Meet Susie Wiles, the ‘ice maiden’ behind Trump’s win - and his new chief of staff

In her Twitter/X profile, Susie Wiles is seen in a blouse and cardigan, complete with dangling earrings and a gold necklace, her gray hair impeccably styled. However, her charming "Golden Girl" appearance masks the demanding position she holds. Wiles is a significant figure in Republican politics, having managed Donald Trump's re-election campaign. During his victory speech in Florida yesterday, President-elect Trump mentioned her previously unfamiliar name seven times.

"I'd like to take a moment to give a huge shout-out to Susie and Chris for their hard work," Trump remarked. "Now, come on up, Susie. She tends to prefer hanging back, and we like to call her the ice maiden," he joked, before adding, "But she’s definitely not in the background anymore."

A relentless figure in the political arena, she has spent the last year aiming for total success. On Thursday night, Trump announced her as the new chief of staff at the White House.

The political newspaper The Hill referred to her as "the most influential Republican you probably haven't heard of," while The New York Times labeled her as "potentially the most important voice in Mr. Trump's third presidential campaign."

So, who is she, and what drives this 66-year-old grandmother who loves baking cakes and watching birds?

Wiles has been involved in Republican politics since the late 1970s. She served as a campaign scheduler for Ronald Reagan’s presidential campaign in 1980 and continued her work in his administration afterward. In her late twenties, she left her hometown in New Jersey and relocated to Jacksonville, Florida, with her then-husband, Lanny, who worked as an “advance man,” managing publicity for candidates during their campaigns.

After having their two daughters, Katie and Caroline, she paused her career to focus on raising them. However, she later returned to the political scene with great enthusiasm, ultimately managing Trump's operations in Florida during his initial presidential campaign. Many people believe that her efforts played a significant role in him winning the state by 1.2 percentage points against Hillary Clinton.

Instead of moving to the White House, Wiles decided to stay in Florida and directed her energy a couple of years later toward supporting Ron DeSantis, who was endorsed by Trump, in his bid to replace Rick Scott as governor. However, their relationship turned sour when DeSantis accused her of leaking information, and although she denied the allegations, many believe he played a role in her removal from the team. She officially resigned for health reasons in September 2019, but a friend of Wiles shared that she was feeling quite low at that time, saying she was “really down at that point – at the very bottom.” The decision to leave was a significant crisis for her.

However, in 2020, she received a call from Trump. He was looking to bring her back onto his team, and this time, he wanted her to lead it.

Wiles's father, Pat Summerall, was a professional football player who later became a prominent sports broadcaster. Peter Schorsch, the publisher of Florida Politics and a friend of Wiles for ten years, notes that Summerall reached tens of millions of viewers every Sunday with his broadcasts. Schorsch believes that Summerall's strong presence and ability to engage an audience influenced Wiles. Another friend and former colleague also suggested that Wiles's talent for connecting with people likely came from her father, while her kind demeanor is attributed to her mother, Katherine Jacobs, who was “a remarkable woman.”

Despite the positive moments, things weren't entirely smooth sailing. Summerall struggled with alcoholism, and after his divorce from Katherine, he became distant from Wiles and her two brothers, Jay and Kyle, for a period. Nevertheless, as she grew older, Wiles chose to keep the possibility of mending their relationship alive. Summerall recognized her role in ultimately supporting him on his journey to rehab for his addiction.

In 2017, Wiles and Lanny ended their relationship. Schorsch referred to it as a “low-key split between two well-known figures.” He believes this change allowed Wiles to dedicate herself more fully to her political ambitions in her sixties, letting her concentrate completely on whichever candidate she supports at the moment without any distractions.

Despite her gentle demeanor, she has earned a reputation for being tough and unyielding when it comes to her work. As a political strategist, "Susie doesn't mess around," says Schorsch. "There's really no other way to put it. It's not that she's harsh or unkind; rather, if you attempt to advance your own agenda dishonestly or engage in any kind of trickery, Susie will take you down herself." This might be a quality that her new supervisor appreciates.

Schorsch remembers a time when she was in charge of the DeSantis campaign, and a consultant they had hired decided to talk to the media despite being advised against it. "Susie quickly put a stop to that, and it took a long time for them to fix their relationship," she said.

I’m not suggesting she’s struck a pact with the devil, but she definitely understands what Trump is all about.

He mentions that she also has a warm, nurturing quality reminiscent of a southern grandmother. For instance, he points out that she knows the names of the volunteers who are dedicated to the campaign in distant counties, and she looks after her team. “She’s really skilled at giving family-oriented advice to her younger staff members.” He remembers a particular staffer who had recently become a parent, and she highlighted the need for him to take some time off. “She places great importance on ensuring that her team members are also taking care of their personal lives.”

