White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller spent much of his workday engaged in a heated social media exchange with former Obama speechwriter Jon Favreau.
The dispute began when Favreau, 44, reacted to a post by Miller criticizing Democrats for not standing during President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday. Miller wrote, “Democrats declared to the world their searing disdain for, and profound disloyalty to, the actual citizens of the United States. They were repeatedly entreated to stand. Over and over. They refused. It was a moment that chills to the bone and which will live for a thousand years.”
Favreau shared the comment, adding, “Genuinely so funny how hard they're trying to make this a thing.” Miller responded sharply: “Democrats leapt, clapped, hollered, and cheered for raising taxes, but their legs, hands, and voices froze in icy contempt as they glowered at the parents of slain children. Democrats vowed allegiance to invaders over citizens, and this top Dem finds their deadly betrayal hilarious.”
The PodSaveAmerica host fired back: “No, I find you hilarious. And I genuinely hope the boss lets you drive the midterm strategy and brings more of your Victorian asylum patient energy into his speeches.”
The exchange escalated further, with Miller calling Favreau a “sociopath” and claiming he had repeatedly failed to show empathy for American families whose children were victims of crimes committed by immigrants. “He finds the topic 'hilarious.' Jon, one more time: do you grieve for these families?” he asked. Favreau replied, stating that he did have “sympathy for yours,” a comment that visibly enraged Miller, who retorted, “And there you have it. Jon, a top Democrat strategist, says he feels no sympathy for the American families whose loved ones were raped, tortured, and murdered by foreign invaders. He finds comedy in their agony. Sick doesn’t even begin to describe it. His soul is broken.”
Favreau ended the confrontation by urging Miller to act on his federal authority: “We can keep playing dumb Twitter games, but you're a government official with the power to free countless American families and children who are suffering in the squalid detention centers where you've illegally jailed them. Why don't you?”
The clash comes amid reports that President Trump may be sidelining Miller due to controversial decisions on immigration policy. Sources suggest Trump has grown increasingly uncomfortable with Miller’s approach as public approval dips, while business leaders have reportedly expressed frustration over the removal of long-term employees from the country.
Tensions escalated after ICE agents in Minnesota fatally shot U.S. citizens Alex Pretti and Renee Good, sparking nationwide protests. Miller, often described as the architect of Trump’s immigration policy, defended the shooting on social media, labeling Pretti, an ICU nurse, a “would-be assassin” who “tried to murder federal agents.” When reporters asked Trump whether he believed Pretti was an assassin, he said “no,” signaling a potential rift between the president and his senior aide.
