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7 key facts about Susie Wiles U.S first female Chief of Staff

By Musa Adekunle

08 November 2024   |   11:02 am

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When Donald Trump was declared the winner of the recent election, it marked not only his return to the White House but also a historic appointment — Susie Wiles as the first woman to serve as White House Chief of Staff. Wiles, a seasoned political strategist, has stepped from the behind-the-scenes work of Trump’s campaign…

When Donald Trump was declared the winner of the recent election, it marked not only his return to the White House but also a historic appointment — Susie Wiles as the first woman to serve as White House Chief of Staff.

Wiles, a seasoned political strategist, has stepped from the behind-the-scenes work of Trump’s campaign to the top advisory position in his administration.

Here’s a closer look at the woman shaping Trump’s White House:

1.⁠ ⁠A Veteran of Political Strategy with Decades of Experience

Wiles comes with a long and varied political career, particularly rooted in Florida. She began her journey in Washington with New York Rep. Jack Kemp and later worked with Ronald Reagan’s campaign and White House scheduling.
In Florida, she built her reputation working on several high-stakes campaigns, notably helping Rick Scott secure the governor’s office and guiding Trump to victory in Florida during his 2016 presidential bid.

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2.⁠ ⁠A rocky relationship with Ron DeSantis

Wiles and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis have a history that is as complex as it is tense. Initially, she helped DeSantis win his gubernatorial race. However, the two eventually fell out, with DeSantis later urging Trump’s campaign to part ways with her.
Despite this, Wiles went on to lead Trump’s primary campaign against DeSantis, playing a vital role in Trump’s victory over his former ally in the race.

3.⁠ ⁠A woman who prefers the background

Though Wiles now holds one of the most visible roles in the White House, she has largely shied away from the public eye throughout her career. Even as Trump celebrated his recent victory, she refrained from taking the microphone, keeping her focus on the work behind the scenes. However, she isn’t afraid to roll up her sleeves — she’s known to handle tasks many would delegate, from gathering caucus commitments to picking up after others.

4.⁠ ⁠She has Trump’s respect — and influence over his impulses

Wiles has earned Trump’s trust, not by scolding or managing him, but by proving her worth and showing that he benefits from her counsel. For instance, when Trump veered off-script in a speech, Wiles managed to pull him back in line simply by looking at him, signalling her disapproval.
Trump frequently praised her guidance on the campaign trail, once calling her “incredible” at a rally.

5.⁠ ⁠Social media minimalist, but not shy when needed

While Wiles is not particularly active on social media, she knows when to make her presence felt. Her posts on X (formerly Twitter) this year were rare, but pointed. One memorable moment came when she responded to DeSantis’s lack of campaign events with a simple “Bye, bye,” just before he exited the presidential race. This was classic Wiles: quiet but assertive, stepping in only when it counted.

6.⁠ ⁠Proof against doubters and critics

Wiles remains steady in her role. During Trump’s campaign, billionaire Mark Cuban once commented that Trump lacked “strong, intelligent women” in his circle. Her appointment as Chief of Staff silenced such critiques, and Florida Senator Marco Rubio echoed this sentiment, calling her precisely the kind of “strong, intelligent woman” needed.

7.⁠ ⁠Can she bring stability to the role?

The role of White House Chief of Staff has been one of high turnover for Trump, who went through four chiefs during his previous term. Wiles, however, may bring stability with her pragmatic approach and established rapport with Trump. Her tenure could mark a shift, with Trump emphasising that he now knows the “best people” and has grown wise to the challenges of Washington.