Susie Wiles, the understated yet formidable force behind Donald Trump’s third presidential bid, has operated in a sphere of discretion, wielding influence without the spotlight. Now, as the president-elect pivots toward his return to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Wiles finds herself in an unprecedented position: On Thursday, Trump named her his incoming White House chief of staff, a role that cements her as his most trusted adviser and makes her the first woman to ever hold the title.
For Wiles, 67, the new title is as improbable as it is historic. A strategist known more for quiet calculations than public-facing gestures, at first glance she appears a mismatch for Trump and his colossal orbit of fame-seekers, celebrities, firebrands and megalomaniacs. A grandmother and dog lover, she likes to bake and bird-watch.
In public, she hides behind a pair of polarized aviators. When people talk to her, the person they often see back is themselves.
“Susie likes to stay sort of in the back,” Trump said Wednesday as he called on her to address his West Palm Beach victory party. She declined and passed off the mic to co-campaign manager Chris LaCivita.
Yet, for many of Trump’s closest allies, it is precisely Wiles’ unassuming style that has assured her longevity. Since Trump’s turbulent departure from Washington, Wiles has deftly steered his political apparatus from Mar-a-Lago, instilling a level of discipline and order rarely associated with the former president.
She is competent, affable, respected and feared, a powerful combination in the former president’s world. Those close to her suggest that her success with Trump lies in a balanced approach: She refrains from trying to restrain him but knows when to push back.
Trump, in turn, has given her a fitting moniker: “The Ice Maiden.”
Keep reading about Trump’s pick for White House chief of staff.
