19 Days Out: Trump Turns on Susie Wiles as the Midterm Scapegoat Hunt Begins

On today's podcast, Chris Cillizza and Matt discuss: — Is Trump looking to replace Chief of Staff Susie Wiles (per Politico Playbook) just 19 days before the midterms? — Why Wiles was the perfect non-traditional chief for Trump (mother figure, not James Baker) and why he still wants a new character for the next season — Top potential scapegoats if Republicans lose: John Thune, Pete Hegseth, Ken Paxton, Wiles, and more — New press secretary Katie Zacharia’s rough first briefing, and how the job has shifted under Trump — Trump’s aggressive midterm barnstorming and repeated “pretend I’m on the ballot” line — smart base play or self-own at record-low approval? — Trump in the twilight: aging, lame-duck status, better as outsider than governing, and the walnut-tree effect on the GOP bench — Democrats letting a thousand flowers bloom vs. Republican top-down control and the thin post-Trump pipeline — Mike Johnson’s decision to stay on as Speaker or Minority Leader (no matter what happens in the midterms) — Matt’s Senate races to watch: Texas and Kansas — And MUCH more! Make sure to check us out again next week!Subscribe to Matt Lewis on Substack: https://mattklewis.substack.com/Support Matt Lewis at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewis Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattlewisreels/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A – Who is Matt Lewis? –Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians. Buy Matt's books: FILTHY RICH POLITICIANS: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416TOO DUMB TO FAIL: https://www.amazon.com/Too-Dumb-Fail-Revolution-Conservative/dp/0316383937 Copyright © 2026, BBL & BWL, LLC