In the political chess game that followed Donald Trump’s election victory, Susie Wiles, a trusted aide and advisor, strategically positioned herself to secure the influential role of White House Chief of Staff. As reported in Jonathan Karl’s upcoming book, both Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Education Secretary Linda McMahon hurried to Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s Florida retreat, in hopes of convincing him they were the best choice for the coveted position. At that time, proximity to Trump was seen as a key factor in securing a spot in his administration.

The competition was fierce as Rollins, Wiles, and McMahon all vied for Trump’s attention. However, Wiles, often referred to as the ‘Ice Maiden’ for her composed and strategic nature, demonstrated her political savvy. According to Karl’s book, “Retribution: Donald Trump and the Campaign that Changed America,” Wiles met with Trump just days after the election on November 7, where she was offered the role of Chief of Staff. She accepted, becoming the first woman to hold the position. To maintain her hold on this powerful role, Wiles reportedly employed some calculated moves against her potential rivals.

During Wiles’ meeting with the president-elect, several Trump aides, many of whom had collaborated with her throughout the campaign, worked to thwart Rollins and McMahon’s attempts to interrupt. A careful plan was executed to not only prevent the two cabinet hopefuls from joining the meeting but also to delay their progress, ensuring Wiles had the uninterrupted opportunity to secure her position.

The aides orchestrated a phone call with Vice President-elect JD Vance to impede both McMahon and Rollins as they marched through Mar-a-Lago to meet Trump. Unfortunately for them, it was too late by the time they made it to the president-elect, he had already offered Wiles the position. Trump has been very complimentary of Wiles since taking office, reportedly calling her ‘the most powerful woman in the world’ and the ‘strongest woman in the world,’ noting her control over the White House and administration affairs.

‘Susie was the only choice for Chief of Staff, and she was the perfect choice. President Trump picked someone who has been loyal from Day 1 and there is nobody more talented and respected than Susie,’ White House spokesperson Steven Cheung told the Daily Beast. ‘There’s a reason why President Trump calls her the ‘Most Powerful Woman in the World’—because she is.’ Wiles, for her part, is one of the longest lasting aides still in Trump’s inner-circle.

She originally joined Trump’s team for his 2016 campaign, when she served as Florida state director. During his 2024 campaign, Wiles co-managed Trump’s campaign with Chris LaCavita, and was named as Trump’s senior advisor. Her constant proximity to the president likely played a role in her landing her White House gig.

Rollins, meanwhile, was tapped to lead the Department of Agriculture after previously serving on Trump’s Economic Advisory Council and as Domestic Policy Council director in 2016. She also led the America First Policy Institute, a Trump-aligned nonprofit where many former aides fled to work in early 2021, before rejoining the administration. McMahon, on the other hand, despite her longstanding connections to Trump through the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), which she co- founded, and serving in the Republican’s first-term Cabinet, was later granted a role atop the Education Department.