Trump Surprises with Historic Chief of Staff Appointment
President-elect Donald Trump has made a groundbreaking choice by naming Susie Wiles, a key architect of his successful 2024 campaign, as his White House Chief of Staff. This landmark appointment, as Trump prepares to return to the White House in January, establishes Wiles as the first woman to hold this influential position.
Wiles, who directed Trump’s campaigns in both 2016 and 2024, has been a loyal strategist in Trump’s political journey. Known for her sharp strategic skills and straightforward approach, she played a critical role in Trump’s recent victory over Democrats Tim Walz and Kamala Harris. Trump commended Wiles as a “tough, smart, innovative” leader who “will continue to work tirelessly to Make America Great Again.”
“Susie Wiles just helped me achieve one of the greatest political victories in American history,” Trump stated. “She was an integral part of both my 2016 and 2020 successful campaigns. Susie is tough, smart, innovative, and is universally admired and respected. Susie will continue to work tirelessly to Make America Great Again. It is a well-deserved honor to have Susie as the first-ever female Chief of Staff in United States history. I have no doubt that she will make our country proud.”
Recognized for her political instincts and skill in managing high-stakes scenarios, Wiles is expected to bring clear direction to the White House staff. Her selection also reflects Trump’s reliance on trusted advisors as he heads into what may be another turbulent term.
Wiles’s career in politics began in 1979 as a staff assistant for New York Congressman Jack Kemp. She quickly rose through the ranks, taking on significant roles during the Reagan administration, including Special Assistant to the President in the Executive Office (1981-1982) and Deputy Director of Scheduling during Reagan’s 1980 campaign. Between 1982 and 1983, she also served as Special Assistant to Secretary of Labor Raymond J. Donovan.
In the 1990s, Wiles became a pivotal figure in Florida politics. As Chief of Staff to Jacksonville Mayor John Delaney, she was instrumental in promoting initiatives for environmental and economic growth. Later, as Chief of Communications and Special Initiatives for Mayor John Peyton, she led projects such as the crime-reduction initiative, The Jacksonville Journey.
Wiles has managed numerous high-profile campaigns, cementing her reputation as a formidable campaign manager. She led Rick Scott’s winning gubernatorial campaign in Florida in 2010 and further strengthened her influence by co-chairing Trump’s 2016 Florida campaign, helping him secure the state. Her successful guidance also aided Ron DeSantis’s 2018 gubernatorial victory.