President-elect Donald Trump’s first major appointment since his recent victory was a historic one. He selected Susie Wiles to serve as his White House chief of staff, making her the first woman to hold this position.
Wiles, who managed Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, has earned widespread recognition. The New York Times described her as “perhaps the most significant voice inside Mr. Trump’s third presidential campaign.”
Florida Democratic Representative Jared Moskowitz highlighted Wiles’ strategic effectiveness, both in Trump’s campaign and in previous political contests throughout Florida. “If you don’t know her, you soon will, but Susie will go down as one of the greatest campaign strategists,” he said . “To the Democrats’ detriment she has been a part of all the winning campaigns in Florida.”
Trump also expressed his gratitude to Wiles during his victory speech on Tuesday evening. “Let me also express my tremendous appreciation for Susie and Chris—the job you did. Come, Susie,” Trump said, calling over Wiles and referencing her co-campaign manager, Chris LaCivita. “Susie likes to stay in the back, let me tell you. We call her the ice maiden.”
Here’s what you need to know about Wiles, who has become one of Trump’s most trusted advisors and will have a close relationship with the President-elect as he returns to the White House.
Wiles has a long history working for Republican politicians and their campaigns
The 67-year-old has a lengthy career as a Republican strategist and campaign staffer.
She worked for the late former New York Representative Jack Kemp in the 1970s, followed by a role on Ronald Reagan’s 1980 presidential campaign. She later worked for Jacksonville Mayors John Delaney and John Peyton.
Wiles became a well-known and highly skilled strategist in Florida political campaigns, overseeing Senator Rick Scott’s successful campaign for Governor in 2010.
She also briefly directed the 2012 presidential campaign of former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman, who later strongly criticized Trump following the events of Jan. 6, 2021.
After Trump’s victory in 2016, Wiles chose to remain in Florida and managed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ successful campaign for Governor. However, she has also been vocal about why Trump ultimately became the GOP’s 2024 primary candidate instead of DeSantis. The day DeSantis ended his presidential bid, Wiles posted “Bye, bye” (formerly Twitter).
Wiles helped Trump win Florida in 2016 and has only grown in importance since then
Wiles joined Trump’s 2016 campaign in Florida, specifically overseeing operations that ultimately helped him secure a victory in the state, landing him the crucial electoral votes.
Although Wiles rarely speaks publicly—Trump said in his victory speech on Tuesday evening that she “likes to stay in the background”—she did speak to the during the 2016 election cycle, explaining that she chose to work for Trump because he represented the changes in Washington she believed were necessary. She felt other candidates represented a Republican status quo she didn’t want to continue with.
“I said, ‘I don’t want this to continue.’ I think it seriously will damage our republic and who among that group can really have the fortitude to shift what I’ve seen happening over all these years?” Wiles is quoted as saying.
In 2019, it was reported that —and succeeded.
But Wiles returned to Trump’s inner circle, running much of his operations in the Sunshine State, growing to her role as senior campaign manager during the 2024 campaign. Her prominence has reportedly made her a target to .
Wiles’ life away from campaigning
Born in New Jersey, Wiles came from a prominent family, long before her political career began. Wiles’ father is the late legendary NFL player-turned-broadcaster Pat Summerall.
Wiles married fellow Reagan staffer and Republican consultant Lanny Wiles, and the two relocated to a suburb of Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach. The couple share two daughters and divorced in 2017, .