia, I so appreciate the depth of sincerity and humility in this post. You and I first “met” on Twitter at a time when you were still processing a lot of the tension of this and it has been so encouraging to watch you walk this journey and, in a very small way, to walk alongside you during it.
You are one of the few “good stories” out of Trump 1.0 and I keep hoping that more like you will come around. It is precisely your ability to look back on those times and recognize the reality of what was going on—and to move forward with a different focus—that makes me admire and respect you so much.
Stay strong, my friend. And keep speaking this truth. You’re doing a world of good. ❤️
Steve, thank you for this. Truly.
Those early conversations mattered more than you probably realized at the time. None of this clarity comes in a straight line, and it certainly doesn’t happen in isolation. Having people willing to stay in dialogue, especially when things were uncomfortable or unresolved, made a real difference for me.
I share these reflections not because I have it all figured out, but because accountability and course-correction are the only way we prevent this from repeating. If my experience helps others pause, question, or rethink their own assumptions, then it’s worth putting it out there.
I’m grateful you’ve been walking alongside me. Thank you for the encouragement, and for caring about truth enough to stick with it.🤍
Amen!
Very thoughtful article. Thank you for writing from experience
Yes, Olivia. Your learnings from your experience can, I believe, outweigh any facilitation of which you were responsible. And I have observed you during the time of your realization of your compliance. I have the feeling that your immediate boss, Mike Pence, has also had some of the same realizations you have had. And I am thankful to you for being so honest, not ony with yourself, but with the rest of us. Thank you!
Brave girl, our Olivia!!
Thank you for this piece.
The immediate "tell" in Wiles's quotes was her description of Trump as "an alcoholic personality". This is an admission that she is an enabler.
Bang on point.
Thank you.
Thanks for sharing your lived experience. As a corporate ombudsman for 15 years, I had similar feelings about the fine line I walked between counseling and facilitating the wise use of executive power vs enabling its damaging abuse. But the article exposed the addictive similarities between alcoholism and POWERism. And now SW has backhandedly admitted that the survival skills she learned enabling an alcoholic father are the same enabling skills she applies with Trump. Indeed, she knows that to do otherwise would only result in her marginalization, or firing. Honorable, well-intentioned and democracy-protecting dissent is extinct in this regime.
Well said sir.
Susie Wiles was touted as the person who would control Trump in his second term. She has failed miserably. He’s worse than he was in his first term. He does whatever he wants and if anyone pushes back, it appears that he doesn’t listen or take any advice from anybody. It’s a waste of our tax-payer money to have to pay her for her job.
Very powerful and honest article. Thank you for modeling how to take responsibility for one's choices, how to face difficult truths. I hope your story about your lived experience will inspire those facing these difficult choices now to find the clarity that you did.
Olivia your candour is remarkable in an age where people try to “ spin” truth. Your words hold more wet than most because you have the lived experience and are willing to share the insights gained by fooling yourself that you could be a guardrail. This will be studied for many many years and your voice I hope will contribute to an understanding of how good people become complicit in immoral acts. Many thanks. 🙏 🇨🇦
Weight not wet.
Stand tall, young lady. You saw the Light and ran toward it, for the good of us all. I admire your fortitude, your forthrightness, your heart for what is right.
You GO, my dear!
#HoldFast
The entire Republican Party is an enabler. All of them. The right wing media, the gop establishment, all of them are complicit in this. I’m glad you are speaking out, but this will not end until the Republican Party ends.
Olivia, this reads like a confession — not the kind given in an interrogation room, the kind given in church. Thank you for the honesty and bravery it took to open up. If Susie Wiles has a soul, it will shrivel and leave her at some point. We will have to wait and see how things turn out. You, at least, will manage to survive and turn things around. For that, we are all grateful.
So far, you and Michael D. Sellers have my award for deciphering Susie Wiles. She is evil. She owns what actions Trump has taken as much as himself.
Brilliant piece; thank you so much for sharing.
You have an amazing and unique perspective that citizens of this country need to hear. Thank you for walking the path of integrity and sharing your experiences so honestly and openly. As an outsider, I have my suspicions of incompetence, cruelty, and avarice. But as a former insider, you shine the clarifying light of reality on this administration. Wishing you all the best in these dark times.
I can't tell you how much I appreciate your experience, honesty, and courage.
I can't say it any better than those who have already replied to you. Thanks again for your courage and honesty.
Excellent piece, Olivia. Wise and well written. Thank you.
Time will tell whether she's been effective? At what, allowing brutality, cruelty, and dehumanization? As far as I can tell she has been extremely effective.