In a swift move following his win over Kamala Harris, President-elect Donald Trump has named Susie Wiles, his campaign chief, as White House Chief of Staff. Wiles, a seasoned Republican strategist and key figure in Trump’s campaign machinery, will now oversee daily White House operations, marking a new chapter in her long political career.
Who is Susie Wiles?
Following his victory over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, Republican President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Susie Wiles, his campaign chief, as his White House Chief of Staff. This marks Trump’s first major appointment post-election. Here’s a closer look at key facts about Wiles, who will be overseeing daily operations at the White House.
A Disciplined Campaign Leader
A seasoned Republican strategist, Wiles, alongside co-campaign manager Chris LaCivita, is credited with leading one of Trump’s most structured and disciplined campaigns. While it wasn’t always possible to keep Trump on-script, she managed to minimise leaks, crafted an effective strategy to appeal to Latino and Black voters, and ultimately helped secure a decisive win.
Roots in Party Establishment
Wiles began her political career on Ronald Reagan’s 1980 presidential campaign and has since worked with moderate Republicans. Her experience includes roles with figures like Jack Kemp, a free-trade advocate, and Tillie Fowler, known for moderate positions on issues like gun control. She also managed Jon Huntsman Jr.’s 2012 presidential campaign, supporting a candidate known for his moderate stance and criticism of Trump following the Capitol attack on January 6th.
Working with Trump’s Rivals
In later years, Wiles collaborated with several high-profile Republicans, including Trump ally Senator Rick Scott. She played a key role in Ron DeSantis’s successful 2018 campaign for Florida governor but was later dismissed by DeSantis after his election. When DeSantis entered the Republican primary against Trump, Wiles spearheaded an assertive strategy that highlighted DeSantis’s perceived weaknesses.
The ‘Ice Maiden’
Known for her restrained and enigmatic demeanour, Wiles rarely appears in televised interviews or public speaking events, contrasting with the more vocal Chris LaCivita. Trump even referred to her as the “ice maiden” during his victory speech, acknowledging her disciplined and sometimes ruthless approach to campaign management.
Here’s a look at Trump’s former Chiefs of Staff and their perspectives on his leadership:
Reince Priebus (January 20, 2017 – July 31, 2017): Trump’s first Chief of Staff, Priebus maintained a low profile after his tenure, offering little public commentary on Trump’s style or approach to governing.
John F. Kelly (July 31, 2017 – January 2, 2019): A former Marine Corps General, Kelly has been openly critical, describing Trump in stark terms and voicing concerns about how he might govern if given another term.
Mick Mulvaney (Acting, January 2, 2019 – March 31, 2020): Mulvaney has presented a balanced view, acknowledging both positives and negatives in Trump’s administration. While he has expressed concerns about certain decisions, he has been more reserved in his criticism than some other former officials.
Mark Meadows (March 31, 2020 – January 20, 2021): Meadows has remained a strong ally of Trump, consistently supporting his actions both during and after his presidency. Despite facing scrutiny over his involvement in January 6-related events, Meadows continues to align with Trump’s political direction.