Susie Wiles: ‘tough, smart’ operator who led Trump back to the White House

Susie Wiles has been appointed as Donald Trump's new chief of staff at the White House, making her the first woman ever to hold this influential position of acting as the president's gatekeeper.

The chief of staff is typically the first person appointed by a newly elected president and may lead the transition between administrations. Once Trump takes office, Wiles will be responsible for overseeing all policies in the White House, acting as a trusted advisor and managing the day-to-day operations.

At 67 years old, Wiles has a long history in Florida's political scene. She kicked off her career in the 1970s working at the Washington office of New York Congressman Jack Kemp. After that, she played roles in Ronald Reagan's campaign and served as a scheduler in his White House.

Wiles then moved to Florida, where she provided guidance to two mayors in Jacksonville and worked alongside Congresswoman Tillie Fowler. Following that, she got involved in state-wide election campaigns within the tough landscape of Florida politics, earning recognition for her role in helping businessman Rick Scott secure the governorship.

Following a short stint overseeing Jon Huntsman's presidential campaign in 2012 while he was the governor of Utah, she took charge of Donald Trump's 2016 campaign in Florida. His victory in that state was crucial in securing his path to the White House.

Two years later, Wiles played a key role in Ron DeSantis's election as governor of Florida. However, their relationship soured over time, eventually prompting DeSantis to advise Trump’s 2020 campaign to sever its connection with Wiles, who was managing the former president’s state campaign once more.

Wiles eventually took charge of Trump’s campaign in the primaries, where he decisively defeated DeSantis, the governor of Florida. Trump’s campaign team and their supporters couldn't resist making fun of DeSantis during the race, poking fun at his laugh, his eating habits, and even claiming that he wore lifts in his shoes. Additionally, they seemed to leverage insider information, which many believed had come from Wiles and other members of Trump’s team who previously worked with DeSantis and had a negative experience.

Wiles became part of Trump's third campaign, taking on the role of his unofficial chief of staff for the past three years. In this capacity, he played a key role in managing Trump's successful re-election efforts and assisted him in coordinating with legal advisors regarding his numerous criminal and civil legal matters.

“Susie Wiles played a key role in helping me secure one of the most significant political wins in American history, and she was crucial to the success of both my 2016 and 2020 campaigns,” Trump stated. “She is strong, intelligent, creative, and is held in high regard and respect by everyone.”

Trump referred to her during his victory speech in Palm Beach, Florida. "Susie prefers to keep a low profile, I'll tell you that. We affectionately call her the Ice Maiden," he stated.

In a profile, Politico characterized her as a "force more felt than visible," attributing the enhanced professionalism of the former president's current campaign to her influence, contrasting it with the chaotic and unstructured efforts of the past.

Wiles, who identifies as a moderate, is recognized by both Trump’s supporters and critics for instilling the discipline and focus necessary for his political success. She is well-regarded for maintaining positive relationships with journalists and possesses extensive knowledge about the various components of campaign management.

Some individuals have referred to her as someone who supports Trump’s authoritarian goals. According to Fernand Amandi, a Democratic pollster from Miami and analyst for MSNBC, “Susie Wiles is far too intelligent and too skilled in politics to be unaware of what’s happening.”

Wiles managed to keep Trump's more extreme tendencies in check, not through criticism or lectures, but by gaining his respect and demonstrating that he benefited more by heeding her counsel rather than ignoring it. Towards the end of the campaign, after Trump delivered a speech in Pennsylvania that drew significant backlash for deviating from his usual script and implying that he wouldn’t mind violence against the media, Wiles confronted him with a silent, intense stare.

During his campaign, Trump frequently mentioned Wiles, openly acknowledging her effective leadership of what he claimed was often regarded as his "most well-organized campaign."

"She's amazing. Truly amazing," he expressed during a rally in Milwaukee earlier this month.

Throughout Trump's initial term in office, he appointed several chiefs of staff: Reince Priebus, who was the chair of the Republican National Committee; General John Kelly; Mick Mulvaney, a former representative from South Carolina; and Mark Meadows, a former representative from North Carolina.

The ex-president frequently had disagreements with or grew weary of those he had appointed. In the weeks leading up to the election, Kelly, a retired Marine general, specifically remarked that Trump aligns with what many consider to be "a general definition of fascist."

This report includes contributions from the Associated Press.