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US president-elect Donald Trump has chosen Susie Wiles, his 2024 campaign manager, as his White House chief of staff, in the first in a series of important appointments to his new administration.
“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 wrote in a statement.
Wiles and Republican strategist Chris LaCivita co-ran the 2024 Trump campaign; Wiles was an unassuming but commanding presence in the former president’s inner circle.
On election night, Trump urged her to speak but she left the spotlight to him and LaCivita, who spoke on behalf of the top campaign staff.
“Susie is tough, smart, innovative and is universally admired and respected. Susie will continue to work tirelessly to Make America Great Again,” said Trump in his statement.
He added: “It is a well deserved honour to have Susie as the first-ever female Chief of Staff in United States history. I have no doubt that she will make our country proud.”
Wiles, 67, is the daughter of the late US sports broadcaster and American football player Pat Summerall, and the press release noted Wiles’ famous maiden name. She has been a stalwart of Republican politics for decades, reportedly first working for House member Jack Kemp, an ex-teammate of Summerall’s, before working on Ronald Reagan’s 1980 presidential campaign.
Wiles was also instrumental in helping Rick Scott win the governorship in Florida in 2010, led Jon Huntsman’s shortlived 2012 presidential campaign, and ran Florida operations for Trump’s successful 2016 presidential campaign.
She then worked on Ron DeSantis’ 2018 gubernatorial campaign before falling out with the Florida governor, who ran against Trump in 2024.
In January, during the Republican primary contest, Wiles criticised DeSantis in a rare tweet as he was losing to Trump. “Bye, bye,” she wrote.
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