When President-elect Donald Trump gave his election night victory speech Tuesday, he singled out one person for special thanks.
“Let me also express my enormous appreciation for Susie…” Trump said, smiling, turning to the family and staff crowding the stage at his campaign headquarters in Palm Beach, Florida.
‘The work you did. Come on, Susie. Come here, Susie,” he beckoned. “Susie likes to hang back… We call her the Ice Maiden.”
Then the phalanx of towering, designer-clad women, including Trump’s daughter-in-law Lara and Don Jr.’s fiancée Kimberly Guilfoyle, parted ways and a gray-haired grandmother in a pale blouse and gold hoop earrings stepped forward. .
Usually when Trump invites someone to the lectern, they almost trip over themselves to get there. But not Susie Wiles.
The 67-year-old shook the president-elect’s hand and smiled, but when he suggested she “say a few words,” her eyes widened and she shook her head vigorously.
Usually when Trump invites someone to the lectern, they almost trip over themselves to get there. But not Susie Wiles (above, left).
This woman, who has been described as “the most feared and least known political operative”, carefully avoids the spotlight. However, we’ll all probably see it more now.
On Thursday night, Trump named her White House chief of staff, making her the first woman named to the role of the president’s guardian.
Wiles, the de facto manager of Trump’s presidential campaign and the daughter of a famous (and notoriously problematic) NFL sportscaster, had been rumored to have been considering this role for some time.
And other names circulated, such as Brooke Rollins, a right-wing lawyer who ran domestic policy in the first Trump administration, and Kevin McCarthy, the former Republican speaker of the House.
Trump was reported to be looking for a boss with deep experience in Washington, DC, similar to some of his short-term hires from the first term; Congressmen Mick Mulvaney and Mark Meadows.
But Wiles won (perhaps because of his demonstrated ability to do what Trump’s other bosses couldn’t): put the boss in check.
Despite some tremendous setbacks in the Trump 2024 campaign, including a disastrous September debate performance against Vice President Kamala Harris and a disastrously ill-timed appearance with 9/11 conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer at a 9/11 memorial event 9/11, Wiles is credited with leading a disciplined operation.
That’s saying a lot in Trumpworld.
But discipline is Susie’s modus operandi.
Wiles’ friend and former U.S. ambassador, Carlos Trujillo, said the New Jersey native, who got into politics as an aide to a legendary New York Republican politician, keeps the trains running on time.
“Her professional staff is some of the best…and they are absolutely loyal to her and her vision,” he said. But his specialty, he said, is “managing personalities and managing information.”
On Thursday night, Trump named her White House chief of staff, making her the first woman named to the role of the president’s guardian. (Above) Susie Wiles on ‘Trump Force One’ in 2023
But Wiles won (perhaps because of his demonstrated ability to do what Trump’s other bosses couldn’t): put the boss in check. (Above) Wiles with Trump campaign co-chairman Chris LaCivita
A rare, deeply personal profile of Wiles published by Politico earlier this year delved into how her difficult upbringing may have perversely prepared her for this role.
As mentioned, she is the daughter of the late Pat Summerall, an NFL player who became one of America’s most iconic sports commentators. He was also an alcoholic.
Summerall, who died in 2013, wrote in his memoirs about his drinking and the extramarital affair that led to his divorce from Wiles’ mother, admitting: ‘My children grew up without me. I failed them as a father.’
The article notes how children of alcoholics often learn to handle chaotic situations and people: “They can learn to make themselves invaluable or invisible, and when to be the former and when to be the latter.”
It was father Pat who helped Wiles get his first job, working for his former New York Giants teammate turned politician, Jack Kemp, a beloved New York congressman at the time.
From there, Wiles went on to work for Ronald Reagan’s presidential campaign, before launching his career in Florida. There Wiles made a name for herself as a true political operator.
“I’ve described her as a wise politician, just with otherworldly political instincts,” said former Jacksonville Mayor John Delaney, for whom she worked. “Susie is a brilliant tactician, a facilitator.”
In 2008, Wiles became Duval County co-chairman of Senator John McCain’s unsuccessful presidential campaign. He then helped launch the career of businessman Rick Scott, before joining a major government lobbying firm.
Those who know Wiles best say she is an expert at shaping political narratives and does not hesitate to leak information to journalists when it suits her director’s interests. And, according to her associates, there’s something else to know about Wiles: Don’t piss her off.
Summerall (left), who died in 2013, wrote in his memoirs about his drinking and the extramarital affair that led to his divorce from Wiles’ mother, admitting: ‘My children grew up without me. I failed them as a father.’
‘She’s one of those people who has the old rule: Fuck me? No. Screw you,” veteran political operative Rick Wilson told Politico.
That’s a lesson Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis may have learned the hard way.
In 2012, Wiles took on DeSantis’ weakened congressional primary campaign and then helped him win his race for Florida governor in 2018.
But after DeSantis arrived at the governor’s mansion there was a spectacular fight. The reasons have never been made public, but there are suggestions that DeSantis and his wife Casey believed Wiles was given too much credit for his political ascendancy.
So, they went their separate professional ways in 2019, even as Wiles was still struggling with a personal crisis: a divorce from her husband, Lanny Wiles in 2017 (they have two daughters together).
It was a move DeSantis may now regret.
Fast forward to the 2024 Republican primaries: Wiles was on Team Trump.
The couple first met in 2015 and then reconnected in 2020 after Trump hit his own nadir following an election loss and the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
But now Trump was back and facing Wiles’ former client and a large group of Republican White House hopefuls.
Suddenly, stories began to emerge in the media describing DeSantis as socially awkward and even strangely awkward.
As far as DeSantis is concerned, Wiles “knows where the bodies are buried,” Roger Stone, a master of the dark political arts, told the New York Times.
In March 2023, it was reported that during a private plane trip from Tallahassee to Washington DC in March 2019, the governor of Florida allegedly ate pudding with three fingers.
DeSantis has denied that the incident ever occurred. But the narrative remained.
As far as DeSantis is concerned, Wiles “knows where the bodies are buried,” Roger Stone, a master of the dark political arts, told the New York Times.
Media commentators and critics began focusing on the way DeSantis appeared to grimace and grind his teeth while on the 2024 primary debate stage.
In April, he was compared to a bobblehead doll after vigorously shaking his head from side to side while sparring with combative reporters during a trip to Tokyo, Japan.
And that October, the political world was gripped by speculation that the 5-foot-11 DeSantis was wearing lifts on his cowboy boots, earning him the nickname ‘Tiny D.’
It’s unclear how these stories appeared in the media, but some have their suspicions.
“She knew,” former Florida Republican Congressman David Jolly told Politico, “exactly how to beat Ron DeSantis on behalf of her client.”
Now, Wiles will deploy his skills where and when they are needed most.
She and her boss have defeated all comers, but can they conquer the most critical challenge of all: governing?