White House chief of staff Susie Wiles has breast cancer but will keep
working through treatment
[March 17, 2026]
By COLLIN BINKLEY
WASHINGTON (AP) — White House chief of staff Susie Wiles has been
diagnosed with early stage breast cancer but plans to continue working
through her treatment, retaining her place as one of President Donald
Trump's closest aides during a period of political turbulence.
Wiles, 68, announced on Monday that she had been diagnosed over the
previous week. She gave no indication she would pull back from her work
as she undergoes treatment.
“Nearly one in eight women in the United States will face this
diagnosis,” said Wiles, who's the first woman to hold her position.
“Every day, these women continue to raise their families, go to work,
and serve their communities with strength and determination. I now join
their ranks.”
In a social media post, Trump described Wiles as “one of the strongest
people I know” and said her prognosis is “excellent.”
“During the treatment period, she will be spending virtually full time
at the White House, which makes me, as President, very happy!” Trump
said on his Truth Social platform. “She will soon be better than ever!”
Within 20 minutes of Trump's post, Wiles was sitting alongside the
president at a meeting of the Kennedy Center board of trustees. In
opening remarks, Trump said Wiles had already begun treatment and
described her diagnosis as a “minor difficulty" that she would overcome.
It comes as the Republican president confronts mounting challenges on
global and national fronts, from the war in Iran and soaring oil prices
to this fall’s midterm elections and Americans' concerns over
affordability.
Wiles is a longtime Trump ally who rose from his campaign co-chair to
his closest adviser and counsel. She spent decades as a lobbyist and
political operative in Florida and led his 2016 effort in the state.
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White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles attends a board meeting of
the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center For The Performing Arts in the
East Room of the White House, Monday, March 16, 2026, in Washington.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
 She mostly shuns the spotlight but
drew attention in December with an unusually candid Vanity Fair
interview in which she made critical remarks about Trump
administration leaders including Vice President JD Vance and
Attorney General Pam Bondi. Trump underscored his trust in Wiles in
the aftermath, calling the interview a “hit piece” and describing
Wiles as “fantastic.”
More than 300,000 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast
cancer this year, according to the American Cancer Society.
Treatment varies depending on how early the cancer is caught but
usually involves either removing the tumor, followed by radiation,
or removing the breast, what’s called a mastectomy. The cancer’s
stage, subtype and genetic makeup can help determine if additional
treatment of the original tumor is needed, or certain therapy to
help prevent recurrence.
In his Monday post, Trump reiterated that Wiles is “tough and deeply
committed to serving the American People.”
“Melania and I are with her in every way, and we look forward to
working with Susie on the many big and wonderful things that are
happening for the benefit of our Country,” Trump said, referring to
first lady Melania Trump.
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AP Medical Writer Lauran Neergaard contributed to this report.
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