Susie Wiles, a seasoned GOP operative, will step in as President-elect Trump’s White House chief of staff.
She has largely kept a low profile but is credited with running Trump’s most disciplined campaign.
During his victory celebration in West Palm Beach, Trump expressed special thanks to Wiles for her significant contributions.
"Let me also express my tremendous appreciation for Susie [Wiles] and Chris [LaCivita], on the job you did. Susie, come, Susie," he said. "Susie likes to stay sort of in the back, 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."
Susie Wiles is great pic.twitter.com/h56f2LIn6d
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 8, 2024
Trump praised Wiles as "tough, smart, innovative." He added that she is "universally admired and respected."
He highlighted her historic role as the first female chief of staff, stating, "I have no doubt that she will make our country proud."
Veteran GOP strategist John Brabender told Fox News Digital, "If they searched high and low in the entire world, there is not a better choice than Susie Wiles for White House Chief of Staff."
Brabender emphasized that Wiles will have the best relationship with the president. "She is there to help him however she can, and he will respect that."
"Susie will have no other agenda than helping the president help people," he stated. "Everybody who works for Susie in the White House will be vetted by Susie, which means that there are going to be nothing but the best."
Wiles is a longtime Florida Republican strategist. She managed Trump’s campaign in the state in both 2016 and 2020.
Her political career dates back to working as a scheduler for former President Reagan’s 1980 campaign.
Wiles also led Rick Scott's 2010 campaign for Florida governor and briefly managed former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman's 2012 presidential campaign.
Currently, she is a senior adviser to Trump and co-chairs his campaign alongside Chris LaCivita.
Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy had been mentioned as a contender for chief of staff. Recently, he clarified on "The Guy Benson Show" that he would decline the position if offered.
"People always ask if I'm going to be chief of staff — no, I'm not going to be… that's a no," he said.