Put down your phones. As Senate confirmation hearings for President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet nominees draw closer, incoming White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has issued a clear directive: no public social media activity without prior approval. In a memo distributed to nominees on December 29, Wiles emphasized the importance of maintaining strict communication discipline during this critical period.
“While this instruction has been communicated before, I am reiterating that no member of the incoming administration or Transition speaks for the United States or the President-elect himself,” Wiles stated in the memo, according to The New York Post. She clarified that any planned public posts must first be reviewed and approved by the incoming White House counsel to ensure consistency with the administration’s messaging strategy.
Known for her disciplined and assertive leadership style, Wiles acknowledged the enthusiasm surrounding the transition but stressed the need for focus and caution. Her directive arrives as nominees brace for what is expected to be a challenging and highly scrutinized confirmation process in the Senate, where Republicans hold only a narrow majority.
The memo is viewed as a proactive measure rather than a response to any particular incident. However, recent social media controversies involving high-profile figures in Trump’s orbit—notably Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy—have amplified discussions about communication discipline within the transition team. Still, sources close to Trump’s team explained that Musk and Ramaswamy, while influential, are not subject to Senate confirmation and, therefore, fall outside the scope of Wiles’ guidelines.
Top nominees, including Defense Secretary-designate Pete Hegseth and Health and Human Services pick Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have largely refrained from public social media activity since receiving the nods for some of the top positions in the upcoming cabinet. Both will undoubtedly face intense questioning during their confirmation hearings, with Hegseth already contending with allegations related to past conduct and Kennedy encountering skepticism over his policy views.
Behind the scenes, Trump’s cabinet picks have been actively meeting with senators from both parties to solidify support, especially the future FBI director, Kash Patel. With confirmation hearings set to begin next week, the administration’s approach is clear: maintain tight message control, avoid unnecessary distractions, and navigate the process with precision.
As the hearings unfold, attention will focus on whether Wiles’ directive succeeds in keeping the administration’s narrative consistent amid what is expected to be a highly charged and politically sensitive environment.
