Veteran Florida political strategist Susie Wiles, who directed Donald Trump’s successful 2016 Florida campaign, has been chosen by President-elect Trump as the new White House chief of staff.
Wiles, one of Trump’s most trusted advisors, becomes the first woman to hold the position. She is widely credited with professionalizing Trump’s 2024 campaign and minimizing internal conflicts that characterized previous campaigns and his administration, according to media reports.
Trump praised Wiles for her “tough, smart, and innovative” leadership, stating she was integral to his victories in 2016 and 2020.
“Susie will continue to work tirelessly to Make America Great Again,” Trump said in a statement. A veteran of both Florida and national politics, Wiles had previously managed campaigns for Ron DeSantis and Rick Scott.
Despite a brief departure during Trump’s 2020 campaign, she was soon reinstated to oversee his Florida operations.
Wiles, known for her discretion and sharp political acumen, is expected to manage White House operations with a steady hand, amid new influences like Elon Musk and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., alongside seasoned D.C. Republicans.
Wiles has no recent experience in Washington, but her background includes work in the Reagan administration and on Capitol Hill.
Aides and MAGA leaders endorsed her selection, with Trump loyalists praising her “loyalty, honesty, and humility.”
Wiles will face the challenge of navigating competing factions in Trump’s administration while coordinating with Congress and executive agencies.