Updated Nov 7, 2024 - Politics & Policy

Trump appoints Susie Wiles as White House chief of staff

Trump shakes Susie Wiles' hand — President-elect Trump praises campaign manager Susie Wiles during an election night event at the Palm Beach Convention Center on Nov. 6 in West Palm Beach, Florida. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

President-elect Trump tapped Susie Wiles, his co-campaign manager, as his White House chief of staff and the first woman to serve in the role on Thursday.

Why it matters: Wiles was key to Trump's reelection campaign, viewed as the person responsible for helping keep his bid for the White House more disciplined.

"Susie Wiles just helped me achieve one of the greatest political victories in American history, and was an integral part of both my 2016 and 2020 successful campaigns," Trump said in a statement.

Reality check: Trump veered from Wiles' efforts to keep him restrained, often making incendiary rhetoric on the trail, but she sought to bring discipline to the operation.

"Susie is tough, smart, innovative, and is universally admired and respected," Trump said on Thursday. "Susie will continue to work tirelessly to Make America Great Again."

Context: Wiles helped get Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) elected in November 2018. He later shunned her and tried to blackball her across Republican politics, the New York Times reported.

She led Trump's Florida operations during his 2016 and 2020 campaigns.
Trump temporarily severed ties with Wiles in 2019 at DeSantis' urging, Politico reported.
Wiles last worked in D.C. decades ago in former President Reagan's Labor Department, his White House as a scheduler and on Capitol Hill for the late Rep. Jack Kemp, (R-N.Y.), per Politico.

Between the lines: Wiles made few media or public appearances during Trump's campaign, per NPR.

On election night, Trump praised her during his speech. "Susie likes to stay sort of in the back, let me tell you," he said. "The Ice Maiden. We call her the Ice Maiden."

Flashback: Trump had four chiefs of staff during his first term: former Republican National Committee Chair Reince Priebus, Gen. John Kelly, former South Carolina Rep. Mick Mulvaney and former North Carolina Rep. Mark Meadows.

Kelly was regarded as instilling discipline and "bringing more order to a chaotic White House," per the Chief of Staff Association.
The other three took more hands-off approaches, the association said.
"President Trump has made an excellent choice in Susie Wiles," Meadows said on X. "She will do a tremendous job in leading the team and helping deliver on the America First agenda."

Go deeper: Trump's next Situation Room

Editor's note: This article has been updated with further comment from Trump and more context.

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Trump appoints Susie Wiles as White House chief of staff

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