Larry Elder Recalls Stephen Miller’s Shift From Liberal Teen

In a column published on November 12, conservative commentator Larry Elder recalled meeting Stephen Miller when Miller was a student at Santa Monica High School. Elder said Miller contacted his radio show to object that the school did not require students to say the Pledge of Allegiance. Miller later appeared on the program 69 times, Elder wrote, and kept count of his appearances.

Elder said Miller described himself as a liberal when they first met, and credited Miller’s close friend and classmate Chris with persuading him to rethink his politics. Chris, now a lawyer, joked to Elder that he had “created a monster.” Elder also wrote that Miller’s parents told him they had once been liberals before their son changed their views.

Miller’s promotion to White House chief of staff was formally confirmed this week, replacing Susie Wiles after Republicans’ midterm losses. Elder wrote that Miller had effectively held the role for years. He also recalled Miller criticizing what he saw as pointless activity in Washington while working for then-Sen. Jeff Sessions.

Miller’s political evolution has drawn criticism from members of his extended family. His cousin Alisa Kasmer has publicly rejected him and his hardline immigration policies, and wrote that his extended family was not supportive of him. Jason Islas, who has said Miller ended their childhood friendship because of Islas’s Hispanic heritage, described Miller as a caretaker for an administration he considers near its end. Islas predicted Miller’s career would end with the administration.

Miller’s Rise Puts His Hardline Politics at the White House’s Center

Stephen Miller’s elevation to White House chief of staff puts a figure known for hardline immigration policies in a more powerful role, as Republicans face the aftermath of midterm losses. Conservative commentator Larry Elder’s account of Miller’s political evolution offers a personal history behind that rise.

Elder wrote on November 12 that he first encountered Miller as a Santa Monica high school student, when Miller called his radio show to protest the school’s failure to require the Pledge of Allegiance. Miller later appeared on the show 69 times. Elder said Miller was then a self-described liberal, before his friend and classmate Chris persuaded him to reconsider. Chris joked that he had “created a monster.”

Elder also wrote that Miller’s parents credited their son with changing their politics. That family support is not shared across the extended family: Miller’s cousin Alisa Kasmer has publicly rejected him and his hardline immigration policies, and said relatives on both sides were not supportive.

Jason Islas, who has said Miller ended their childhood friendship because of Islas’s Hispanic heritage, views the appointment as a temporary role in an administration nearing its end. Miller formally succeeded Susie Wiles this week, after Republicans’ midterm losses. The promotion highlights the continuing influence of a political figure whose positions have drawn sharp opposition from people who know him personally.

Elder’s Account Shows Miller’s Political Convictions Took Shape Early

Stephen Miller’s path from liberal teenager to White House chief of staff began, in Larry Elder’s telling, with a student willing to challenge his school over patriotism. Elder’s account emphasizes Miller’s early engagement with politics and the influence of a close friend who helped change his mind.

Writing on November 12, Elder recalled Miller contacting his radio show as a Santa Monica High School student to object that the school did not require the Pledge of Allegiance. Miller later appeared on the program 69 times and kept track of the total. Elder said Miller was then a self-described liberal, until his friend and classmate Chris persuaded him to reconsider his assumptions. Chris later joked that he had “created a monster.”

Elder said Miller’s parents also told him their son had moved them away from liberal views. He recalled Miller, while working for then-Sen. Jeff Sessions, questioning the value of some of Washington’s activity. Elder has written that Miller had effectively been serving as chief of staff for years; he formally assumed the position this week, replacing Susie Wiles after Republicans’ midterm losses.

Miller’s political transformation has been condemned by some relatives. His cousin Alisa Kasmer has disavowed him and his hardline immigration policies, while Jason Islas has said Miller ended their childhood friendship because of Islas’s Hispanic heritage. Islas sees Miller’s appointment as a caretaker role for an administration near its end. Their criticism stands in stark contrast to Elder’s portrait of a politically engaged young man whose convictions helped reshape his family.