President-elect Donald Trump announced Thursday that his campaign manager, Susie Wiles, will serve as his White House chief of staff when he takes office in January.
“Susie Wiles just helped me achieve one of the greatest political victories in American history, and was an integral part of both my 2016 and 2020 successful campaigns,” Trump said in a statement. “Susie is tough, smart, innovative, and is universally admired and respected. Susie will continue to work tirelessly to Make America Great Again. It is a well deserved honor to have Susie as the first-ever female Chief of Staff in United States history. I have no doubt that she will make our country proud.”
As chief of staff, Wiles, a veteran political operative, will oversee the executive office of the president.
Wiles, a Florida-based consultant, has worked in politics for decades, dating back to 1980, when she served as a campaign scheduler for Ronald Reagan’s presidential bid.
Wiles helped Trump win Florida in his first two presidential campaigns. She then served as close adviser after he left the White House, before co-managing Trump’s third campaign with Chris LaCivita.
Wiles had prior experience managing several campaigns, including former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman Jr.’s presidential campaign, Florida Senator Rick Scott’s Senate bid, and Ron DeSantis’s 2018 gubernatorial campaign.
Trump gave Wiles a shoutout during his victory speech in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Tuesday night.
“Let me also express my tremendous appreciation for Susie and Chris, the job you did. Susie, come, Susie,” Trump said.
He invited Wiles to speak, but she declined. “Susie likes to stay sort of in the back, let me tell you. The ice baby. We call her the ice baby. Susie likes to stay in the background. She’s not in the background,” Trump said. “Thank you, Susie.”
Ahead of the announcement, Wiles was widely seen as the frontrunner for the chief of staff position, though former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has also been floated as a potential pick.
However, McCarthy told The Guy Benson Show that he would not accept the position if it was offered to him.
“People always ask if I’m going to be chief of staff — no, I’m not going to be… that’s a no,” he said.
Trump went through four chiefs of staff during his first term in office. His first pick, Reince Priebus, lasted six months before being replaced by John Kelly, who has since become an outspoken critic of Trump.
