Historic Appointment: Trump’s Campaign Chief Susie Wiles to Break Glass Ceiling as First Female White House Chief of Staff
In a groundbreaking announcement that marks a significant milestone in American political history, President-elect Donald Trump has named his successful campaign manager, Susie Wiles, as the next White House chief of staff. This appointment makes her the first woman ever to hold this prestigious position in U.S. history.
The daughter of late NFL broadcaster Pat Summerall, Wiles earned widespread recognition for running what many consider Trump’s most organized and disciplined campaign to date. Her appointment comes after she helped secure what Trump called “one of the greatest political victories in American history.”
“Susie is tough, smart, innovative, and is universally admired and respected,” Trump declared in his statement announcing her selection. He emphasized, “Susie will continue to work tirelessly to make America great again.”
However, Wiles didn’t accept this powerful role without setting clear boundaries. Sources close to the transition reveal that she made specific demands before taking the position, with controlling access to the Oval Office being a top priority. One insider bluntly stated that “the clown car can’t come into the White House at will” – a condition Trump reportedly agreed to.
This requirement stems from challenges faced during Trump’s first term, when various informal advisers, family members, and friends had frequent, uncontrolled access to the president.
Wiles has already shown her ability to manage access to Trump during the campaign, where she controlled the flight manifest for his private plane and often had to make tough decisions about keeping certain individuals at arm’s length.
The appointment has drawn praise from various corners of the Republican Party. Charlie Kirk, CEO of Turning Point USA, praised Wiles on social media, noting that she “ran Trump’s best campaign of the three, and it wasn’t particularly close.” He highlighted her disciplined approach and preference to avoid the spotlight as key qualities for the role.
Wiles’s appointment breaks a significant gender barrier in American politics. While women have held numerous high-ranking positions in government, including vice president, Cabinet posts, and top judicial seats, the chief of staff role – considered the second-most-important office in the West Wing – had never been held by a woman until now.
Her track record with Trump spans years, making her one of his longest-serving advisers. After helping secure his victory in Florida in 2020, she served as his de facto chief of staff during his post-presidency before leading his entire 2024 campaign—a rare achievement in Trump’s often turbulent political orbit.
The transition process has already begun, with other potential candidates like Brooke Rollins, who runs the America First Policy Institute, stepping aside. We still expect Rollins to play a role in the second Trump administration, though the specifics remain unclear.
As Wiles prepares to take on this historic role, all eyes will be on her ability to maintain the discipline and organization she brought to the campaign within the White House itself. Her success could set a new standard for future administrations while paving the way for more women in top government positions.
For now, Wiles maintains her characteristic low profile, demonstrated recently when she declined to address the crowd during Trump’s victory speech, instead letting co-campaign manager Chris LaCivita take the microphone—a move that sources say has only increased Trump’s confidence in her ability to manage his second term effectively.