Susie Wiles, the unassuming but formidable force behind Donald Trump’s third presidential bid, operates within her discretion and influence, staying out of the spotlight. I have been exercising it. Now, as the president-elect steers his way back to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Mr. Wiles finds himself in an unprecedented position. On Thursday, President Trump named her the next White House chief of staff. This role cemented her as the most trusted advisor, and she is the first woman to hold that title.
For the 67-year-old Wiles, the new title is both historic and unlikely. A strategist known more for her quiet calculations than for her public actions, she seems at first glance out of place in President Trump and his vast trajectory as a fame-seeker, celebrity, flame-monger, and megalomaniac. . A grandmother and dog lover, she enjoys baking and bird watching.
In public, she hides behind a polarizing aviator. When people talk to her, what they often hear back is themselves.
President Trump invited Susie to speak at his victory party in West Palm Beach on Wednesday, saying, “Susie likes to be in the back.” She declined and handed the microphone to co-campaign manager Chris Lacivita.
But for many of President Trump’s closest allies, it’s Wiles’ unassuming style that guarantees her longevity. Since President Trump left Washington in turmoil, Mr. Wiles has deftly steered his political machine out of Mar-a-Lago, instilling a level of discipline and order rarely associated with the former president.
She is competent, amiable, respected and feared, a powerful combination in the world of former presidents. Those close to her have suggested that her success with Trump lies in her balanced approach. She refrains from trying to stop him, but she knows when to push back.
Meanwhile, President Trump gave her the apt nickname “Ice Maiden.”
Continue reading about Trump’s White House Chief of Staff selection.
