• President-elect Donald Trump’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles, directed nominees to avoid social media and public statements without approval to prevent missteps before Senate confirmations.
• The policy follows recent controversies, including a clash between Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, highlighting risks during the transition.
• High-profile nominees have complied, staying silent online as the administration braces for a contentious confirmation process.

President-elect Donald Trump’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles, reiterated Sunday that nominees must avoid posting on social media as Senate confirmation hearings approach. The directive, detailed in a Dec. 29 memo obtained by The Post, underlined the importance of maintaining discipline and avoiding public missteps ahead of the hearings set for next week.

Wiles Reiterates Strict Communication Guidelines

Wiles, the first female chief of staff in Trump’s inner circle, emphasized in her message that no nominee or transition team member speaks on behalf of the United States or the president-elect without prior approval. “While this instruction has been delivered previously, I am reiterating that no member of the incoming administration or Transition speaks for the United States or the President-elect himself,” she wrote. Furthermore, Wiles insisted that any public social media posts by nominees require prior clearance from the incoming White House counsel.

Reinforcing Guidelines Amid Political Tensions

This reminder comes amid a politically charged confirmation process, with several of Trump’s picks expected to face tough scrutiny in the Republican-controlled Senate. As a result, nominees have largely stayed silent on social media, showing adherence to the directive. A transition source told The Post that the memo was meant to reinforce guidelines, not to address any specific controversy.

Social Media Clash Highlights Risks

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However, the timing of the memo follows a social media clash involving Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, chairs of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), over H-1B visa policies. Their outspoken comments stirred backlash within Trump’s support base. Although DOGE is not an official agency and does not require Senate confirmation, the incident highlighted the risks of public statements during a sensitive transition period.

Cabinet Nominees Face Scrutiny

In recent weeks, several of Trump’s high-profile cabinet nominees, including former Democrats like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (Health and Human Services) and Tulsi Gabbard (Office of National Intelligence), have faced criticism but remained quiet online. Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth, however, drew significant attention for allegations of misconduct and heavy drinking. Despite initial skepticism from some Republican senators, Hegseth has since secured key backing, including that of Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), who expressed confidence following “encouraging conversations.”

Meanwhile, other nominees have encountered challenges behind closed doors. Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) withdrew from consideration for attorney general after a private Senate whip count revealed insufficient support for his confirmation. Yet, most nominees have pressed forward, holding private discussions with senators, including some Democrats, to build support.

Wiles Stresses Discretion During Critical Period

As nominees prepare for hearings, Wiles praised the administration’s enthusiasm but stressed the importance of discretion. “I appreciate how enthusiastic everyone is about joining the second Trump term,” she noted. Nonetheless, her directive remained firm, urging nominees to avoid potential missteps.

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The silence on social media marks a noticeable shift in tone as the transition team braces for what could be a contentious confirmation process. With just a narrow margin of votes in the Senate, Republicans cannot afford to lose more than three votes if Democrats unite against any nominee.

Final Preparations Ahead of Hearings

For now, Trump’s cabinet picks appear to be treading carefully, avoiding public controversies that could jeopardize their confirmations. The coming week will test whether this strategy pays off as the hearings unfold on Capitol Hill.

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