Washington: Republican President-elect Donald Trump announced Susie Wiles, his campaign chief, as his White House chief of staff on Thursday. This marks his first appointment following his victory over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris in Tuesday’s election. Here’s a deeper look at Wiles, who will be responsible for running the day-to-day operations at the White House:
A Disciplined Operator
Wiles, a seasoned Republican strategist, is widely recognized for her role in running one of the most disciplined and strategic campaigns in Trump’s political history. Alongside co-campaign manager Chris LaCivita, Wiles was instrumental in shaping Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, ensuring that it ran efficiently and with a clear focus. Though she was unable to fully stop Trump from occasionally going off-script, she managed to minimize media leaks and spearheaded a bold strategy that reached out to Latino and Black voters—contributing significantly to Trump’s decisive victory.
A Long Path Through the Republican Party
Wiles’ political career began in the 1980s, where she worked on Republican President Ronald Reagan’s successful 1980 campaign. Over the years, she worked with moderate Republicans who held policy views that contrasted with Trump’s more populist approach. Early in her career, she worked for U.S. Representatives Jack Kemp, a free trade advocate, and Tillie Fowler, known for her moderate stance on various issues, including gun control.
Wiles also briefly managed former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman Jr.’s 2012 presidential campaign, where Huntsman, one of the more moderate Republicans in the field, sharply criticized Trump after the 2021 Capitol riot.
Shifting Allegiances
In the latter part of her career, Wiles worked with more combative Republican figures, many of whom became key Trump allies, including U.S. Senator Rick Scott of Florida. Wiles was also a significant figure in Ron DeSantis’ 2018 Florida gubernatorial campaign. However, after DeSantis took office, Wiles was dismissed. When DeSantis and Trump later clashed in the Republican presidential primary, she played a crucial role in shaping a strategy that positioned her former boss as out of touch on several key issues.
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The “Ice Maiden”
Despite her considerable influence, Wiles is known for being a relatively low-profile figure in the media. She seldom gives televised interviews and avoids public speaking engagements, preferring to work behind the scenes. Like many successful campaign managers, she is known for her ruthlessness when necessary, which has earned her the nickname “Ice Maiden”. Trump himself referred to her as such during his victory speech, a nickname that reflects her no-nonsense approach to politics.
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A Prominent Background
Wiles is the daughter of the late Pat Summerall, a renowned football player and sportscaster. Summerall played in the NFL for a decade and later became the voice of 16 Super Bowls. He passed away in 2013, leaving behind a legacy of sports broadcasting excellence.
