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White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles said Monday she has been diagnosed with breast cancer, adding that the illness was detected early and that doctors have given her a strong prognosis.
Wiles announced the diagnosis in a statement released by the White House, saying she plans to continue serving in her role while undergoing treatment.
“I am grateful to have an outstanding team of doctors who detected the cancer early and are guiding my care, and I am encouraged by a strong prognosis,” Wiles said. “I am also deeply thankful for the support and encouragement of President Trump as I undergo treatment and continue serving in my role as White House Chief of Staff.”
President Donald Trump first revealed Wiles’ diagnosis in a post on Truth Social, saying she would begin treatment immediately but would remain in her position.
“She has a fantastic medical team, and her prognosis is excellent,” Trump wrote. “During the treatment period, she will be spending virtually full time at the White House, which makes me, as President, very happy.”
Trump later referenced Wiles’ condition while speaking to reporters ahead of a board meeting at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, describing the diagnosis as “a little, a minor difficulty” and adding that she had just begun treatment.
Messages of support from administration officials
Other members of the administration and congressional leaders quickly expressed support for Wiles after the announcement.
Vice President JD Vance wrote on social media that his family “is praying for our dear friend as she takes on her next fight.”
White House Deputy Chief of Staff James Blair praised Wiles in a post on X, saying “she will win this battle with grace.”
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt also offered support, describing Wiles as “one of the nicest people I’ve ever met” and saying she “epitomizes what it means to be a strong leader.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, said his family was praying for Wiles’ “quick and complete recovery.”
Key role in Trump administration
Wiles has served as chief of staff since the beginning of Trump’s second term and is widely viewed as one of the most influential figures in the administration.
Before joining the White House, she served as co-campaign manager for Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign and previously worked on political campaigns for Ron DeSantis and Rick Scott in Florida.
Wiles first began working with Trump ahead of the 2016 United States presidential election, helping the campaign navigate Florida’s political landscape.
The White House chief of staff serves as the president’s top aide and gatekeeper, managing the flow of information and personnel between the president and the rest of the administration.
Wiles is the first woman to hold the position.
Breast cancer remains most common cancer among women
Aside from skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among women in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society.
The risk increases with age, though diagnoses have been rising in younger women in recent years. When detected early and treated before spreading, the five-year survival rate is about 90%, the organization says.
