The 11th Hour with Stephanie Ruhle White House launches into damage control after Susie Wiles' Vanity Fair interview about Trump, Cabinet officials
Dec 17, 2025
Peter Baker, Chief White House correspondent for The New York Times, shares his insights on Susie Wiles’ revealing Vanity Fair interview that suggests tensions within Trump's administration. He discusses implications of her comments about cabinet dynamics. Retired Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling provides legal analysis on Trump's recent blockade of Venezuelan tankers, addressing international law and potential military actions. The conversation weaves through economic concerns as unemployment rates rise and the political fallout unfolds.
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ACA Vote Abandoned, Subsidies At Risk
- Republicans abandoned a planned House vote on ACA subsidies, risking expiration that will raise costs for many.
- Centrist GOP members are frustrated that leadership won't allow a vote that could aid their reelection messaging.
Jobs Gain Masks Rising Unemployment
- The November jobs report showed job additions but a rising unemployment rate to 4.6%, the highest since 2021.
- Justin Wolfers highlights that job creation under the current administration lags and raises recession concerns.
Revisions Paint Weaker Labor Market
- Gene Sperling notes that several recent months show job losses and revisions that weaken the labor market picture.
- Consumer sentiment hit historic lows on current conditions, signaling deep public pessimism.