A serious question is why anyone would take the job. Vice President Mike Pence’s chief of staff, Nick Ayers, turned it down despite being the favorite of daughter Ivanka Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner. Perhaps the 36-year-old Mr. Ayers concluded that even having that title on his résumé isn’t worth the grief he’d take externally and from the President. White House budget director Mick Mulvaney would be ideal, but he doesn’t want it either.

Mr. Trump has alienated so many people that he may not have the option of a strong outsider like Mr. Kelly or his former economic adviser Gary Cohn. He may have to settle for someone who operates from within the Trump-defined reality of Trump vs. the world but with enough competence to impose some order. Mr. Trump’s chaotic style is so outside management norms that we hesitate to suggest any names…

Oh, and Mr. Trump has only a few months to repair his standing with the public—especially suburban women and independents—to have a chance at re-election. Any volunteers?