Trump Announces Endorsements to Lead RNC, Setting Stage for GOP Shake-Up

Former President Donald Trump has disclosed a series of endorsements for leadership roles within the Republican National Committee (RNC) on Monday night, signaling a significant shake-up in the GOP hierarchy. Trump threw his support behind Michael Whatley, the chair of the North Carolina Republican Party, for the position of RNC chairman, while proposing his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, as the co-chair. This represents Lara Trump’s inaugural leadership position within the party. Additionally, Trump revealed his intention to appoint one of his campaign’s senior advisors, Chris LaCivita, as the chief operating officer at the RNC.

Trump expressed his full endorsement for the trio, highlighting their talent, experience, and intelligence in a statement issued Monday night. The former president emphasized his complete confidence in Whatley, Lara Trump, and LaCivita to lead the Republican National Committee effectively.

If appointed as the chief operating officer at the RNC, LaCivita will not be leaving the campaign completely, as confirmed by a senior GOP source familiar with Trump’s proposed plans. Reportedly, LaCivita will continue splitting his time between the RNC and the campaign, underscoring Trump’s commitment to ensuring the group operates in concert with his vision as they gear up for the general election.

Donald Trump’s move to overhaul the RNC’s leadership reflects his belief that the organization has not been run efficiently. By installing close allies like his daughter-in-law, he aims to enhance the RNC’s effectiveness and align its operations closely with his own and the campaign’s strategies heading into the electoral contest. Critics, both within and outside the RNC, argue that this consolidation of power could suppress dissent within the party and may not address the GOP’s recent electoral setbacks.

The positions of RNC chair and co-chair will require formal election by RNC committee members, indicating that Whatley and Lara Trump need to secure the committee’s vote. The elections are anticipated to take place following Ronna McDaniel’s expected resignation as RNC chair, potentially after the South Carolina Republican primary on February 24th.

Nikki Haley‘s campaign manager, Betsy Ankeny, dismissed the recent moves as mere reorganization, likening it to rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic. Ankeny outlined Haley’s proposed strategy for the RNC, advocating a comprehensive overhaul, including a thorough audit of financial mismanagement and a merit-based selection process for the RNC chair position to prioritize competence over political connections.

Ronna McDaniel, the current chair of the RNC, has faced criticism for the party’s disappointing fundraising figures and underperformance in recent national elections. Reports show that the RNC had its poorest fundraising year in a decade in 2023, entering 2024 with its lowest cash on hand since 2014. Trump recently met with McDaniel and announced that a decision regarding the future leadership of the RNC will be made after the South Carolina primary on February 24th.

Initial reports indicated that Trump had contemplated appointing Whatley to lead the RNC. Whatley, echoing Trump’s unverified claims of election fraud, asserted in a local radio interview that significant irregularities occurred during the 2020 election. Presently, Whatley serves as the RNC’s general counsel, focusing on initiatives related to election integrity.

Lara Trump, the wife of Trump’s son Eric, emerged prominently on the campaign trail during Trump’s previous electoral campaigns and was once considered a potential candidate for the 2022 North Carolina U.S. Senate elections. Meanwhile, LaCivita, a veteran Republican operative, has extensive experience in state and federal campaigns, having worked on several high-profile political projects, including Sen. Rand Paul’s 2016 presidential bid.