On Thursday, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump announced that Susie Wiles, his campaign manager, will serve as his White House Chief of Staff, marking the first time a woman has held the role in U.S. history.
“Susie Wiles just helped me achieve one of the greatest political victories in American history and was a key part of both my 2016 and 2020 successful campaigns,” said Trump, 78, two days after his decisive win over Democrat Kamala Harris.
Describing Wiles as “tough, smart, innovative, and widely respected,” Trump called the appointment a “well-deserved honor” and a historic milestone. Wiles, 67, brings extensive experience and admiration to the role.
Susie Wiles, along with fellow campaign manager Chris LaCivita, is credited with orchestrating Donald Trump’s successful presidential bid. Trump even acknowledged Wiles during his victory speech on Wednesday, playfully referring to her as the “ice baby” and noting that “Susie likes to stay in the background.”
Vice President-elect JD Vance praised the announcement, calling it “great news.” He added that Wiles was a “huge asset” during the campaign and will continue to be invaluable in the White House, saying, “She’s also just a really good person.”
Who Is Susie Wiles?
Born on May 14, 1957, Susie Wiles is the daughter of Pat Summerall, the renowned football player and sportscaster.
A seasoned Florida-based political strategist, Susie Wiles began her career working on Ronald Reagan’s 1980 presidential campaign and later played a key role in securing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s victory in 2018.
Early on, Wiles also worked for Republican U.S. Representatives Jack Kemp and Tillie Fowler. She briefly managed former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman Jr.’s 2012 presidential campaign.
Wiles went on to serve as a senior adviser for Donald Trump’s presidential bids in both 2016 and 2020.