Schorsch believes she would blend well with the formalities and theatrics typical of British politics. Unlike her superior, she seems to have a deep respect for the traditions and structure of the political system, all while being an astute strategist.

It was a clever move on “Team Trump” to bring Wiles on board for the campaign. They managed to channel all the chaos surrounding Trump, while incorporating what Schorsch refers to as a “well-organized strategy on the ground,” which appeared to be a key factor in helping Trump secure his win. Schorsch pointed out that Mar-a-Lago has become “considerably more organized since Susie took on the role of chief gatekeeper.”

Additionally, he believes that Wiles doesn't feel it's necessary to control Trump's most extreme behaviors. "It's a more practical approach of just letting Trump be himself. He speaks to his MAGA supporters in a certain way, but at the same time, he presents a favorable tax plan for billionaires, which they appreciate. I wouldn't go so far as to say she's struck a deal with the devil, but she understands Trump's agenda very well."

Her skill in simultaneously considering multiple perspectives and her keen sense of understanding people's needs make her a clever strategist. John Delaney brought Wiles on board during his successful 1995 campaign for mayor of Jacksonville, and following that victory, she took on the role of his chief of staff.

"After four weeks into the campaign, she really changed the way people were thinking and the messages being communicated," he explains. She also has some qualities reminiscent of Trump, particularly when it comes to her knack for engaging with audiences and providing exactly what they desire. "She is an exceptionally talented political strategist with an amazing sense of what resonates with the public and what ideas are likely to succeed," Delaney remarks.

Delaney mentions that Wiles is dedicated to assisting the individuals she collaborates with in achieving their objectives, even when their political views don't always align. "She is humble and prefers to work out of the spotlight," Delaney notes. However, even though friends and colleagues are open to discussing her skills and the challenges she handles, she still maintains an air of mystery and keeps her private life closely protected. Even those within the Trump campaign are hesitant to share their thoughts about her.

When it comes to working with Trump, Wiles may not always see eye to eye with him on how he expresses himself, his word choices, or his views on certain issues. However, Delaney points out that politics often boils down to what voters are willing to overlook in one candidate compared to another. In this sense, she resembles voters who, while they may have been hesitant or uneasy, still cast their ballots—committed Republicans who might not have been thrilled with their choice but ultimately decided to support him.

Delaney questions whether Wiles’ political views consistently align with Trump’s. “I see her as leaning towards the left on LGBT+ matters. I find it hard to believe that she would instinctively share Donald Trump's views on immigration, but that’s just my speculation."

Delaney shares Schorsch's views, stating that beyond her political life, Wiles is genuinely kind-hearted and caring. "If she lived nearby and you were unwell, she would definitely bring you a homemade dish," he points out. "If you required an electrician to get into your home, she would find a way to arrange that. And if you were in the hospital, she would come by to see you and would send you flowers. She truly is a lovely person."

While at home, Wiles mentions that she loves to take care of her garden and has a passion for cooking. She is also recognized as a keen birdwatcher; however, a friend of hers remarked, "I don't think she's had much time for birdwatching lately."

"Delaney mentions that she really loves her daughters and grandkids. She isn’t extravagant or into luxurious hotels, and as a dedicated Episcopalian, she attends church every Sunday and prays often."

Nate Monroe, a writer for the Florida Times-Union who has been familiar with Wiles as a journalist for ten years, mentions that some of her detractors argue that her charming and friendly personality hides a highly strategic and aggressive nature. While she is widely respected, she is also regarded with apprehension. Many see her as someone who can be quite formidable if opposed.

In January, Monroe wrote a harsh editorial criticizing DeSantis for his presidential run, highlighting personal characteristics that make him prone to "opt for cruelty instead of kindness, use coded language instead of showing empathy, and favor division over grace." To drive the point home, Monroe also noted: “Who did Trump mention during his victory speech [in Iowa]? That small figure lingering on the edge of his group on stage? Susie Wiles, the adviser DeSantis pushed away, is now one of Trump’s closest allies. Whoops.”

Monroe believes that those who know Wiles understood that by pushing her out of his tight-knit group and embarrassing her along the way, DeSantis was setting himself up for trouble down the line. He also mentions that Wiles has an almost innate aversion to drama, which might seem odd or even funny given the nature of her employer. However, Monroe offers a different perspective. It could be that Wiles is the perfect match for the job, providing Donald Trump with a composed and reliable presence.