In a historic move, President-elect Donald Trump has named Susie Wiles as his Chief of Staff, marking her as the first woman to ever hold the role in U.S. history. Known for her sharp political instincts and effectiveness in high-stakes situations, Wiles is well-regarded in Republican circles as a power player who has been integral to some of the GOP’s most notable wins. This appointment underscores Trump’s strategy for his second term, bringing on a seasoned insider who’s demonstrated her ability to deliver victories even in challenging political landscapes.
Wiles isn’t new to the public eye or to challenges. Her father, Pat Summerall, was an NFL legend and a beloved voice of football for decades as a commentator for CBS alongside John Madden. Her life took a public turn when, years into her father’s successful career, he struggled with alcoholism. Wiles took the difficult but courageous step of staging an intervention that ultimately helped Summerall overcome his addiction.
In his autobiography, Summerall credited his daughter’s tough love with helping him take the first steps toward sobriety. This early example of her resilience and strength foreshadowed the tough, no-nonsense approach she would later bring to her political career.
Wiles began her political work in the late 1970s, starting out as an assistant to Jack Kemp, an NFL star turned congressman who went on to become a key figure in Ronald Reagan’s economic team. She played a role in Reagan’s successful 1980 campaign before moving to Florida in the ’90s, where she continued building her career. Over the years, she became a familiar name in Florida politics, advising everyone from Jacksonville’s mayor to then-gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott, who’s now a U.S. Senator. Known for her sharp political instincts, she became a go-to strategist, eventually helping Scott secure the governor’s seat in 2010.
Although Wiles has long been considered part of the GOP establishment, she joined Trump’s campaign in 2015, surprising many colleagues with her decision to support the outsider candidate. In a statement at the time, she explained her frustration with the Republican Party’s “expediency culture” and its growing complacency, a sentiment she believed Trump would address. With Trump, Wiles saw an opportunity to revive core conservative principles and enact real change. Her instincts proved correct, as Trump won both the primary and the general election in a historic upset.
In 2018, Wiles applied her strategic know-how to another tough race, this time in Florida, where Congressman Ron DeSantis was running for governor. With Trump’s endorsement and Wiles’s direction, DeSantis overcame a competitive primary and a difficult general election to secure his victory. Yet after DeSantis entered office, tensions reportedly grew between Wiles and Florida’s First Lady Casey DeSantis, ultimately leading to Wiles’s departure from the DeSantis camp.
By 2024, Wiles had rejoined Trump’s team as an advisor, a position that allowed her to leverage her insights into DeSantis’s campaign during Trump’s own return to the national stage. When DeSantis’s campaign events began quietly disappearing from his website, Wiles commented with a simple “Bye, bye,” showing she hadn’t lost her sharp wit.
I’m told @mcuban needs help identifying the strong and intelligent women surrounding Pres. Trump. Well, here we are! I’ve been proud to lead this campaign. Complimented by @Linda_McMahon,Chair for Transition Policy and @LaraLeaTrump,RNC Co-Chair. pic.twitter.com/X7y9q3WsG8
— Susie Wiles (@SusieWiles) October 31, 2024
Wiles also brings considerable experience as a lobbyist, having represented clients ranging from Swisher International to major tech and healthcare firms. As co-chair of Mercury Public Affairs, her network includes some of the largest names in business, from Pfizer to Tesla, and her work in Washington reflects a deep understanding of the nation’s power structures. Her role as Chief of Staff will undoubtedly benefit from her extensive experience navigating these networks, bolstering her ability to support Trump’s policy initiatives and push for results.
JUST IN: Donald Trump’s campaign manager Susie Wiles has been named Chief of Staff.
She is the first female Chief of Staff in history.
Wiles has been credited for running what is seen as Trump’s “most sophisticated and disciplined campaign.”
“She is someone who makes Donald… pic.twitter.com/8fqf4gAPH0
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 7, 2024
Wiles embodies the Trump team’s commitment to a tough, results-driven agenda in her new position. Trump’s choice signals his intent to bring effective, battle-tested leaders into his inner circle as he prepares to launch his ambitious agenda for his second term.
For Susie Wiles, this appointment cements her legacy as one of the most influential and capable operatives in Republican politics. The nation is likely to see her leave an indelible mark on the White House, with a sharp political mind and a track record that speaks volumes about her capacity to deliver results.
