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

On her Twitter/X profile, Susie Wiles is seen wearing a blouse and cardigan, along with dangling earrings and a gold necklace, her grey hair styled impeccably. However, her "Golden Girl," grandmotherly appearance masks a much more demanding role. Wiles is a significant figure in Republican politics; she managed Donald Trump's re-election campaign and has now been appointed as his new chief of staff.

In his remarks on Thursday night, Trump stated that Wiles "played a significant role in helping me secure one of the greatest political wins in American history" and described him as "strong, intelligent, inventive, and widely respected and admired."

"It’s a fitting recognition to have Susie as the first woman to hold the position of chief of staff in the history of the United States," he remarked. "I'm confident that she will bring pride to our nation."

Wiles, who is 67 years old, has made history as the first woman to be named White House chief of staff. During his victory speech in Florida, President-elect Donald Trump referred to her by name seven times, highlighting her newfound prominence.

"I want to take a moment to give a huge shoutout to Susie and Chris for their amazing work. Now, come on up here, Susie," Trump said. "She usually prefers to hang back and stay out of the spotlight. We jokingly refer to her as the 'ice maiden,'" he added with a laugh. "But she’s definitely not in the background anymore."

Over the past year, she has been a fierce political strategist, determined to achieve total success. On Thursday night, Trump announced that he would appoint her as his new chief of staff in the White House.

The Hill, a political publication, referred to her as “the most influential Republican you’re unaware of.” Meanwhile, The New York Times noted that she might be “the most important voice in Mr. Trump’s third run for the presidency.”

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

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

After the couple welcomed their two daughters, Katie and Caroline, she took a break to focus on raising them. However, she later jumped back into her career with great enthusiasm, ultimately managing Trump's campaign operations in Florida during his initial run for the presidency. Many believe that her efforts played a crucial role in him securing the state, where he won by a narrow margin of 1.2 percentage points against Hillary Clinton.

Wiles decided to remain in Florida rather than move to the White House. A couple of years later, she concentrated on supporting Ron DeSantis, who was handpicked by Trump, in his campaign to follow Rick Scott as governor. However, their partnership deteriorated, as DeSantis held her responsible for leaks, and despite her denials, many suspect he influenced her removal from the team. Although she officially resigned for health reasons in September 2019, a friend of Wiles shared that she was feeling very low at that time, describing her as being “at the very bottom.” The decision to leave was a significant crisis for her.

However, in 2020, she received a phone call from Trump. He was looking to bring her back to his team, and on top of that, he wanted her to take the lead.

Wiles’s dad, Pat Summerall, played professional football before becoming a well-known sports announcer. Peter Schorsch, the publisher of Florida Politics and a friend of Wiles for ten years, points out that Summerall reached tens of millions of people every Sunday with his broadcasts. He believes that Summerall's strong presence and ability to engage an audience influenced Wiles. Another friend and former colleague remarked that Wiles inherited her talent for connecting with people from her father, but her warm and friendly nature comes from her mother, Katherine Jacobs, whom he described as an amazing woman.

Despite the positives, there were significant challenges. Summerall struggled with alcoholism and, following his divorce from Katherine, he became distant from Wiles and her two brothers, Jay and Kyle, for a period. However, as she matured, Wiles remained open to the possibility of rebuilding their relationship, and Summerall acknowledged that she played a key role in encouraging him to seek treatment for his addiction.

In 2017, Wiles and Lanny went their separate ways. Schorsch referred to it as a "low-key divorce involving two well-known individuals," but he believes it allowed Wiles to concentrate more on her political aspirations in her sixties. This change has enabled her to fully commit to supporting the candidates she works with, without any distractions.

Despite her gentle demeanor, she carries a reputation for being fiercely assertive and unafraid to show her claws when necessary. As a political strategist, Schorsch remarks, "Susie doesn’t play games. That’s the simplest way to put it. She’s not harsh or unkind, but if you attempt to advance your own interests dishonestly or pull a fast one, Susie will take matters into her own hands.” This is likely a quality her new boss appreciates greatly.

Schorsch remembers a time when she was in charge of the DeSantis campaign. A consultant who had been brought on decided to talk to the media despite being instructed not to. Susie quickly intervened and ended the conversation, which led to a lengthy process to mend their relationship.

I won't claim that she's struck a bargain with the devil, but she certainly understands Trump's intentions.

He mentions that she has a warm, caring nature reminiscent of a Southern grandmother. For instance, he notes that she remembers the names of volunteers who are hard at work for the campaign in distant areas, and she looks out for her team. “She offers valuable advice like a family member to many of her younger employees.” He recalls a situation where one of her staffers had just become a parent, and she stressed the need for him to take some time off. “She really puts an emphasis on ensuring that her team members are also looking after their personal lives.”

