Explosive Reveals: Trump-RNC Feud Goes Public, Unveiling Unprecedented Tensions

Former President Donald Trump's choice to boycott the third GOP presidential primary debate and organize a competing rally nearby emphasizes the increasingly complex and occasionally problematic dynamic between the Republican National Committee and the frontrunner's team.

The RNC was caught unaware by Trump's campaign's recent announcement that it would host a counterprogramming event on the same night as the debate, held near the Miami arena where the remaining Republican candidates would be participating.

Despite Trump's absence from the debates, as he believes his strong position in the polls exempts him, the choice to organize a seemingly rival event in the same location has angered certain Republicans.

"It's a deliberate affront to the RNC," stated a Republican operative connected to the committee when talking to CNN. "A deliberate and intentional affront."

Allies close to Trump attempted to justify the decision, citing his public frustration with the RNC's decision to continue hosting debates despite his significant lead over the other candidates. Earlier this month, top campaign advisers of the former president urged the RNC to promptly cancel the forthcoming debate in Miami and put an end to all future debates in order to redirect resources towards defeating Democrats in 2024.

However, even before the debates became a major focus, Trump's relationship with the organization, headed by his personally chosen chairwoman, Ronna McDaniel, had been growing increasingly turbulent in recent months.

The former president still holds resentment towards the organization for the 2020 election, believing they did not have the necessary attorneys to challenge the results. Despite attempts to persuade him otherwise, some argue that it was not the RNC's responsibility to provide legal resources for the election. Others have highlighted that his own campaign should have had a better legal infrastructure in place. Unfortunately, these arguments, like many regarding the 2020 election, have been disregarded.

Although Trump understands why the RNC has not endorsed his 2024 candidacy, he has inquired about why the RNC must remain neutral in the 2024 GOP presidential primary race. The RNC's bylaws dictate neutrality, and during this primary season, McDaniel has made efforts to act as an impartial chair.

The RNC emphasized its commitment to ensuring a fair and impartial GOP primary for all presidential candidates seeking the Republican nomination.

"We will maintain a transparent and equitable debate process, while also expanding our 2024 operation by recruiting in-state staff members for Political and Election Integrity roles in crucial battleground states," stated an RNC representative.

After Trump's election in 2016, he appointed McDaniel as chair, resulting in the replacement of numerous establishment Republican committee members with Trump loyalists. Sources familiar with their relationship state that Trump personally believed he played a role in shaping McDaniel into the party leader she is today, and therefore expected loyalty from her. During Trump's presidency, McDaniel was highly supportive. However, while Trump was instrumental in ensuring McDaniel retained her position as committee chair earlier this year, many within his circle criticize her for the Republicans' lackluster performance in the 2022 midterms.

According to a source close to Trump who spoke with CNN, there is a widespread concern regarding Ronna and the RNC's handling of the 2020 and 2022 elections. This concern stems from perceived mistakes in the party's messaging strategy and efforts to mobilize voters.

There is significant concern regarding her future leadership within the party, according to the source. Nevertheless, Trump's key campaign officials maintain regular communication with RNC leadership and Trump's senior campaign advisers. Earlier this year, Susie Wiles, one of Trump's senior campaign advisers, even traveled to California to support McDaniels' reelection as chair. Trump's team privately expressed their support for McDaniel over her opponent, Trump attorney Harmeet Dhillon.

Shortly after her victory, McDaniel informed Fox News that this would mark her final term as chair, emphasizing that it is already complete.

Once a major political party finalizes its nominee, various modifications often take place between that nominee's campaign structure and the party committee. This is a move some individuals within Trump's inner circle are keen to witness in the event he secures the GOP nomination.

One source mentioned that discussing changes at the RNC was premature, but emphasized that top officials, including McDaniel, should be open to stepping down for new leadership if Trump secures the nomination.

Another source refuted any speculation that Trump intends to "clean house" in the event of becoming the nominee.

