Former President Donald Trump is pushing for a change in leadership at the Republican National Committee (RNC) amid reports that incumbent chair Ronna McDaniel will step down by the end of the month. On Monday, Trump issued multiple endorsements for critical RNC positions, including North Carolina GOP chair Michael Whatley, his daughter-in-law Lara Trump, and senior campaign advisor Chris LaCivita.
Reports have swirled for weeks that Trump had grown dissatisfied with McDaniel at the helm of the RNC, culminating in a two-hour-long meeting between the two at Mar-a-Lago last week. Soon after, Trump referred to McDaniel as a “friend” in a Truth Social post but said he would support a change in leadership after the South Carolina primary.
For McDaniel’s replacement, Trump has thrown his support behind Michael Whatley, citing his experience as North Carolina GOP chair and his commitment to election integrity.
“For these reasons, I think my friend Michael Whatley should be the RNC’s next leader. Michael has been with me from the beginning, has done a great job in his home state of North Carolina, and is committed to election integrity, which we must have to keep fraud out of our election so it can’t be stolen,”
Whatley has served as North Carolina GOP chair since 2019. He previously worked as a federal law clerk, chief of staff to former Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-NC), and advisor to the Bush-Cheney and Trump-Pence campaigns.
Subscribe to The Florida Jolt Newsletter!
Statement by Donald J. Trump, 45th President of the United States pic.twitter.com/Zz2DiaOZSc
— Team Trump (Text TRUMP to 88022) (@TeamTrump) February 13, 2024
Additionally, Trump announced that he would support his daughter-in-law Lara for the position of co-chair of the RNC.
“My very talented daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, has agreed to run as the RNC Co-Chair. Lara is an extremely talented communicator and is dedicated to all that MAGA stands for. She has told me she wants to accept this challenge and would be GREAT!”
Lara Trump is married to Trump’s son Eric. A fixture in all three of her father-in-law’s Presidential campaigns, she also briefly considered a U.S. Senate run in North Carolina in 2022.
Trump also endorsed longtime Republican strategist Chris LaCivita for COO of the RNC. LaCivita also currently serves as a co-manager of Trump’s 2024 campaign.
“I have also asked Chris LaCivita, in whom I have full confidence, to assume the role of, in effect, Chief Operating Officer of the Committee. Chris will manage the RNC’s day-to-day operations so it will become a fighting machine for 2024 and use all the tools available to win for the American people,”
Join your fellow patriots and subscribe to our YouTube Channel.
President Donald Trump just endorsed Michael Whatley to RNC Chair and Lara Trump for Co-Chair of the RNC
Do you also support this ? pic.twitter.com/75YlkrgoZ7
— Tulsi Gabbard 🌺 (Parody) (@TulsiGabbardrep) February 13, 2024
Trump concluded his endorsement: “This group of three is highly talented, battle-tested, and smart. They have my complete and total endorsement to lead the Republican National Committee.”
The shakeup at the RNC is expected to occur after the South Carolina primary on Feb. 24. If McDaniel steps down, national committee members will hold a vote soon after, likely supporting the former President’s picks for leadership.
Other stories you may want to read:
Florida Lawmakers Back Banning Sales of ‘Cultivated’ Meat
- Chuck Millar Stands Out as Palm Beach Gardens’ Most Seasoned Leader - February 24, 2025
- Navy Vet Thomas Turkin Fights for a Better Boynton - February 10, 2025
- Rebecca Shelton’s Vision to Revitalize Boynton Beach - January 29, 2025