Susie Wiles states her ‘rough’ disagreement with Ron DeSantis is behind her: ‘He’s a good governor’

Wills Comments on DeSantis and Political Drama

White House Chief of Staff Susie Wills discussed her past interactions with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, mentioning on the latest episode of “Pod Force One” that the tension is now behind her.

“He pretty much runs my home state, Florida. I think he’s a good governor. He’s been considering my views for a while, regardless of any personal differences or, well, my own shortcomings,” she said.

Wills also acknowledged the challenges she faced from DeSantis’ allies, noting that they “really tried to damage your career.” She has a background as a seasoned operative in Florida’s GOP, previously managing Senator Rick Scott’s successful 2010 gubernatorial campaign.

In his victory speech, DeSantis referred to Wills as “the best in business.” However, soon after, reports surfaced about issues between her and DeSantis’ camp, leading to her departure from lobbying firm Ballard Partners.

Some allies of DeSantis suspected Wills of being involved in the leaking of sensitive notes among his political team. DeSantis has publicly denied any wrongdoing related to these controversial notes.

As the 2020 campaign progressed, Wills returned to support Trump, particularly as polls indicated a competitive race against Joe Biden. Initially, she was an unpaid advisor for organizing the Republican National Convention that year, during which DeSantis was reportedly advising a key fundraiser to hold back on contributions.

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Wills gained recognition for helping Republican Glenn Youngkin secure a surprising victory in the 2021 Virginia gubernatorial race and provided continued support for Trump during the 2022 midterms and beyond.

Reflecting on DeSantis’ significant defeat in the 2024 Republican presidential primaries, Wills insisted, “It had nothing to do with me.” She emphasized that it was a presidential season and that candidates must perform well in crucial early states like Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina.

“The president had experience. He knew what was required. We had the structure and support for him, but honestly, we just didn’t finish strong,” she remarked.