President-elect Donald Trump has chosen his respected election campaign manager Susie Wiles as his chief of staff after she played a pivotal role in leading the Republican to victory.
President-elect Donald Trump has chosen campaign manager Susie Wiles as his chief of staff, who becomes the first woman in US history to be selected for the key role.
Wiles, 67, has played an important role in the Republican’s operations – co-chairing his 2024 campaign and helping mastermind his historic return to power.
In a statement, Trump praised her for helping him achieve “one of the greatest political victories in American history”, adding she was an “integral part” of her 2016 and 2020 campaigns.
President-elect Donald Trump has chosen campaign manager Susie Wiles as his chief of staff, becoming the first woman in US history to be selected for the key role. Picture: Photo/Alex Brandon, File.
“Susie is tough, smart, innovative, and is universally admired and respected. Susie will continue to work tirelessly to Make America Great Again,” he added.
“It is a well-deserved honour 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.”
It comes as the president-elect considers a range of individuals for top positions in his administration, which is set to be sworn in on January 20.
Sources have claimed many others in his team will be recognisable figures will be from his first term in office.
Trump praised Wiles for helping him achieve “one of the greatest political victories in American history”. Picture: Chip Somodevilla/ Getty Images North America/ AFP.
Two of the sources told Reuters that Wiles, a long-time Florida-based political strategist, is viewed as trustworthy and gets plaudits for helping to manage Trump’s successful run for the presidency.
As the gatekeeper to the president, the chief of staff typically wields great influence.
Whoever holds the position manages White House staff, organises the president’s time and schedule and maintains contact with other government departments and lawmakers.
Vice President-elect JD Vance praised Wiles in a post on X as he hailed the “great news”.
“Susie was a huge asset to President Trump on the campaign and will be a huge asset in the White House. She’s also just a really good person. Onward!”, he said.
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Trump invited Wiles to address the crowd during his victory speech, describing his “tremendous appreciation” for her work, but she declined, as evidence of her lack of desire for the spotlight.
“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.
Wiles directed Trump’s Florida campaign operations in 2016 and 2020, with her political career spanning back to 1979 and including work in President Ronald Reagan’s 1980 presidential campaign.
She is currently a senior advisor to Trump and co-manages his campaign alongside Chris LaCivita.
