Trump Makes History with Chief of Staff Appointment

There were a handful of names atop the list to be Donald Trump’s chief of staff.  

I would have bet everything on that person being Kevin McCarthy when the name was called, but Trump went in a different direction, making history in the process.  

The Clear Favorite 

The moment that Kevin McCarthy issued his resignation, I was convinced it was so that he could start setting the table as Donald Trump’s chief of staff.  

The regular media started to think along those lines in October, with a report in the New York Post calling McCarthy a “dark horse” candidate for the position. I remember laughing at the characterization because I had been saying that for almost a year.  

Then came reports that McCarthy was not interested in an administration post in the Trump administration, but I was sure that was a smokescreen.  

McCarthy himself stated that he was not interested, stating, “I don’t want a role in the administration … even if he asks me. I think I’m better to serve him from the outside … I want to help the country [be] successful.” 

But again, I thought it was all just a cover. Even though I do not like McCarthy at all, I was positive that Trump was going to use him because of his relationships on the Hill. Well, apparently that did not really impress Trump.  

Making History 

Trump wasted no time getting his chief of staff in place. And my understanding is that Trump’s transition team has been working overtime to get a much better team in place for Trump than what he had in 2016.  

Basically, we are being told that we are not going to see all those RINOs and establishment members in the administration this time around. If you are not on board with Trump 100%, you are out of the running.  

So, instead of McCarthy, Trump named Susie Wiles as his chief of staff. Wiles is a longtime GOP operative who was the brains behind Trump’s 2024 campaign, which was run exceedingly better than the 2020 campaign.  

Trump was more on point, the marketing strategy clearly went well over expectations, landing Trump back in the White House. She is not a name you hear about often because while she likes to pull the strings, she does not crave the limelight, making the appointment even more shocking.  

To that point, on election night, Trump had stated, "Let me also express my tremendous appreciation for Susie [Wiles] and Chris [LaCivita], on the job you did. Susie, come, Susie. Susie likes to stay sort of in the back, let me tell you. The ice baby. We call her the ice baby. Susie likes to stay in the background. She's not in the background."   

Different World 

Just about every chief of staff that Donald Trump had during his first term in office was in front of the camera on a regular basis. I would not expect that to be the case with Wiles. People who do not crave publicity and the limelight do not suddenly change. 

Unlike all of Trump’s former chiefs of staff, Wiles does not appear to have an agenda, and she is clearly loyal to Trump, so I expect her to stay true to herself and stay behind the scenes, pulling the strings, and setting Trump up for success. I will say one more thing, however... if you cross Trump in any way by leaking information, I would all but guarantee Wiles will find out who you are and send you packing. I am completely on board with this pick, and wish her the best of luck.