Susie Wiles, who has led President-elect Trump's campaign for the past two years, will become chief of staff when the president takes office in January.
“Susie Wiles helped me achieve one of the greatest political victories in American history and was an integral part of my successful 2016 and 2020 campaigns,” President Trump said in a statement. said.
“Susie is tough, smart, innovative and admired and respected around the world. Susie will continue to work tirelessly to make America great again,” he added. “It is a well-deserved honor to appoint Susie as the first female Chief of Staff in U.S. history. I have no doubt that she will make our country proud.”
The chief of staff nomination was the first administration post announced by President Trump since securing the presidency early Wednesday morning.
Mr. Wiles is a widely respected Republican operative from Florida who has shunned the spotlight even though he co-led Mr. Trump's third White House campaign with Chris LaCivita. Ta. She navigated a predominantly male campaign without making any enemies, and Trump's supporters were quick to congratulate her on her role.
“This is great news. Susie was a great asset to President Trump on the campaign trail and will be a great asset to President Trump in the White House. She's also a really good person. Move forward!” Vice President-elect J.D. Vance Post on social platform X.
President Trump invited Wiles to speak in his victory speech Wednesday morning, but she declined, evidence of her tendency to shy away from the spotlight.
“We call her Ice Baby,” Trump joked. “Susie likes to be in the background. She's not in the background.”
Before serving as President Trump's top adviser for the 2024 election, Wiles led operations in Florida during the 2016 campaign. She continued to work with Republican Ron DeSantis on his Florida gubernatorial campaign, but left DeSantis' team amid rising tensions.
The chief of staff position is considered the most influential job in the White House outside of the presidency itself, and Wiles will be tasked with managing Trump and a team of sometimes competing factions. However, this task proved difficult and thankless during his first term.
President Trump has had four chiefs of staff during his first term. His first nominee, Reince Priebus, lasted six months before being replaced by John Kelly, who has become an outspoken critic of Trump.
Wiles is the daughter of former NFL broadcaster Pat Summerall.
Updated at 6:02pm ET.
