With Susie Wiles’s Departure, Big Business Loses a Sympathetic Ear

Lobbyists and surrogates for major corporations have long sought Susie Wiles' guidance when seeking to avoid policies they perceive as harmful, according to people familiar with the matter. Wiles, who served as President Trump's chief of staff since 2021, has been a consistent point of contact for business leaders and advocacy groups aiming to influence the administration.

Trump's departing chief of staff has been particularly influential among Wall Street executives, with JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon and Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser among her frequent correspondents. Additionally, Wiles played a key role in reconciling Elon Musk with President Trump after their public dispute, and her support helped Musk donate $500 million to Republican midterm efforts.

Despite her reputation as a sympathetic ear for corporations, Wiles sometimes struggled to sway the administration's policies. For instance, after imposing tariffs, a healthcare trade group urged Wiles to lobby for tariff reductions, but the tariffs remained in place. Wiles, a Florida native, has held her position longer than any of her predecessors during Trump's first term, a period marked by her ability to foster a more stable atmosphere within the White House compared to the chaotic first term.

Critics have accused Wiles of prioritizing business interests over the administration's agenda, citing instances where she allegedly supported measures that were politically beneficial but less favorable to specific industries.