Trump appoints Susie Wiles as chief of staff amid lobbying ties to tobacco industry

President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Susie Wiles as his White House chief of staff. Wiles has been a key strategist for Trump's campaign since 2021. However, she previously lobbied for the tobacco company Swisher International while managing the 2024 campaign. Wiles has not reported any lobbying activities since early 2024, but her firm, Mercury Public Affairs, has contracts with several food companies that may conflict with Trump's health initiatives. Mercury's clients include major brands like Kellogg's and Kraft-Heinz. Trump's transition team is led by billionaires Howard Lutnick and Linda McMahon. Lutnick has faced scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest related to his business ties. Elon Musk is also expected to play a significant role in the new administration, despite ongoing investigations into his companies.