Susie Wiles has a singular standing in American politics. She now functions as the White House chief of staff, putting her at the center of the Trump administration. Renowned for her elegance and depth of experience, Wiles has performed thousands of interviews over her long career. Earlier this month, she took part in a spellbinding series of conversations with Vanity Fair magazine. In these candid conversations, she unloaded her harsh impressions of Donald Trump, depicting him as having “an alcoholic’s personality” and a strong eye for payback.
Over the past two decades, Wiles has become one of the most powerful women in America. She now co-chairs Trump’s successful campaign for the 2024 general election with Chris LaCivita. Her political instinct has assisted in some of the most closely watched moves to national campaigns in years. In particular, she was instrumental in Ron DeSantis getting elected as Florida’s governor and ran Jon Huntsman’s 2012 presidential campaign. Wiles had a hand in shaping Donald Trump’s successful 2016 campaign in Florida. He was behind the successful bid by businessman Rick Scott to win the governor’s mansion.
There’s a certain pact that Wiles has with Trump that’s interesting. It happens to be characterized by many as deeper than any other White House chief of staff had — or should have had — with the former president. Having this close bond has helped her to operate a far more organized and efficient operation in the White House. Chris Whipple, a political expert, noted that “she certainly has a kind of magic with [Donald Trump] and there’s a bond that none of her predecessors enjoyed with the result that she’s run a much tighter ship in the West Wing.”
“I’ve known Susie all my political life. There is 0.000 chance that this incredibly sophisticated and experienced political operative did 11 interviews on tape and did not know exactly what she was doing.” – Rick Wilson
Despite speculation about the intentions behind her statements, Wiles maintains that she is not an enabler of Trump’s more controversial traits. In her own words, she stated, “I’m not an enabler. I’m not a bitch. I try to be thoughtful about what I even engage in. I guess time will tell whether I’ve been effective.”
Yet her effectiveness as chief of staff is being called into question. While Whipple is quick to acknowledge her success in contrast to members of Trump’s first term, he is deeply concerned that she has not been willing or able to tell the president all of the important, hard truths.
“But the big question for Susie Wiles is: has she been able to perform the most important duty of a White House chief, which is to tell the president hard truths?” – Chris Whipple
Wiles started her political career in Washington, working for New York—which became Washington—congressman Jack Kemp during the 1970s. She has previously shared her talent on Ronald Reagan’s campaign and in his White House, as a scheduler. That breadth of experience has deeply impacted her ethos around public service and elected office.
Even with all this power and influence, Wiles is still a very private person, not looking for the spotlight shining on her. Her colleague Peyton, himself an extraordinary character, described her as being “a great sense of humour, extraordinarily witty, but is very private. This personality trait of hers is what makes her unique among all other political leaders.
Her work has not come without controversy. I’ve learned, as Tara Setmayer often tells me, that political advocacy teaches people that you should take the money and run. Politics is a pretty nasty business. Power operates like a powerful drug, inducing the majority to sell out their principles.
“They were using their positions and their Maga advocacy for political gain and it worked for them.” – Tara Setmayer
Wiles is now steering a show with her performance in one of the most chaotic administrations in memory. Questions remain concerning her ability to navigate protecting loyalty to Trump from concerns of cogent candid advice. Her future impact will likely be based on how effectively she’s able to maintain this fragile balance.