Former President Trump on Monday endorsed North Carolina Republican Party Chairman Michael Whatley to become the next chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC) and endorsed his daughter-in-law Lara Trump to become the next chair of the Republican National Committee. . -Chair.
“The RNC must be a good partner in the presidential campaign. It must do the job perfectly that we expect from the National Party,” President Trump said in a statement. “It will help ensure fair and transparent elections across the country, get votes everywhere — even in parts of the country where it is not easy — and serve as the presumptive Republican presidential nominee. “Make America Great Again” means winning this election by working with my campaign! ”
If the former president’s preferred candidate is chosen by RNC members, it would cement Trump’s complete control of the committee.
President Trump said he supports Whatley as the next RNC chair to replace Ronna McDaniel, who plans to step down after the February 24 South Carolina primary.
Trump praised Whatley for being “committed to election integrity.” Whatley has been a vocal supporter of President Trump’s false claims that the 2020 election was fraudulent.
In addition to Whatley, the former president said he supports Lara Trump as RNC co-chair. He praised her as “an extremely gifted communicator and dedicated to all that MAGA stands for.”
Lara Trump is married to Trump’s son Eric and has been involved with the RNC and party donors since the former president’s time in the White House.
Trump also said he has asked his senior campaign adviser, Chris Lacivita, to serve as the RNC’s chief operating officer and oversee the day-to-day operations as the election cycle gets into full swing.
“These three groups are extremely talented, experienced, and smart. They have my full support to lead the Republican National Committee,” President Trump said. “Every penny will be spent right. A new day.”
McDaniel has served as the RNC chairman since Trump entered the White House in 2017. He has been re-elected to the job every two years, including in 2023, despite facing multiple challengers dissatisfied with the party’s underwhelming midterm performance and finances.
Mr. Trump has refused to explicitly endorse Mr. McDaniel or any challenger in the 2023 leadership race, but the 2024 primary is between the two as Mr. Trump has called on the party to rally to his side. tensions are rising.
The former president’s endorsement is not a guarantee that the candidate of his choice will win the RNC leadership election. He supported Whatley as co-chair in 2023, but he did not win the job.
But there will be more respect for Trump this time around, as he is expected to be the party’s nominee in November’s presidential election. He has strong wins in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada, and is looking to do the same in South Carolina, home of the only remaining challenger, Nikki Haley.
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