Trump Susie Wiles chief: Campaign manager takes on the historic role with a clear vision for Oval Office access management

Donald Trump has officially announced his campaign manager, Susie Wiles, as his new White House chief of staff, marking the first time a woman has held this influential role. Trump praised Wiles for her dedication, calling her “tough, smart, and innovative” and credited her for playing a pivotal role in his victory. The president-elect highlighted her role in his previous campaigns in 2016 and 2020, saying she had “helped me achieve one of the greatest political victories in American history.”

Wiles, a seasoned political strategist and daughter of the late NFL broadcaster Pat Summerall, stood out for her disciplined management style throughout the campaign. She gained Trump’s trust by enforcing structure and keeping fringe influences at bay, often taking on the challenging task of managing access to Trump’s inner circle. Known for her no-nonsense approach, Wiles even controlled the manifest for Trump’s private plane, a position that sometimes required her to limit certain people’s access to Trump when he found it difficult to say “no” himself.

As she prepares to step into her new role, sources report that Wiles laid out specific terms with Trump, particularly her demand for more control over who has access to the Oval Office. Trump agreed to this condition, acknowledging past issues when unvetted individuals were able to influence him on various issues. According to insiders, Wiles’ goal is to prevent the type of unstructured advisory flow that often disrupted Trump’s first administration.

The appointment also represents a breakthrough in American political history, as the chief of staff position, second only to the president within the West Wing hierarchy, has never before been held by a woman. Other high-profile government roles have seen women ascend to the top, from Vice President Kamala Harris to positions across the Cabinet and House leadership. However, the roles of chief of staff, Pentagon leader, joint chiefs of staff, and Supreme Court chief justice remain largely male-dominated.

During the election night event in West Palm Beach, Trump publicly thanked Wiles for her behind-the-scenes efforts. While she opted to stay in the background, her co-campaign manager Chris LaCivita took the microphone, a move that underscores Wiles’ preference for strategic influence over the public limelight. This quality has earned her respect from key Trump allies, including Turning Point USA CEO Charlie Kirk, who endorsed her as “disciplined, smart, and not seeking the limelight.”

Wiles’ appointment also came after Brooke Rollins, a former Trump aide and current head of the America First Policy Institute, stepped aside from the running, acknowledging that Wiles had established herself as the clear choice for the role. Rollins will likely still have a significant role in Trump’s second term, though the White House chief of staff position is now Wiles’ to command.

In taking on this role, Wiles aims to instil a greater degree of structure and discipline, reflecting the well-managed campaign she led. Allies close to Trump have already expressed optimism that Wiles’ experience and approach will bring about an organized and efficient White House as Trump returns to the presidency.