- Trump selects Susie Wiles as White House chief of staff, marking the first woman to hold the position in his administration and signaling his push for fresh leadership
- The president-elect signals a potential rapprochement with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a move that contrasts with the Biden administration's stance on Russia, particularly over the Ukraine conflict
- Trump reiterates plans for mass deportations of undocumented migrants and a hardline stance on immigration as he prepares to take office in January
President-elect Donald Trump has made his first official appointment after his election victory, naming Susie Wiles, his campaign manager, as White House chief of staff.
This marks the first woman to hold the position in Trump's administration and underscores his intention to bring a fresh leadership style to the White House.
Wiles, a Florida native, is known for her tough, pragmatic approach and has earned widespread respect within Trump’s team.
In a statement, Trump praised Wiles for her "smart, innovative" leadership, calling her “universally admired and respected.”
Her appointment is seen as a significant move for Trump as he begins assembling his team for the next phase of his presidency.
The announcement comes just days after Trump’s landslide victory over Democratic opponent Kamala Harris, which is already sending ripples through both U.S. politics and international relations.
With two and a half months remaining before his official return to the White House, Trump’s victory is signaling a major shift from the policies of the outgoing Biden administration.
A shift in foreign policy
Trump has also signaled a dramatic change in U.S. foreign policy, particularly concerning Russia. Despite the ongoing war in Ukraine and Russia's tense relations with the West, Trump expressed a willingness to engage in direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Russian leader, who has previously praised Trump’s leadership, has called the president-elect “courageous” for his handling of an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in July.
Speaking with NBC News, Trump confirmed that although he had not yet spoken with Putin since his victory, he anticipated that the two would soon engage in discussions. This contrasts sharply with the icy silence between Putin and President Joe Biden since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Trump has repeatedly criticised U.S. support for Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression, and has signaled his intention to seek a peace deal that would end the conflict.
In a broader foreign policy context, Chinese President Xi Jinping also congratulated Trump on his victory, continuing the pattern of diplomatic outreach from autocratic leaders.
However, Trump’s stance on Russia and Ukraine has drawn criticism, particularly from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who called Trump’s calls for a ceasefire “dangerous.”
Nigerians take sides in US election as Trump, Harris go head to head for presidency
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the US election presented a historic opportunity for Donald Trump’s potential comeback which could break records despite numerous legal challenges and controversies.
Nigerians were divided in their support for Harris and Trump, TheRadar compiled reactions from the public.
