In a political showdown straight out of a high-stakes drama, a fierce competition unfolded at Mar-a-Lago as three powerhouse women vied for the coveted role of White House chief of staff under President Donald Trump, according to a new book.
Immediately after Trump's victory, now-Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Education Secretary Linda McMahon raced to his Florida estate to pitch themselves for the chief of staff position, only to be outmaneuvered by longtime aide Susie Wiles, who ultimately clinched the historic role as the first woman in that post, as the Daily Mail reports.
This juicy tidbit of political chess comes straight from excerpts of Jonathan Karl’s forthcoming book, Retribution: Donald Trump and the Campaign that Changed America, which spills the tea on the behind-the-scenes maneuvering.
In the days following the election, proximity to Trump became the golden ticket to securing a spot in his administration, and for Rollins, McMahon, and Wiles, it was a sprint to gain his ear.
Rollins, who later took the helm at the Department of Agriculture, and McMahon, now leading the Education Department, stormed Mar-a-Lago with determination, each hoping to convince Trump they were the right fit for chief of staff.
Meanwhile, Susie Wiles, dubbed the "Ice Maiden" for her unflappable demeanor and sharp political instincts, was already steps ahead, leveraging her deep ties to Trump’s inner circle.
Wiles, a seasoned Florida political consultant who joined Trump’s team back in 2016 as state director and later co-managed his recent campaign, had the advantage of constant proximity to the president.
During a pivotal meeting just days after the election, Trump offered Wiles the chief of staff role, a position she accepted with poise, making history as the first woman to hold it.
But the path wasn’t without its obstacles, as Wiles and her allies reportedly played hardball to ensure her competitors didn’t steal her thunder at the eleventh hour.
According to Karl’s book, while Trump met with Wiles, several of her loyal campaign aides orchestrated a plan to stall Rollins and McMahon from interrupting the crucial discussion.
These aides, many of whom had worked closely with Wiles, even arranged a distracting phone call with Vice President-elect JD Vance to slow down the two contenders as they marched through Mar-a-Lago.
By the time Rollins and McMahon finally reached Trump, the deal was sealed -- Wiles had already been offered the job, leaving her rivals to settle for their respective Cabinet roles.
Since taking office, Trump has been effusive in his praise for Wiles, reportedly dubbing her "the most powerful woman in the world" and "the strongest woman in the world" for her command over White House 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,” said White House spokesperson Steven Cheung.
Well, if that’s not a glowing endorsement, what is? While some might smirk at the hyperbole, it’s hard to deny Wiles’ track record as one of Trump’s longest-serving aides, proving that loyalty and savvy can outshine even the most aggressive progressive agendas in Washington.
