President-elect Donald Trump announced late on Thursday that his campaign co-chair, Susie Wiles, will take up the role of White House Chief of Staff in January, making her the first woman ever to hold this position.
“Susie Wiles has just helped me secure one of the most significant political victories in American history and was a key part of my successful 2016 and 2020 campaigns,” Trump stated. “Susie is tough, intelligent, innovative, and widely admired and respected. She will continue working tirelessly to Make America Great Again. It is a well-deserved honour to have Susie as the first female Chief of Staff in United States history. I am confident she will make our country proud.”
Wiles is recognised as a skilled political strategist who prefers staying out of the limelight rather than seeking attention. Although Trump invited her to speak when he declared victory early on Wednesday morning, she chose to remain behind the scenes.
During her time in a high-profile role within the campaign, Wiles has not only earned but successfully maintained Trump’s trust, expertly managing the ambitions, personalities, and egos around him.
“Susie Wiles is a tremendous advocate for DJT and a great boss,” one Trump adviser commented. “She knows how to bring people together.”
Wiles previously worked with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, playing a pivotal role in securing his gubernatorial victory. However, after her relationship with DeSantis soured, she aligned herself with Trump’s team, where she played a crucial role in helping Trump defeat DeSantis in the Republican primaries.
Now 67, Wiles is the daughter of the late Pat Summerall, a celebrated sports broadcaster. With four decades of experience in behind-the-scenes roles shaping Florida politics, she is a seasoned political strategist.
The Chief of Staff role is demanding, requiring the management of the president, senior White House staff, and numerous individuals in the West Wing. It also involves overseeing the president’s policy goals, ambitions, and legacy.
Trump had four Chiefs of Staff during his first term, parting with some under contentious circumstances. His longest-serving Chief of Staff, John Kelly, described Trump as fitting the definition of a fascist and cautioned against a second Trump term. Reince Priebus, Mark Meadows, and Mick Mulvaney, who served only in an acting capacity, also held the role during his first term.