Wiles is widely credited for orchestrating one of Trump’s most disciplined and well-organized campaigns, earning praise from both within and outside of his inner circle. Her steady leadership and strategic acumen made her the top contender for the role, although she largely remained out of the public eye throughout the campaign. Notably, she refrained from taking the microphone as Trump celebrated his victory in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Wiles's appointment marks Trump’s first major decision as president-elect, and could serve as a crucial test for his administration. With the task of quickly assembling a team to manage the federal government, Wiles's lack of traditional government experience will be closely watched. However, she shares a close, trusted relationship with Trump, which many believe will be key to her success.
She has proven uniquely capable of managing Trump’s often impulsive nature—not by confronting him directly, but by earning his respect and demonstrating that he benefits from following her guidance.
"Susie is tough, smart, innovative, and universally respected," Trump said in a statement. "She 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 U.S. history. I have no doubt that she will make our country proud."
Trump’s first term saw significant turnover in key White House positions, including four different chiefs of staff, one of whom served in an acting role for an entire year. Wiles's appointment will be closely watched as Trump works to stabilize and strengthen his leadership team moving forward.
Successful chiefs of staff play a critical role in shaping a presidency, acting as both the president’s trusted confidant and a key strategist in executing their agenda. They balance competing political and policy priorities, often serving as a gatekeeper—determining who gets access to the president and helping manage his time. This is a role that Donald Trump has historically struggled with, chafing under the constraints of such oversight within the White House.
“The chief of staff is absolutely critical to an effective White House,” said Chris Whipple, author of *The Gatekeepers*, a book examining the pivotal role of the chief of staff. “At the end of the day, the most important thing is telling the president what he doesn’t want to hear.”
On the positive side, Whipple noted that Wiles has demonstrated her ability to manage Trump, often offering him candid, tough advice—a crucial skill for anyone in the position. “She’s shown she can work with him, sometimes telling him hard truths, and that’s really important,” Whipple said. However, he also pointed out a significant drawback: Wiles lacks White House experience and has not worked in Washington for nearly 40 years. "And that’s a real disadvantage," he added.
A seasoned Republican strategist based in Florida, Wiles has played a central role in Trump’s campaigns in the state during both the 2016 and 2020 election cycles. She also ran Rick Scott's successful 2010 campaign for Florida governor and briefly managed Jon Huntsman’s 2012 presidential bid.
Chris LaCivita, who co-managed the 2016 Trump campaign with Wiles, expressed his support for her appointment on social media: “So happy and proud of one of the fiercest and most loyal warriors I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with!!!”