One source close to the former president said that while it is not uncommon for the nominee to make adjustments at the RNC, it is doubtful that there are any plans in place. The source also mentioned that given McDaniels' term is ending in a year and a half, it is likely that a new RNC chairman would be selected, and Trump would probably have influence in the decision, much like he did with McDaniels. The Trump campaign has not yet provided a response to the comment request.

Tensions began escalating ahead of first debate

Following McDaniel's announcement that the initial debate would take place in August, Trump openly hinted at the possibility of not partaking, citing his advantageous position in early polls and expressing concerns about facing inquiries from what he characterized as "adversarial" news networks.

Trump also mentioned in a Truth Social post that the RNC did not seek his or his campaign's "approval" before announcing the debates. However, it is important to note that presidential candidates do not have exclusive authority over the format or schedule of these events.

According to a GOP adviser familiar with the proceedings, the Trump campaign was extensively informed about the schedule, venue, and other details of the primary debates. Two sources, aware of the conversation, stated that McDaniel directly informed Trump that the debates would commence in August.

The dispute reached its climax at the RNC retreat in Nashville last spring, where RNC officials and senior campaign advisers for Trump convened to resolve the ongoing public argument, according to several sources familiar with the meeting, as reported by CNN.

During the gathering, a heated exchange unfolded between David Bossie, the head of the RNC debate committee, and Chris LaCivita, an adviser from the Trump campaign. In order to defuse the situation, McDaniel and Wiles intervened.

Trump's absence from the first debate became apparent, prompting a private visit by McDaniel and Bossie to Trump in Bedminster in July. Their purpose was to urge him to participate in the debates, as reported by CNN. During the meeting, however, Trump did not commit to any plans. Subsequently, in the following weeks, Trump grew increasingly frustrated with McDaniel and Bossie for their persisting attempts to pressure him into attending. This added strain to their relationship, according to a source familiar with the matter, as revealed by CNN.

According to the source, "While sitting there, Bossie and Ronna advised him to attend a debate where he would face criticism not only from other candidates but also from the moderators. There was no potential benefit for him, so he did not appreciate their suggestion."

"It just started to grate on him," the source said.

RNC officials and members pushed back at the idea that they would not hold the debate just because Trump is leading in the polls.

"The fact is, half of the voter base is supporting him, but that also means there is another half that is not," stated the Republican operative. "In order for that other 50% to come out and vote for Trump if he is nominated, they need to believe that the process was fair and unbiased."

Although Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the proposed date as being too early, sources reveal that he did not outright reject it. However, two sources familiar with the discussions between Trump's campaign and the Republican National Committee (RNC) affirmed that both his team and Trump himself made it clear that he would not participate in a debate before Labor Day.

Trump instead sat for a pre-recorded interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson.

The legal complications

The connection between Trump and McDaniel and the RNC runs deeper than just politics. Both the chairwoman and the committee have become involved in Trump's legal issues. Previously, the RNC provided financial support to law firms representing Trump during different investigations. However, following Trump's announcement of his third presidential run, the RNC ceased these payments due to their neutrality policy. Last November, when asked if the RNC would continue covering Trump's legal expenses if he became a candidate, McDaniel stated that the committee is not able to pay for legal bills for any announced candidate.

"We are currently unable to make any in-kind contributions to candidates. As the former president, he is facing lawsuits from various directions, and he has raised more money under the RNC than we have spent on these bills," she stated.

Moreover, McDaniel provided testimony before the House select committee that was investigating the attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, and is also expected to testify in the upcoming federal trial. The federal case regarding Trump's alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election is only one among several trials that Trump will be facing in the early part of next year.

Earlier this month, the judge overseeing the Georgia election subversion case issued an order to compel McDaniel's testimony during the trial.

The GOP operative informed CNN, "Perhaps those critiquing her should acknowledge the likelihood of her involvement in multiple trials."

As of now, its unclear how her potential testimony could further impact their relationship, but her role as a likely witness could further add to the strain between the two.