Donald Trump Jr. mused that the “Make America Great Again” movement has replaced the old guard of the Republican Party.
Trump Jr. praised the recent leadership shake-up at the Republican National Committee, backed by his father, and claimed it represented a MAGA takeover.
“I think the RNC is going to be a little bit more of an old-school organization. Frankly, that Republican Party doesn’t exist outside of the D.C. Beltway anymore. But that transition will take some time.” Trump Jr. said on Newsmax’s “The Balance.”
The RNC on Friday replaced Ronna McDaniel with former North Carolina Republican Party Chair Michael Whatley as party leader, daughter-in-law Lara Trump as co-leader and senior campaign adviser Chris Lacivita as chief operating officer. A vote was taken to promote him to the rank of holder.
Trump Jr. stressed that the RNC needs to “focus on all candidates,” not just his father.
“It’s not just about the presidency. There are a lot of members of Congress that have to win,” he said. “I think the most important thing is that we restore trust in that organization. People have to trust in it.”
“I hope this works.”
The RNC has been plagued by low fundraising numbers. Last year, the organization earned $87.2 million and ended 2023 with about $8 million in cash on hand. According to the Federal Election Commission.
After adjusting for inflation, it measures the RNC. Worst funding since 1993.
In contrast, the Democratic National Committee raised $119 million and ended the year with about $21 million in cash. According to FEC.
Former President Donald Trump supported former RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel for the position after her 2016 election victory. She led the Republican effort in Michigan, which President Trump won that year.
Trump Jr. also noted the exodus of anti-Trump Republicans from both houses of Congress, including Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), who will not be running for re-election in the fall.
“People need to understand that the America First, MAGA movement is the new Republican Party. That’s today’s conservatism,” Trump added. “You know, there might be a Mitt Romney or a Liz Cheney in there. But it’s a rare and dying breed.”
Last week, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley suspended her presidential campaign after President Trump suffered a landslide campaign loss on Super Tuesday.
Haley’s withdrawal from the race shifts the 2024 election cycle to an expected rematch between Trump and President Biden.
