US President-elect Donald Trump announced that his campaign manager, Susie Wiles, will be his White House chief of staff. This is historic because she will be the first woman ever in this role. Wiles, who is 67 years old, led Trump’s 2024 campaign to victory and was also important in his 2016 and 2020 campaigns.

Trump expressed his gratitude for Susie Wiles' role in his success, saying, “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.” He said this two days after his strong election win over Democrat Kamala Harris. The 78-year-old Republican described Wiles as “tough, smart, innovative, and is universally admired and respected,” adding that her new position is a “well-deserved honour.”

Wiles and fellow campaign manager Chris LaCivita are credited with leading Trump’s winning campaign. During his victory speech on Wednesday, Trump gave a special mention to Wiles, affectionately calling her the “ice baby” and noting that “Susie likes to stay in the background.”

Vice President-elect JD Vance also praised Wiles’ contributions, saying, “She was a huge asset to Trump on the campaign and will be a huge asset in the White House. She’s also just a really good person.”

Who is Susie Wiles?

Susie Wiles, born on May 14, 1957, is the daughter of well-known football player and sportscaster Pat Summerall. She is an experienced political strategist from Florida and began her career working on Ronald Reagan’s 1980 presidential campaign. Over the years, she has worked with well-known Republicans, including U.S. representatives Jack Kemp and Tillie Fowler, and was briefly the campaign manager for former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman Jr. in his 2012 presidential bid.

Besides her work with Trump, Susie Wiles was also important in helping Florida Governor Ron DeSantis win his 2018 election. In Trump’s 2016 and 2020 campaigns, she worked as a senior adviser, gaining a strong reputation for her strategic thinking and leadership skills.

Susie Wiles' appointment as White House chief of staff is seen as an important milestone because she is the first woman to hold this powerful role in the U.S. administration. Her years of political experience and strong loyalty to Trump show the trust he has in her as he gets ready for his second term.