United States President Donald Trump announced on Monday that White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. The 68-year-old political strategist, who made history in January 2025 as the first woman to hold the position, received the diagnosis recently following early detection efforts. Trump shared the development via Truth Social, stating that her prognosis is excellent and that she is currently under the care of a fantastic medical team.
Despite the diagnosis and an impending weeks-long treatment regimen, Wiles will not be stepping down from her role in the administration. She intends to maintain her responsibilities and will continue working virtually full time at the White House throughout her recovery. In a public statement provided to The New York Times, Wiles expressed deep gratitude for the early detection of her illness, noting that she now joins the nearly one in eight women in the United States who face a breast cancer diagnosis.
Donald Trump announced that White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Wiles will undergo treatment and expressed confidence in her recovery. The announcement said the cancer was detected at an… pic.twitter.com/AMfQgKP0eb
— APT News (@APT__News) March 16, 2026
The announcement resonates across the broader world of politics given Wiles’ extensive influence within the Republican Party. Widely credited as the architect of Trump’s political comeback, she served as the co-campaign manager for his victorious 2024 presidential run and previously helped secure his 2016 victory in Florida. Born Susan Summerall, she began her political career on Ronald Reagan’s 1980 campaign and built a formidable reputation in Florida by managing the successful gubernatorial campaigns of Rick Scott in 2010 and Ron DeSantis in 2018.
According to The Washington Post, the disclosure of her illness arrives amid ongoing national discussions regarding healthcare access and preventative care. The announcement coincides with stalled bipartisan congressional efforts introduced last year aimed at eliminating out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic breast cancer screenings.