White House chief of staff Susie Wiles announced in a statement Monday that she was diagnosed with breast cancer in the past week, adding that the cancer was detected "early" and that she was "encouraged by a strong prognosis."
Wiles will continue serving as chief of staff, she said in the statement.
"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," she 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 announced Wiles' diagnosis in a Truth Social post, saying that she would begin treatment immediately and would remain in her role.
"She has a fantastic medical team, and her prognosis is excellent!" he said. adding, “During the treatment period, she will be spending virtually full time at the White House, which makes me, as President, very happy!"
Trump referenced Wiles' cancer in remarks to reporters before a Kennedy Center board meeting later Monday, saying she "announced a little, a minor difficulty" and would "be around for a long time." He added that Wiles, seated to his left at the meeting, "just started" treatment.
Aside from skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the U.S., according to the American Cancer Society. The risk of developing breast cancer rises with age, although rates have been increasing among younger women. If diagnosed and treated at an early stage, before it has spread to other parts of the body, the five-year survival rate is about 90%.
Other members of the administration and lawmakers expressed their sympathies for Wiles in social media posts shortly after Trump's announcement.
Vice President JD Vance said in a post to X 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 to X, saying, "she will win this battle with grace." White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a post that Wiles "epitomizes what it means to be a strong leader" and is "one of the nicest people I’ve ever met."
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said his family "joins with everyone else in praying for our dear friend Susie to make a quick and complete recovery."
Wiles has served as Trump’s chief of staff since the beginning of his second term. She also served as the president’s co-campaign manager for his 2024 campaign.
She previously worked on campaigns for Gov. Ron DeSantis and Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., when he ran for governor. Wiles began working with Trump ahead of the 2016 election, helping him navigate Florida politics.
The chief of staff is the top staffer role in the White House, serving as a gateway between other administration officials and the president. Wiles is the first woman to serve in the position.
