Donald Trump Selects Susie Wiles for Chief of Staff Role
With extensive experience in Florida politics, Wiles led Trump’s campaign to a successful victory in the state during the 2016 election.
TroibNews 
President-elect Donald Trump has appointed senior campaign adviser Susie Wiles as his White House chief of staff, marking the choice of one of his most trusted political confidants for the position.
Wiles, who played a significant role as one of Trump’s two campaign managers for the 2024 election, will be the first woman to serve in the chief of staff role. Her leadership has been credited with the professionalization of the recent Trump campaign.
“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 stated. “Susie is tough, smart, innovative, and is universally admired and respected. Susie will continue to work tirelessly to Make America Great Again.”
Trump described Wiles' appointment as a “well-deserved honor,” recognizing her as the nation’s first female chief of staff to the president.
This position does not require Senate confirmation.
A seasoned figure in Florida politics, Wiles guided Trump to victory in Florida in 2016. She was also instrumental in Ron DeSantis’ 2018 gubernatorial campaign, but had a falling out that led DeSantis to advocate for her dismissal from the 2020 Trump campaign in 2019. However, her exit was short-lived as she was quickly reinstated to lead Trump’s campaign efforts in Florida.
Following a political downturn in 2021, when Trump faced widespread backlash for his role in the January 6th insurrection and his loss to President Joe Biden, he brought Wiles back on board to assist in his unexpected comeback.
Wiles, a soft-spoken grandmother with sharp political acumen, has earned the trust and respect of both Trump and his family, as well as the loyalty of his staff. She has demonstrated her ability to navigate the former president’s unpredictable temperament.
During Trump's third presidential campaign, Wiles successfully minimized internal conflicts and drama, which had previously plagued both of his prior runs and his time in office.
Chris LaCivita, co-manager of Trump's campaign, remarked that Wiles is "loyal and honest as the day is long, who conducts herself with a large degree of humility. All characteristics that that define a good leader, a great leader."
"She never hesitated about talking to him about the tough things, or assembling the right people to talk to him about the right things,” LaCivita added.
In her new role, Wiles is expected to maintain a streamlined operation within the White House, managing competing factions within Trump’s inner circle while also navigating new outside influences like Elon Musk and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. vying for influence alongside established D.C. Republican figures.
As speculation grew regarding Trump’s choice for chief of staff, aides within the campaign were united in their belief that Wiles would be the ideal candidate, should she choose to accept the role. Prominent MAGA figures, including Charlie Kirk of Turning Point USA and Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, publicly endorsed her nomination earlier on Thursday.
Trump's announcement followed former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s statement on CBS, where he expressed a preference to support Trump from outside the administration rather than seek a position within it. Former Trump administration official Brooke Rollins was also considered for the role after leading the America First Policy Institute in recent years.
The chief of staff is historically the first appointment made by a president-elect and is responsible for managing policy and daily operations within the White House. During his first term, Trump cycled through four chiefs of staff—Reince Priebus, Gen. John Kelly, Mick Mulvaney, and Mark Meadows—who faced the challenges of internal strife and upheaval that characterized his presidency.
Despite having limited experience in the nation’s capital, Wiles will act as the White House's liaison to the many executive branch agencies and to Congress. Her last significant presence in Washington came during her tenure in the Reagan administration, where she worked at the Labor Department and later as a scheduler at the White House, along with time spent on Capitol Hill for the late Rep. Jack Kemp.
After exiting Washington, Wiles settled in Florida, where she managed a public affairs firm and earned a reputation as a leading political consultant. She successfully orchestrated Rick Scott’s improbable campaign for governor in 2010 and later contributed to Jon Huntsman Jr.'s and Mitt Romney's presidential bids.
Although Wiles is the daughter of renowned NFL sportscaster Pat Summerall, she prefers to stay out of the limelight. During Trump’s victory speech on Wednesday morning in West Palm Beach, he affectionately referred to her as “Ice Baby” and invited her to speak, but she chose to decline.
Mark B Thomas contributed to this report for TROIB News
Wiles, who played a significant role as one of Trump’s two campaign managers for the 2024 election, will be the first woman to serve in the chief of staff role. Her leadership has been credited with the professionalization of the recent Trump campaign.
“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 stated. “Susie is tough, smart, innovative, and is universally admired and respected. Susie will continue to work tirelessly to Make America Great Again.”
Trump described Wiles' appointment as a “well-deserved honor,” recognizing her as the nation’s first female chief of staff to the president.
This position does not require Senate confirmation.
A seasoned figure in Florida politics, Wiles guided Trump to victory in Florida in 2016. She was also instrumental in Ron DeSantis’ 2018 gubernatorial campaign, but had a falling out that led DeSantis to advocate for her dismissal from the 2020 Trump campaign in 2019. However, her exit was short-lived as she was quickly reinstated to lead Trump’s campaign efforts in Florida.
Following a political downturn in 2021, when Trump faced widespread backlash for his role in the January 6th insurrection and his loss to President Joe Biden, he brought Wiles back on board to assist in his unexpected comeback.
Wiles, a soft-spoken grandmother with sharp political acumen, has earned the trust and respect of both Trump and his family, as well as the loyalty of his staff. She has demonstrated her ability to navigate the former president’s unpredictable temperament.
During Trump's third presidential campaign, Wiles successfully minimized internal conflicts and drama, which had previously plagued both of his prior runs and his time in office.
Chris LaCivita, co-manager of Trump's campaign, remarked that Wiles is "loyal and honest as the day is long, who conducts herself with a large degree of humility. All characteristics that that define a good leader, a great leader."
"She never hesitated about talking to him about the tough things, or assembling the right people to talk to him about the right things,” LaCivita added.
In her new role, Wiles is expected to maintain a streamlined operation within the White House, managing competing factions within Trump’s inner circle while also navigating new outside influences like Elon Musk and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. vying for influence alongside established D.C. Republican figures.
As speculation grew regarding Trump’s choice for chief of staff, aides within the campaign were united in their belief that Wiles would be the ideal candidate, should she choose to accept the role. Prominent MAGA figures, including Charlie Kirk of Turning Point USA and Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, publicly endorsed her nomination earlier on Thursday.
Trump's announcement followed former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s statement on CBS, where he expressed a preference to support Trump from outside the administration rather than seek a position within it. Former Trump administration official Brooke Rollins was also considered for the role after leading the America First Policy Institute in recent years.
The chief of staff is historically the first appointment made by a president-elect and is responsible for managing policy and daily operations within the White House. During his first term, Trump cycled through four chiefs of staff—Reince Priebus, Gen. John Kelly, Mick Mulvaney, and Mark Meadows—who faced the challenges of internal strife and upheaval that characterized his presidency.
Despite having limited experience in the nation’s capital, Wiles will act as the White House's liaison to the many executive branch agencies and to Congress. Her last significant presence in Washington came during her tenure in the Reagan administration, where she worked at the Labor Department and later as a scheduler at the White House, along with time spent on Capitol Hill for the late Rep. Jack Kemp.
After exiting Washington, Wiles settled in Florida, where she managed a public affairs firm and earned a reputation as a leading political consultant. She successfully orchestrated Rick Scott’s improbable campaign for governor in 2010 and later contributed to Jon Huntsman Jr.'s and Mitt Romney's presidential bids.
Although Wiles is the daughter of renowned NFL sportscaster Pat Summerall, she prefers to stay out of the limelight. During Trump’s victory speech on Wednesday morning in West Palm Beach, he affectionately referred to her as “Ice Baby” and invited her to speak, but she chose to decline.
Mark B Thomas contributed to this report for TROIB News
