The 'team of vipers' returns
Cliff Sims has returned with an incisive exploration of the fierce rivalries within the Trump administration, building on his reputation for capturing the drama of political conflict. This time, he's ready to reveal even more behind-the-scenes dynamics.
TroibNews 
Cliff Sims, who previously coined the term "Team of Vipers" to describe the cutthroat nature of Donald Trump's inner circle in his 2019 tell-all, is once again navigating the complex dynamics of power. As an important figure in the Trump transition, Sims has recently found himself at the center of a whisper campaign at Mar-a-Lago, driven by concerns over leaks emerging from the transition team. Some MAGA insiders questioned why Sims, who had depicted the Trump White House as a site of backstabbing and infighting, was closely associated with transition co-chair Howard Lutnick.
This situation escalated when Donald Trump, who had only given Sims a vague acknowledgment during transition meetings, requested more information about him. Upon receiving a folder containing articles about Sims and his book, Trump reportedly reacted with anger, demanding Sims' removal from the transition team.
Despite this confrontation, Sims remains employed and may even be in contention for a prominent position within the administration.
In response to the incident, the Trump transition issued statements in favor of Sims from key figures within Trump's circle. Vice President-elect JD Vance asserted, “The people lying about Cliff leaking are the real leakers and the enemies of President Trump and the American people.” Donald Trump Jr. emphasized, “No one in the process has been more responsible with sensitive information than Cliff.” Lutnick stated, “Cliff Sims continues to play an important role in building the greatest Transition in American history.” Susie Wiles, Trump’s top political adviser, added, “He’s doing a terrific job and has my total trust and confidence. Anyone claiming otherwise is simply not in the loop.”
Sims chose not to comment, but an associate of his contested the account regarding the folder and denied any involvement in leaking information.
This episode highlights a stark shift from the initially disciplined campaign approach to a more chaotic phase as those close to Trump vie for influence and positions of power. Serving as an aide to Lutnick, who has faced scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest, Sims has played a crucial role in staffing the White House. He has maintained a close working relationship with CIA Director-designate John Ratcliffe, having previously served as Ratcliffe's top deputy for communications and strategy during his tenure as director of national intelligence in 2020.
Some Trump insiders expressed confusion over Sims' high-profile role, considering his past disclosures in his book and how Trump had publicly criticized him over it. There were concerns about potential repercussions for Lutnick, who is lobbying for the position of Treasury secretary.
However, Sims has successfully reestablished connections within the MAGA community, keeping ties with key figures like Donald Trump Jr. He coordinated speechwriting for the GOP conventions in both 2020 and 2024 and provided advice during Vance's campaign this year.
It's unclear whether Trump officially approved Sims’ prominent position, particularly after Sims had previously sued Trump in 2019 due to attempts to enforce a nondisclosure agreement.
Nevertheless, the recent outpouring of support indicates that Sims has mastered the art of navigating the complex landscape surrounding Trump. Reports suggest that he is positioning himself for a significant promotion, with two Trump insiders revealing that he is aiming to be appointed as deputy CIA director under Ratcliffe. Ratcliffe himself expressed his desire for Sims to join his team, stating, “If I'm fortunate enough to be confirmed again by the Senate, I'd love to have him working for me again in any number of roles.”
If things don't unfold as planned, Sims might still find inspiration for a sequel to his earlier book.
Camille Lefevre for TROIB News
This situation escalated when Donald Trump, who had only given Sims a vague acknowledgment during transition meetings, requested more information about him. Upon receiving a folder containing articles about Sims and his book, Trump reportedly reacted with anger, demanding Sims' removal from the transition team.
Despite this confrontation, Sims remains employed and may even be in contention for a prominent position within the administration.
In response to the incident, the Trump transition issued statements in favor of Sims from key figures within Trump's circle. Vice President-elect JD Vance asserted, “The people lying about Cliff leaking are the real leakers and the enemies of President Trump and the American people.” Donald Trump Jr. emphasized, “No one in the process has been more responsible with sensitive information than Cliff.” Lutnick stated, “Cliff Sims continues to play an important role in building the greatest Transition in American history.” Susie Wiles, Trump’s top political adviser, added, “He’s doing a terrific job and has my total trust and confidence. Anyone claiming otherwise is simply not in the loop.”
Sims chose not to comment, but an associate of his contested the account regarding the folder and denied any involvement in leaking information.
This episode highlights a stark shift from the initially disciplined campaign approach to a more chaotic phase as those close to Trump vie for influence and positions of power. Serving as an aide to Lutnick, who has faced scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest, Sims has played a crucial role in staffing the White House. He has maintained a close working relationship with CIA Director-designate John Ratcliffe, having previously served as Ratcliffe's top deputy for communications and strategy during his tenure as director of national intelligence in 2020.
Some Trump insiders expressed confusion over Sims' high-profile role, considering his past disclosures in his book and how Trump had publicly criticized him over it. There were concerns about potential repercussions for Lutnick, who is lobbying for the position of Treasury secretary.
However, Sims has successfully reestablished connections within the MAGA community, keeping ties with key figures like Donald Trump Jr. He coordinated speechwriting for the GOP conventions in both 2020 and 2024 and provided advice during Vance's campaign this year.
It's unclear whether Trump officially approved Sims’ prominent position, particularly after Sims had previously sued Trump in 2019 due to attempts to enforce a nondisclosure agreement.
Nevertheless, the recent outpouring of support indicates that Sims has mastered the art of navigating the complex landscape surrounding Trump. Reports suggest that he is positioning himself for a significant promotion, with two Trump insiders revealing that he is aiming to be appointed as deputy CIA director under Ratcliffe. Ratcliffe himself expressed his desire for Sims to join his team, stating, “If I'm fortunate enough to be confirmed again by the Senate, I'd love to have him working for me again in any number of roles.”
If things don't unfold as planned, Sims might still find inspiration for a sequel to his earlier book.
Camille Lefevre for TROIB News
