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President Donald Trump hailed White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles as a “total winner” in her battle with cancer after she revealed she was diagnosed nine weeks ago while accepting a major award Thursday night.
“I've been so inspired to see his courage and strength in recent weeks, and he's been fighting the battle with cancer and he's been fighting it with great determination,” Trump said in a pre-recorded video message. “It was an early diagnosis, so he'll be in good shape.”
Wiles said when he spoke on stage that he will continue to work after being diagnosed with this disease.
“I come to work every day. I do my job, I don't complain, and I think that sets an example, even for the people I work with,” said Wiles.
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President Donald Trump hosts a lunch with members of the Kennedy Center Board as Chief of Staff Susie Wiles heads to the White House in Washington, DC, on March 16, 2026. (Annabelle GORDON / AFP via Getty Images)
Trump surprised Wiles with the video as she accepted the Independent Women's Forum Barbara K. Olson Woman of Valor Award at an event in Washington, DC.
He praised her as “the first female chief of staff in American history” and “one of the best White House chiefs in history.”
“I mean the best,” Trump said, adding that he was “very grateful” for “his friendship, loyalty and support every day.”
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White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles listens as President Donald Trump announces the construction of a US precious mineral storage facility in the Oval Office of the White House on Feb. 2, 2026, Washington, DC. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Wiles said he didn't know the video was intended for the event, even though he was in for a moment while Trump was recording it.
“I went in when he was filming, but I don't know what it was for, I just left through the back door,” he said.
Trump credited Wiles for playing a key role in each of his presidential campaigns, “especially in 2024,” and said his administration's success came “with his help and his leadership.”
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President Donald Trump and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles participate in the Invest America roundtable in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, DC, Monday, June 9, 2025. (Yuri Gripas/Abaca/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“Susie, we have a problem. I say go to Susie,” Trump said. “We owe him a lot and what he has done is amazing for our country.”
Wiles, a self-described lifelong Republican, said his decision to support Trump in 2016 was one of the biggest risks of his career.
“I was looking for someone to interrupt,” Wiles said. “I looked around at the troublemakers in the field and said, I think Donald Trump is the one.”
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Asked about his role now, Wiles said, “This is the path God chose for me. And I'm here, and I'm doing the best I can every day.”
The event was held on Thursday at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington, DC
Fox News Digital's Ashley Carnahan and Alex Nitzberg contributed to this report.
