Trump Endorses New RNC Chair & Co-Chair
Former President Donald Trump has announced his support for North Carolina GOP Chair Michael Whatley to succeed Ronna McDaniel as the leader of the Republican National Committee. According to a Republican operative familiar with Trump’s decision, the endorsement of Whatley comes after weeks of reports that the former president was growing frustrated with McDaniel.
Trump’s endorsement of Whatley signifies his desire for change at the top of the RNC. In addition to supporting Whatley, Trump will also endorse Lara Trump, his daughter-in-law, to serve as co-chairwoman of the committee. Lara Trump has been a longtime on-air surrogate for the former president and was briefly mentioned as a possible North Carolina Senate candidate during the 2022 campaign.
While Trump’s endorsement does not guarantee Whatley or Lara Trump will automatically be given the roles, it does carry significant weight within the party. The decision will ultimately be left up to a vote among committee members, but it is expected that they will support the preferences of the presidential nominee.
Trump’s efforts to restructure the RNC don’t stop at the top. He has also tapped Chris LaCivita to serve as chief operating officer for the committee. LaCivita, who is currently co-campaign manager for the Trump campaign, will also continue in that role while splitting his time between Trump headquarters in Palm Beach, Florida, and RNC offices in Washington, D.C.
The Republican operative shared that the decision to endorse Whatley was partly due to his focus on one of Trump’s key issues: baseless allegations of election fraud. Whatley has consistently argued that elections are prone to fraud and has defended Trump’s involvement in the Jan. 6 Capitol siege, placing blame on the rioters rather than the former president.
Whatley made headlines earlier this year when he pushed to censure then Sen. Richard Burr for his vote in favor of Trump’s second impeachment. This, along with his steadfast support for Trump, likely led to the former president’s endorsement.
In a statement, Trump emphasized the importance of the RNC’s role in future elections and the need for the committee to be a “good partner.” He added that the RNC must ensure fair and transparent elections, get out the vote in all areas of the country, and work closely with his campaign to secure a victory in upcoming elections.
LaCivita’s new role within the RNC will also focus on key battleground states. As co-campaign manager for Trump’s 2020 run, LaCivita has extensive experience in navigating these crucial areas, making him a valuable asset to the party.
Trump’s decision to endorse both Whatley and Lara Trump, as well as bringing in LaCivita, is a clear indication of his continued involvement and influence within the Republican party. It remains to be seen how the RNC will respond to these changes and how they will affect the party’s future direction. With Trump’s continued involvement, it is clear that he intends to shape the party in his image.