Susie Wiles, a longtime Republican operative, will become President-elect Trump's White House chief of staff.
Although Mr. Wiles has largely avoided the spotlight, he is widely credited with running President Trump's most disciplined and well-executed campaign.
At his victory celebration in West Palm Beach, Florida, President Trump expressed special gratitude to Mr. Wiles for his prominent role in the campaign.
“I would also like to express a huge thank you to Susie.” [Wiles] and chris [LaCivita]About the work you did. Susie, come on, Susie,” he said. “Susie likes to be in the background, I'll tell you. Ice Baby. We call her Ice Baby. Susie likes to be in the background. She's in the background. not here.”
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Trump co-campaign manager Susie Wiles is seen at the Nashville International Airport in Nashville, Tennessee, ahead of former President Trump's arrival on July 27th. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
President Trump described Wiles as “tough, smart and innovative” and said she is “universally admired and respected.”
“I have no doubt that she will make our country proud,” he said, referring to her position as the first female chief of staff in U.S. history.
Veteran Republican strategist John Brabender told Fox News Digital: “There is no better choice in the world for White House chief of staff than Susie Wiles.”
Regarding Wiles, Brabender said, “You couldn't have asked for a better relationship with the president. He understands that she's there to help him in any way she can, and he respects that.'' I will,” he said.
“Susie has no agenda other than helping the president help people,” Brabender stressed. “Everyone who works for Susie in the White House will be vetted by Susie, which means there will only be the best.”
A longtime Florida-based Republican strategist who ran Trump's campaigns in the state in 2016 and 2020, Wiles' decades-long political career began when he ran former President Reagan's campaign for president in 1980. This goes back to when he worked as an employee.
Mr. Wiles also managed Rick Scott's 2010 Florida gubernatorial campaign and briefly served as former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman's 2012 presidential campaign manager.
President-elect Trump took to the stage with Susie Wiles at an election night watch party in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Wiles currently serves as a senior adviser to President Trump and co-chairs his campaign with Chris Lacivita.
Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who had previously been floated as a possible chief of staff candidate, recently said on “The Guy Benson Show” that he would not take the job if offered.
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“People always ask if I'm going to be chief of staff, and no, I won't be…that's no,” he said.
Fox News Digital’s Aishah Hasnie, Paul Steinhauser, Aubrie Spady and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
