President-elect Donald Trump announced that Susie Wiles, a key figure in his 2016 and 2020 campaigns, will serve as the first female Chief of Staff in U.S. history. Trump praised Wiles for her toughness, intelligence, and innovation, expressing confidence in her ability to continue working tirelessly to “Make America Great Again.”
CNN reported that Wiles was the leading candidate for the position but had set certain conditions before accepting, including more control over who can access the president in the Oval Office. During Trump’s first term, his chiefs of staff struggled to manage a revolving door of informal advisers and family members, making their jobs challenging.
Wiles was credited with running Trump’s most disciplined campaign, keeping fringe voices at bay. She managed the flight manifest for Trump’s private plane, often having to deny access to individuals Trump couldn’t refuse himself. Despite some setbacks, such as failing to prevent far-right provocateur Laura Loomer from joining Trump at events, Wiles remained a trusted adviser.
Brooke Rollins, another contender for the Chief of Staff role, withdrew her candidacy after realizing it would lead to a power struggle with Wiles. Rollins, who served in Trump’s first term, now leads the America First Policy Institute and is expected to have a role in Trump’s second administration.
The Chief of Staff position is one of the few high-ranking government roles never held by a woman. Wiles, the daughter of late NFL broadcaster Pat Summerall and a seasoned political operative from Florida, has been a long-serving adviser to Trump. She led his campaign throughout the race, a rare achievement in Trump’s circle.
On election night, Trump acknowledged Wiles in his victory speech, though she chose not to address the crowd, instead passing the microphone to co-campaign manager Chris LaCivita. Her preference for staying out of the spotlight has endeared her to Trump and his allies, who have publicly endorsed her for the role.
Turning Point USA CEO Charlie Kirk praised Wiles, calling her disciplined, smart, and a perfect fit for the Chief of Staff position. He expressed confidence that she would serve both the president and the country well in this key role.