Donald Trump Names Susan Wiles as White House Chief of Staff, First woman to Hold Position

Washington: President-elect Donald Trump has named Susie Wiles, defacto manr of his victorious campaign, as his White House chief of staff, first woman to hold influential role.

Wiles is widely credited within and outside Trump’s inner circle for running what was, by far, his most disciplined and well-executed campaign, and was seen as leing contender for position. She largely avoided spotlight, even refusing to take mic to speak as Trump celebrated his victory early Wednesday morning. She resisted formal title of campaign manr, avoiding becoming a target, given Trump’s history of cycling through people in that role.

Wiles’ hire is Trump’s first major decision as president-elect and one that could be a defining test of his incoming ministration, as he must quickly build team that will help run massive federal government. Wiles doesn’t bring much federal government experience to role, but has a close relationship with president-elect.

On campaign, Wiles was able to do what few ors have been able to: help control Trump’s impulses — t by chiding him or lecturing, but by earning his respect and showing him that he was better off when he followed her vice than flouting it.

Eight years ago, Trump tossed careful planning of his transition team and inste hired a motley assortment of campaign aides, family members and Republican insiders who spent better part of his first year in office engd in infighting that dominated news cover of new ministration. It was what many experts consider a foundational mistake that hamstrung a president who was new to Washington and government upon his swearing in.

Trump went through four chiefs of staff — including one who served in an acting capacity for a year — during his first ministration, part of a record-setting personnel churn. Many top aides were cast out by Trump in his first term, who resented being me to feel mand or condescended to, while ors got caught up in ideological spats within factionalized West Wing.

Trump aides see hope that Wiles’ selection marks a sign that president-elect is aiming to build a more cohesive team, though one that will almost certainly remain less conventional than his Democratic or Republican predecessors.

Trump, who promised in 2016 to hire “only best people” has since repeatedly said that he believes biggest mistake of his first term was hiring wrong people. He was new to Washington n, he has said, and didn’t kw any better. But w, Trump said, he kws “best people” and those to avoid for roles in his ministration.

“Susie is tough, smart, invative, and is universally mired and respected. Susie will continue to work tirelessly to Make America Great Again," Trump said in a statement. "It is a well deserved hor to have Susie as first-ever female Chief of Staff in United States history. I have doubt that she will make our country proud.”

Successful chiefs of staff serve as president’s confidant, help execute a president’s nda and balance competing political and policy priorities. y also tend to serve as a gatekeeper, helping determine whom president spends his time with and whom he speaks to — an effort Trump chafed under inside White House.

chief of staff is “absolutely critical to an effective White House,” said Chris Whipple, whose book “ Gatekeepers” details how White House chief of staff role shapes and defines a presidency. “At end of day most important thing is telling president what he doesn’t want to hear."

“On plus side, she’s shown that she can man Trump, that she works with him and can sometimes tell him hard truths, and that’s really important," said Whipple. “On minus side, she really has White House experience and hasn’t really worked in Washington in 40 years. And that’s a real disvant.”

Wiles is a longtime Florida-based Republican strategist who ran Trump’s campaigns in state in 2016 and 2020, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' successful bid for office in 2018. Before that, she ran Rick Scott’s 2010 campaign for Florida goverr and briefly served as manr of former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman’s 2012 presidential campaign.

Wiles also worked in offices of former Jacksonville mayors John Delaney and John Peyton.

Chris LaCivita, who along with Wiles served as de-facto campaign manr, described Wiles as someone who is inclusive in conversations, who seeks input from ors and is stefastly loyal.

“Susie is just functionally built differently because she has that rare commodity to be able to work on so many different important issues simultaneously,” LaCivita told Associated Press.

Wiles was one who was tasked with having toughest discussions with Trump and on every pivotal conversation. She worked well with his family and developed relationships with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Elon Musk that put her in position as a key conduit for Trump’s budding alliances with those men.

“She can man really any ego that comes her way,” LaCivita said. “And she doesn’t do it by any or way or than just being very straightforward and on top of details.”

He ded: “ most important commodity in politics is honesty and loyalty and Susie has both in copious amounts.”

Wiles was seen by Trump aides as someone who could guide his moods and impulses without necessarily restraining him. Trump often referenced Wiles on campaign trail, publicly praising her leership of what he said he was often told was his “best-run campaign.”

“She’s incredible. Incredible,” he said at a Milwaukee rally earlier this month,

At a rally in Pennsylvania where Trump me one of his last appearances before election, he launched into a profane and conspiracy-len speech. Wiles was spotted standing offst and appearing to glare at him.

Later, at a rally in Pittsburgh, Trump seemed to ackwledge his viser's’ efforts to keep him on mess.

After complaining that men aren’t allowed to call a woman “beautiful” any longer, he asked if he could strike that word from record. “I’m allowed to do that, aren’t I, Susan Wiles?” he mused.