Trump Taps Campaign Manager to Be White House Chief of Staff
President-elect Donald Trump named Susie Wiles, a veteran in Florida politics who has directed his campaign for the last four years, as White House chief of staff.
Wiles, who has played one of the most powerful roles in national politics and steered Trump’s operation into victory, will be the first woman to step into the role of White House chief of staff.
“Susie Wiles just helped me achieve one of the greatest political victories in American history, and was an integral part of both my 2016 and 2020 successful campaigns,” Trump said in a statement. “Susie is tough, smart, innovative, and is universally admired and respected. Susie will continue to work tirelessly to Make America Great Again.”
Wiles has largely remained in the background while working alongside the president-elect, but played a key part in helping Trump navigate his numerous criminal and civil cases. Wiles led his campaign to win Florida in 2016, and went on to help lead Ron DeSantis’ run for Florida governor in 2018, which she later called the “biggest mistake” of her career, according to an interview with The Atlantic.
In 2021, she was appointed CEO of Trump’s Save America PAC. After Trump announced his run to return to the White House, she took on a senior role in his presidential campaign.
During Trump’s victory speech on Wednesday, he invited Wiles to take the stage alongside him. “Susie likes to stay sort of in the back,” said Trump. “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.”
More from Rolling Stone
Best of Rolling Stone
Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.