Susie Wiles — a longtime Republican operative who is returning to working as former President Ronald Reagan’s campaign scheduler for his 1980 presidential bid — will serve as President-elect Trump’s White House chief of staff.
Wiles, who has largely avoided the spotlight, has been widely credited for running what was Trump’s most well-executed, disciplined campaign.
During his victory celebration in West Palm Beach, Florida, Trump thanked Wiles, especially for her crucial role in the campaign.
“Let me also express my tremendous appreciation for Susie [Wiles] and Chris [LaCivita], on the job you did. Susie, come, Susie,” said Trump. “Susie likes to stay sort of 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.”
Donald Trump describes Wiles as “tough, smart, innovative” and said she’s “universally admired and respected.”
The President-elect noted her place as the first female chief of staff in American history, saying: “I have no doubt that she will make our country proud.”
Veteran Republican strategist John Brabender: “If they searched high and low in the entire world, there is not a better choice than Susie Wiles for White House Chief of Staff.”
Regarding Wiles, Brabender said, “Nobody’s going to have a better relationship with the president, who understands that she is there to help him however she can, and he will respect that.”
“Susie will have no other agenda than helping the president help people,” emphasized Brabender. He also noted that “everybody who works for Susie in the White House will be vetted by Susie, which means that they’re going to be nothing but the best.”
Wiles worked for Ronald Reagan in 1980
A longtime GOP Florida-based strategist who ran Donald Trump’s campaign in the state in 2016 and 2020, Wiles’ political experience stretches far back to working for Ronald Reagan.
Additionally, Wiles ran Rick Scott’s 2010 campaign for governor of Florida and briefly managed former Governor of Utah Jon Huntsman’s 2012 presidential campaign.
Currently, Wiles serves as senior adviser to Trump and co-chair of the campaign alongside Chris LaCivita.
Kevin McCarthy, former Speaker of the House, was previously considered a potential contender for chief of staff but recently told “The Guy Benson Show” that he wouldn’t accept the position if it was offered.
“People always ask if I’m going to be chief of staff — no, I’m not going to be … that’s a now,” he said.
