Susie Wiles Isn’t Going Anywhere

Plus: How the Seinfeld Pilot Was Written–and Rewritten

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October 19, 2026

Imagine: If Hollywood had its way, Seinfeld might have ended up being a show about something. Today, VF brings you an amusing excerpt from a new biography called Emperor of Nothing: The Making of Larry David, which chronicles how David and Jerry Seinfeld wrote the pilot for their now classic sitcom—and how they made the show they wanted despite the meddling of folks who were determined to make David and Seinfeld’s prickly creation more like a regular sitcom. Before changing the subject, here are two more things about this excerpt. One: In the ’80s, Jerry Seinfeld was apparently really into Bikram yoga. Two: Look at the image illustrating this story. You might think it was shot a few days ago, but in fact, it’s from 1998. Larry David, please give us your skin care routine! Elsewhere, Nate Freeman reports from the British Museum Ball, while Chris Whipple says reports of Susie Wiles’s imminent firing are greatly exaggerated. (And Chris Whipple would know.) More tomorrow!

HILLARY BUSIS FEATURES EDITOR

Larry David on the True Story of How the Seinfeld Pilot Was Written—and Rewritten: “They Just Kept Making It Worse”   By Blake J. Harris

In an exclusive excerpt from the new biography, Emperor of Nothing: The Making of Larry David, the comedian and his writing partner, Jerry Seinfeld, look back on their days as Bikram yoga practicing roommates, and how their famed sitcom came to be. Read more

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SCENE REPORT   Benedict Cumberbatch, Jude Law, and More Celebrate at the British Museum Ball   By Nate Freeman   Artist Es Devlin transformed the Queen Elizabeth II Great Court for the second annual event, which brought more than 850 figures from the worlds of art, fashion, film, and British society to Bloomsbury. Read more

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Why Susie Wiles Is Still Standing as Trump’s White House Careens Toward the 2026 Midterm Elections   By Chris Whipple   A veteran West Wing chronicler says the White House chief of staff is in for the long haul. Read more

Susie Wiles, JD Vance, and the “Junkyard Dogs”: The White House Chief of Staff on Trump’s Second Term (Part 1 of 2) Throughout the first year of Donald Trump’s second administration, Vanity Fair writer Chris Whipple has interviewed Wiles amid each moment of crisis. This insider’s account joins a portfolio of portraits for an unflinching, up-close look at power—and peril. Read more.

Susie Wiles Talks Epstein Files, Pete Hegseth’s War Tactics, Retribution, and More (Part 2 of 2) Trump’s chief reveals her thoughts on the first year, and on the team she’s built with JD Vance, Karoline Leavitt, Marco Rubio, and three more key players. Vanity Fair writer Chris Whipple reports. Read more.

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