Donald Trump's Influence Solidifies as McDaniel Resigns from Republican National Committee

Donald Trump quickly made his mark on the Republican Party right after becoming the presumptive presidential nominee. At the Republican National Committee's spring meeting, Trump's chosen candidates, Michael Whatley and Lara Trump, were appointed as the new chair and co-chair of the organization.

Lara Trump and Tommy Hicks Jr. were chosen as the new leaders of the RNC, replacing Ronna McDaniel and Drew McKissick without any competition.

After being elected, Lara Trump expressed her gratitude and excitement for the opportunity to work with everyone for the next 241 days.

The former president is planning to appoint his senior advisers, Chris LaCivita and James Blair, to key roles at the RNC. LaCivita is set to become the committee's chief operating officer, while Blair will assist with the RNC's political strategy, according to sources familiar with the plans. They will both continue advising Trump's 2024 campaign.

It is common for a national committee to undergo changes after the party has selected its presidential nominee. Typically, a new chairperson is appointed or a top official from the presidential campaign transitions to the committee.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump was welcomed by North Carolina Republican Party chairman Michael Whatley at the North Carolina GOP convention dinner in Greenville, North Carolina, on June 5, 2021.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump is introduced by North Carolina Republican Party chairman Michael Whatley before speaking at the North Carolina GOP convention dinner in Greenville, North Carolina, on June 5, 2021.

Jonathan Drake/Reuters/File

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Trump is turning to Whatley as he prepares to revamp the RNC. This time around, insiders say it's more of a takeover than just a shift. Trump aims to align the RNC with his upcoming presidential campaign, assembling a team that will prioritize his concerns about election fraud and enhance its ability to raise funds. This move comes as the committee faces serious financial challenges.

Trump is looking to utilize the full support of the RNC to strengthen his campaign against President Joe Biden in the upcoming general election. With Trump essentially securing the GOP nomination, he will have early access to the RNC's voter data, fundraising resources, and ground operations. This advantage will allow Trump to establish campaign teams in crucial battleground states like Michigan, Georgia, Arizona, and Pennsylvania well in advance of the election.

The full support of the RNC also ensures that state parties will begin working toward the goal of electing Trump.

RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel is seen at the Republican presidential primary debate at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California, on September 27, 2023.

RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel is seen at the Republican presidential primary debate at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California, on September 27, 2023.

Gilbert Flores/Variety/Getty Images

Inside the changing of the guard

McDaniel, who previously served as Michigan GOP chair, has led the RNC since 2017 and won reelection to a fourth term in January.

"It's a mix of emotions being here with you all today as I announce that I am stepping down as chair after seven years of working alongside you," she shared on Friday.

However, her choice to resign from the position follows over a year of growing conflicts between the ex-president and the RNC. Trump has held onto feelings of animosity towards the committee for its management of the 2020 election, accusing it of lacking the necessary legal support and infrastructure to contest the election outcome, as noted by CNN.

In recent months, tensions have escalated between Trump and his campaign and the RNC over the handling of the GOP primary debates.

Earlier this year, the relationship reached a breaking point when the RNC revealed its worst fundraising year in a decade, causing alarm among Trump's advisers.

McDaniel then decided to resign from her role so that Trump could appoint his own party chair, according to two party advisers who spoke to CNN. She confirmed the date of her official departure following the South Carolina primary last month.

Trump has shown interest in Whatley.

Two individuals who are familiar with the former president mentioned that Trump is interested in Whatley because of the North Carolina GOP chairman's dedication to investigating allegations of election fraud. Whatley has been in charge of his state's political operations for nearly five years, earning a reputation as a committed party member who can attract support from both Trump loyalists and establishment Republicans.

Former President Donald Trump is introduced by North Carolina Republican Party chairman Michael Whatley before speaking at the state GOP convention dinner in Greenville, North Carolina, in June 2021.

Former President Donald Trump was welcomed by North Carolina Republican Party chairman Michael Whatley as he took the stage to address attendees at the state GOP convention dinner in Greenville, North Carolina, in June 2021.

A photo by Jonathan Drake/Reuters captured the moment, showcasing the former president in action.

In his post-election comments on Friday, Whatley expressed his gratitude to Trump for his trust and support. He mentioned that no one has been more dedicated to fighting for the American people. Whatley also expressed his appreciation for the chance to collaborate with Trump to achieve victory and contribute to the revitalization of the nation.

Whatley's first challenge will be to improve the RNC's fundraising efforts. The RNC had $8.7 million in February, while the Democratic National Committee had $24 million.

Despite this, current and former RNC officials believe that the task will be easier now that Trump is the GOP nominee. They can leverage Trump's branding to help boost the organization's finances.

The committee relied heavily on using Trump's name for fundraising before the 2020 election. However, after Trump left the White House in March 2021, his lawyers sent a letter to the RNC and two other GOP organizations, demanding they stop using Trump's name and image for fundraising and merchandise.

Despite this, LaCivita, who knows how the RNC works well, joined the committee to oversee its finances. It is anticipated that the RNC will work closely with the Trump campaign, with one adviser describing their relationship as more "symbiotic" than before.

Lara Trump is anticipated to take on a visible role at the RNC, focusing on fundraising and giving public speeches, according to sources familiar with her upcoming responsibilities.

A lingering question is whether the RNC will start assisting with Donald Trump's increasing legal expenses now that he is the likely Republican nominee.

Trump’s senior advisers, such as LaCivita, maintain that they do not intend to rely on the RNC to cover his legal fees.

However, some Trump allies and former RNC members were surprised by this decision, as they had anticipated the committee to resume its practice of assisting with the former president’s legal expenses once he secured the party’s nomination. This support had been in place during his time in office and persisted until he announced his candidacy for the 2024 election.

Lara Trump mentioned at a recent campaign event that she thinks GOP voters would be in favor of the idea. However, she did not completely rule out the possibility.

This story and headline have been revised.

Editor's P/S:

The article reveals the significant changes taking place within the Republican National Committee (RNC) following Donald Trump's presumptive presidential nomination. Trump's influence is evident in the appointment of his chosen candidates, Michael Whatley and Lara Trump, as the new chair and co-chair of the organization. These appointments mark a shift from the previous leadership and align with Trump's goal of tailoring the RNC to his upcoming presidential campaign.

The article highlights the challenges faced by the RNC, including financial struggles and tensions with Trump over the handling of the 2020 election. The appointment of Chris LaCivita as the committee's chief operating officer is seen as a strategic move to improve fundraising efforts. Trump's allies anticipate that the RNC will now prioritize his concerns about election fraud and enhance its ability to raise funds. The article also raises the question of whether the RNC will assist with Trump's increasing legal expenses, a topic that remains unresolved. the RNC and the Trump campaign suggests a more symbiotic relationship than in the past, with the committee serving as an extension of Trump's political machine.