Donald Trump is seeking to exert control of the Republican National Committee by orchestrating a leadership change and restructuring its structure. To this end, he has nominated North Carolina GOP Chairman Michael Whatley as chair and Lara Trump as co-chair, while asking senior campaign adviser Chris LaCivita to serve as de facto chief operating officer.
Trump’s Endorsement of Michael Whatley
Former President Donald Trump on Monday made public his preference for North Carolina Republican Party Chairman Michael Whatley to become the new leader of the RNC and Lara Trump to serve as his daughter-in-law’s co-chair, potentially giving Trump’s allies control of its highest leadership positions if approved by members voting after February 24 primary in South Carolina. Trump also recommended his campaign senior adviser Chris LaCivita to serve as Chief Operating Officer.
These endorsements are seen as an attempt to further bolster Trump’s hold over the party as he approaches winning the Republican presidential nomination. The RNC is charged with fundraising for its candidate and mobilizing voters. According to media reports, Trump is becoming increasingly frustrated with RNC chair Ronna McDaniel due to her inability to boost fundraising efforts within her party.
Trump’s Endorsement of Lara Trump
Former President Ronald Reagan has cast his vote of confidence for Michael Whatley, chairman of North Carolina GOP and his daughter-in-law Lara Trump as co-chairs for RNC leadership elections. This endorsement carries considerable clout amongst 168 committee members who will vote to elect this leadership slate formally.
Media reports have reported that President Donald Trump is discontented with the current RNC leadership, seeking changes. Fundraising results were disappointing in 2023 and midterm elections results fell short of expectations.
Whatley, an intimate of the Trump family for over three decades, has long been one of President Donald Trump’s strongest allies on conservative news programs and considered running for his 2022 U.S. Senate seat in North Carolina. Additionally, Whatley serves at the RNC as general counsel overseeing litigation and election integrity efforts as well as his support of unproven claims of massive voter fraud in 2020 elections echoed by Whatley himself – though any new leadership positions they might hold may raise suspicions of nepotism.
Trump’s Endorsement of Chris LaCivita
On Monday, former President Donald Trump gave his endorsement for North Carolina Republican Party Chair Michael Whatley and daughter-in-law Lara Trump to lead the Republican National Committee, as well as for one of his campaign advisers Chris LaCivita to effectively serve as chief operating officer.
This move represents a radical overhaul at the RNC, which has been struggling to raise money recently. President Trump has often voiced his displeasure with Ronna McDaniel for her fundraising performance and failure.
Whatley has long been an integral member of the Republican party and has worked on numerous state and federal campaigns. He served as federal law clerk and chief of staff to former Sen. Elizabeth Dole as well as being part of both George W. Bush and Donald Trump campaigns as staffer.
Trump will need to submit his slate of leadership candidates for approval by the full RNC membership; his endorsements could mean Whatley and Lara Trump take the helm at least until after South Carolina primary on February 24.
Trump’s Endorsement of Ronna McDaniel
As his campaign transitions into general election mode, former President Donald Trump is seeking to fill key committee roles with allies from within his inner circle and stamp out any dissension within the GOP. Lara Trump will serve as co-chair while Chris LaCivita may take up an “effectively the RNC’s chief operating officer role”, according to one GOP operative speaking on condition of anonymity who discussed plans that have not been released publicly.
McDaniel, niece of Utah Sen. Mitt Romney and handpicked by Trump to lead his party’s governing body shortly after his election, was initially met with enthusiasm but now faces rising dissatisfaction over national electoral failures under her watchful gaze. Her resignation would mark an official Trump takeover of the committee.
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