‘Clown Car’ Conditions: Trump’s Chief of Staff Pick Sets Boundaries on Oval Office Access

Donald Trump’s selection of Susie Wiles as the first female chief of staff in U.S. history comes with a set of conditions aimed at limiting Oval Office access. According to a report by CNN, before agreeing to take on the influential role, Wiles conveyed her concerns to Trump, urging him to control who he allows into the Oval Office—a measure intended to curb the influence of informal advisers and unqualified visitors.

“The clown car can’t come into the White House at will,” a source told CNN, summarizing Wiles’ stance. The source added, “And he agrees with her.” This agreement marks an effort to sidestep the challenges that plagued Trump’s previous administration, where former chiefs of staff struggled to manage the steady stream of informal advisers, family members, friends, and other visitors who often shaped Trump’s decisions on various issues.

CNN noted that Trump is often swayed by whoever he last spoke to, a factor that has complicated consistent policy-making in the past. Trump’s first term saw a high turnover in the chief of staff position, with several appointees struggling to manage the Oval Office’s access and streamline communication. Retired Marine Gen. John Kelly, Trump’s longest-serving chief of staff, publicly criticized the former president after leaving the position, calling Trump a “fascist” and expressing fears that he would “govern like a dictator” if re-elected.

Kelly’s outspoken opposition highlights the challenges former chiefs faced while working to maintain an orderly administration amid Trump’s preference for input from informal and sometimes disruptive advisers. Tom Giovanetti, president of the Institute for Policy Innovation, voiced support for Wiles’ approach on X, writing, “If Susie Wiles can ‘keep the clown car people out of the Oval Office’ she will be an absolute hero.”

Giovanetti’s comment echoes a sentiment shared by many within Trump’s inner circle who believe that limiting Oval Office access could lend a sense of structure to his second term. Wiles’ appointment has historical significance, as she becomes the first woman to hold the chief of staff position. Her background in political management includes a prominent role as Trump’s campaign manager, where she earned Trump’s trust and contributed to his 2024 electoral efforts.

Her experience and established rapport with Trump may give her the leverage needed to enforce boundaries within the White House, a task her predecessors found challenging. The “clown car” issue, as it has been labeled by insiders, has been a recurring theme in Trump’s inner circle, where unfiltered access has often led to policy reversals and last-minute decisions.

Wiles’ reported insistence on limiting the presence of unqualified visitors may be an attempt to provide Trump’s second administration with a more stable and streamlined process. Her efforts could address criticisms of his previous administration, where friends, family members, and informal advisers often competed with official staff for influence.

As Wiles prepares to take on the role, she faces the formidable task of maintaining Trump’s accessibility while also setting limits to preserve the integrity of the office. Whether her efforts to “keep the clown car people out” of the Oval Office will succeed remains to be seen, but her approach has already earned her praise from supporters who hope to see a more disciplined administration in Trump’s potential second term.