Susie Wiles facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Susie Wiles
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Wiles in 2025
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| 32nd White House Chief of Staff | |
| Assumed office January 20, 2025 |
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| President | Donald Trump |
| Deputy |
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| Preceded by | Jeff Zients |
| Chief of Staff to the Mayor of Jacksonville | |
| In office November 20, 1997 – November 17, 2000 |
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| Mayor | John Delaney |
| Preceded by | Rick Mullaney |
| Succeeded by | Audrey McKibbin Moran |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Susan L. Summerall
May 14, 1957 Lake City, Florida, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Lanny Wiles
(m. 1984; div. 2017) |
| Children | 2 |
| Parent |
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| Education | University of Maryland, College Park (BA) |
Susan L. Wiles (born May 14, 1957), also known as Susie Wiles, is an American political expert. She helps politicians with their campaigns and public relations. Since 2025, she has been the 32nd White House Chief of Staff. This is a very important job, and she is the first woman to hold this position. She is a member of the Republican Party.
Wiles graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park in 1978. She started her career working for a New York representative. Later, she worked for Ronald Reagan's presidential campaign in 1980. She also worked in the White House and for the Secretary of Labor. In 1985, she moved to Florida with her family. She helped with political campaigns and worked for the mayor of Jacksonville.
Wiles became well-known for managing political campaigns. She helped Rick Scott become governor of Florida in 2010. She also played a key role in Donald Trump's presidential campaigns in 2016 and 2024. After Trump won the 2024 election, he chose her to be his White House Chief of Staff.
Contents
Early Life and Education (1957–1978)
Susan L. Summerall was born on May 14, 1957, in Lake City, Florida. Her father, Pat Summerall, was a famous professional football player. He later became a well-known television sportscaster. Susie was the first of three children.
Her family moved several times because of her father's career. They lived in New York and Connecticut before settling in Saddle River, New Jersey. Her father often traveled for his sports work. Susie played basketball and tennis and was part of the Girl Scouts of the USA. She graduated from the Academy of the Holy Angels in New Jersey in 1975. She then earned her degree from the University of Maryland, College Park in 1978.
Career in Politics
Starting in Government (1978–1984)
In May 1978, Susie Summerall began working for New York representative Jack Kemp. Her father knew Kemp from their time playing football together. She started as a receptionist and later became an aide.
She then joined Ronald Reagan's presidential campaign in 1980. She worked in his scheduling office. By 1981, she was working in the White House Office of Scheduling and Advance. She helped President Reagan prepare for important trips. She also worked as a personal secretary for Raymond J. Donovan, who was the Secretary of Labor. She left this role by 1984.
Working in Florida (1992–2015)
In 1985, Susie Wiles moved to Ponte Vedra Beach. She worked for the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. She also led the public relations team for Jacksonville mayor Jake Godbold.
Later, she helped with Tillie Fowler's campaign for Congress in 1992. After Fowler won, Wiles managed her local offices. In 1995, Wiles started working for Jacksonville mayor John Delaney. She became his director of communications. In 1997, she became the city's first female chief of staff. She helped with important city projects like the Better Jacksonville Plan. She left her job in 2000 to spend more time with her family.
Wiles continued to work in public relations and for other politicians. She advised Mayor John Peyton on important city programs. She also worked for marketing firms and helped with local elections.
In 2010, Wiles became the campaign manager for Rick Scott when he ran for governor of Florida. After he won, she helped with his transition into office. She also managed Jon Huntsman Jr.'s presidential campaign in 2012 for a short time. Later, she supported Mitt Romney's presidential campaign.
Working with Trump and DeSantis (2015–2021)
In October 2015, Susie Wiles joined Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign in Florida. She played a very important role in connecting Trump with local leaders. In September 2016, she became his Florida campaign manager. She helped Trump win the state of Florida in the election.
After Trump became president in 2017, Wiles moved to Washington, D.C.. In 2018, she was hired to lead Ron DeSantis's campaign for governor of Florida. Her work helped DeSantis improve his chances of winning. She also helped with his transition team after he won.
Later, there were some disagreements between Wiles and some of DeSantis's allies. This led to her leaving Trump's 2020 campaign for a period.
Advising Donald Trump (2021–2024)
In July 2020, Wiles rejoined the Trump campaign as an advisor. Her influence grew, especially in helping Trump with his campaign strategy in Florida.
After Trump lost the 2020 election, Wiles was chosen to lead his fundraising efforts. She managed many of Trump's activities after his presidency. This included his travel, fundraising, and supporting other politicians in the 2022 elections. She helped decide which candidates Trump would support.
In November 2022, Trump announced he would run for president again in 2024. Wiles was named as one of his campaign managers. She was considered a very important voice within his campaign. She also helped with other political campaigns, like for the chair of the Republican National Committee.
White House Chief of Staff (2025–present)
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After Donald Trump won the 2024 presidential election, he announced that Susie Wiles would be his White House Chief of Staff. She officially started this important role on January 20, 2025. She is the first woman to ever hold this position.
As Chief of Staff, Wiles helps manage the White House staff and advises the President. She has been involved in setting up the new administration. For example, she helped decide who would fill key roles in the White House.
In February 2025, Wiles was involved in discussions about a prisoner exchange between Russia and the United States. She was also appointed to the board of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. In June 2025, reports mentioned that Wiles and Vice President JD Vance encouraged Elon Musk to resolve his disagreements with President Trump.
See also
In Spanish: Susie Wiles para niños
