In a stunning revelation, Susie Wiles, the pioneering first woman to serve as White House Chief of Staff, has set the political world abuzz with a candid and explosive interview. Published in Vanity Fair on Tuesday, 16 December, the interview sees the veteran strategist speaking her mind on a range of contentious topics, from her assessment of US President Donald Trump's personality to the Epstein files, tariffs, mass deportation, and even tech mogul Elon Musk.
The Bombshell Claims About Donald Trump
Wiles, 68, did not mince words when describing the former President she served. She notably stated that Trump possesses "an alcoholic’s personality". Elaborating on his character, she added that the President "operates [with] a view that there’s nothing he can’t do. Nothing, zero, nothing." These remarks have sent shockwaves through political circles, given her integral role in Trump's campaigns.
Trump himself has previously heaped praise on Wiles, calling her "tough, smart, innovative, and universally admired and respected." He highlighted her historic appointment, stating it was a "well-deserved honour" to have her as the first-ever female Chief of Staff. Wiles was instrumental in both his 2016 and 2020 election campaigns, with Trump crediting her for helping achieve "one of the greatest political victories in American history."
Who is Susie Wiles? A Political Legacy
Born Susan Summerall Wiles in Lake City, Florida, she is the daughter of the late NFL legend and sportscaster Pat Summerall. Raised in Stamford, Connecticut, and Saddle River, New Jersey, she is the eldest of three siblings. Her political career is illustrious, having worked with figures like Ronald Reagan and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis before her landmark appointment by Trump.
Family, Marriage, and Financial Struggles
The Vanity Fair interview also turned the spotlight on Wiles' personal life. She met her future husband, Lanny Wiles—a seasoned GOP advance man 14 years her senior—during Ronald Reagan's presidential campaign in the early 1980s. Bonding over politics, they married in 1984 and moved to Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
Wiles expressed a desire to "start a family and a life outside politics," but the couple's over three-decade-long marriage was navigated alongside demanding political careers. It faced significant challenges, including filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 1991 following Lanny's business setbacks. Financial troubles also led to litigation where prosecutors sought to garnish Susie's wages from her job with the mayor of Jacksonville, Florida—a case that was later settled.
Despite resolving the debts, the strains persisted. Susie Wiles and Lanny Wiles divorced in 2017 after 33 years of marriage. The couple have two daughters, Katie and Caroline. Notably, Caroline has followed her parents into the political arena.
The two-part interview paints a complex portrait of a woman who broke the ultimate glass ceiling in American politics while managing a tumultuous personal journey, now choosing to speak her truth with remarkable frankness.