Schorsch believes she embodies the decorum and theatrical style typical of British politics. Unlike her boss, she holds a deep appreciation for the traditions and structure of the institution, demonstrating both respect for the rules and a keen sense for navigating them effectively.

The Trump campaign made a smart move by bringing Wiles on board. They managed to harness the chaos that often accompanies Trump while incorporating what Schorsch refers to as a "structured ground strategy." This combination appeared to play a significant role in Trump’s success. Schorsch pointed out that Mar-a-Lago has become “considerably more organized since Susie took over as the main gatekeeper.”

Additionally, he believes that Wiles does not feel the need to curb Trump's most outrageous behaviors. “It’s more of a practical approach of just letting Trump be himself. He makes statements aimed at his MAGA supporters while also presenting an appealing tax plan that resonates with billionaires, and they appreciate that. I wouldn't go so far as to say she's struck a deal with the devil, but she clearly understands Trump’s true nature.”

Her knack for simultaneously considering multiple ideas and her intuitive understanding of people's needs sets her apart as a savvy strategist. John Delaney brought Wiles on board during his successful campaign for mayor of Jacksonville in 1995, and afterward, she took on the role of his chief of staff.

“By the fourth week of the campaign, she really shifted the mindset and the way they communicated,” he explains. There are also aspects of her style that resemble Trump’s, particularly her knack for engaging an audience and delivering what they desire. “She’s a truly exceptional political strategist with a remarkable intuition for public sentiment and what will resonate,” Delaney adds.

Delaney mentions that Wiles is dedicated to assisting the individuals she collaborates with in achieving their objectives, even if their political views don't always align. "She doesn’t have a big ego. She prefers to work behind the scenes." However, even though friends and coworkers are ready to discuss her capabilities and the challenging nature of her work, she still maintains an air of mystery and keeps her personal life private. Even those from the Trump campaign are hesitant to share much about her.

Regarding her experience working with Trump, Wiles may not always be on board with his communication style, vocabulary, or his political positions on various topics. However, Delaney points out that politics often revolves around what voters are willing to overlook in one candidate versus what they cannot accept in another. This perspective aligns closely with voters who, despite reservations, still chose to cast their ballots. These are the staunch Republicans who might not have been thrilled with their candidate but managed to support him nonetheless.

Delaney questions whether Wiles' views consistently align with Trump’s. “I’d describe her as being more progressive on LGBT+ matters. I find it hard to believe she would automatically share Trump’s stance on immigration, but that's just my opinion.”

Delaney shares Schorsch's opinion that, regardless of her political ambitions, Wiles is genuinely kind and warm-hearted. “If she were a neighbor and you fell ill, she’d be the one to bring you a homemade dish,” he remarks. “If you required help getting an electrician into your home, she would find a way to assist you. And if you were hospitalized, she’d come to see you and send flowers. She’s simply a really kind individual.”

At home, Wiles shares that she loves to take care of her garden and has a passion for cooking. She's also recognized as a enthusiastic birdwatcher, but according to someone close to her, "I don’t think she’s focusing on birdwatching these days."

"Delaney mentions that she adores her daughters and grandchildren. She lives a simple life, avoiding extravagant spending on luxury hotels. He describes her as a dedicated Episcopalian who attends church every Sunday and prays regularly."

Nate Monroe, a writer for the Florida Times-Union who has been familiar with Wiles as a journalist for ten years, explains that her critics often argue that her friendly and approachable nature hides a very strategic and aggressive side. While many hold her in high regard, they also see her as someone to be wary of. She is considered a formidable figure who should not be underestimated.

In January, Monroe wrote a scathing article criticizing DeSantis for his run for the presidency. He highlighted personal characteristics that show DeSantis prefers "cruelty instead of compassion, subtle signals instead of understanding, and division rather than elegance." To twist the knife even further, Monroe remarked, "Do you remember who Trump mentioned during his victory speech in Iowa? That small figure lingering at the edge of his group on stage? It was Susie Wiles, the advisor DeSantis pushed aside, who happens to be one of Trump's most trusted allies. Oops."

Monroe points out that those who know Wiles understood that by excluding her from his close-knit group and embarrassing her in the process, DeSantis was bound to face the consequences eventually. He also mentions that Wiles seems to have an aversion to conflict, which might seem strange or even amusing given her boss's personality. However, Monroe offers a different perspective: maybe Wiles is the perfect match for Trump, providing him with a composed and reliable presence.