President-elect Donald Trump announced late Thursday that his campaign co-chair, Susie Wiles, will serve as his White House Chief of Staff starting in January, making her the first woman ever to hold the position.
“Susie Wiles just helped me achieve one of the greatest political victories in American history, and was an integral part of both my 2016 and 2020 successful campaigns,” Trump said in a statement. “Susie is tough, smart, innovative, and is universally admired and respected. Susie will continue to work tirelessly to Make America Great Again. It is a well deserved honor to have Susie as the first-ever female chief of staff in United States history. I have no doubt that she will make our country proud.”
Wiles is recognized as a skilled political strategist who prefers staying out of the spotlight rather than seeking attention. Although Trump asked her to speak when he declared victory early Wednesday morning, she chose to remain behind the scenes.
Throughout 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 surrounding him.
“Susie Wiles is a tremendous advocate for DJT and a great boss,” one Trump adviser said. “She knows how to bring people together.”
Wiles previously worked with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, playing a key role in securing his gubernatorial victory. However, after her relationship with DeSantis deteriorated, she aligned herself with Trump World, where she played a crucial part in helping Trump defeat DeSantis in the Republican primaries.
Wiles, now 67, is the daughter of the late Pat Summerall, a renowned 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 position is demanding, requiring management of the president, senior White House staff, and the numerous people in the West Wing. It also entails overseeing the president’s policy goals, ambitions, and legacy.
Trump had four chiefs of staff during his first term, and he parted ways with some under contentious circumstances. His longest-serving chief of staff, John Kelly, described Trump as fitting the definition of a fascist and warned against a second Trump term. Reince Priebus, Mark Meadows, and Mick Mulvaney, who only served as acting chief of staff, also held the position during his first term.