Former President Donald Trump is set to endorse North Carolina GOP Chair Michael Whatley as the successor to Ronna McDaniel, the current leader of the Republican National Committee, according to a Republican operative familiar with Trump’s decision.
This endorsement solidifies Trump’s push for a change in leadership at the committee, following weeks of reports indicating his frustration with McDaniel. In addition to supporting Whatley, Trump will also back Lara Trump, his daughter-in-law, for the role of RNC co-chairwoman.
Lara Trump has been a prominent on-air surrogate for the former president and was briefly considered as a potential North Carolina Senate candidate during the 2022 campaign.
It’s important to note that Trump’s endorsement doesn’t guarantee automatic appointments for Whatley or Lara Trump. The committee must conduct a vote among its members, expected to occur shortly after McDaniel steps down following the South Carolina primary on Feb. 24.
However, this is likely to be a formality, as party members are expected to align with the preferences of the presidential nominee.
As part of Trump’s efforts to restructure the RNC, Chris LaCivita will be appointed as the RNC chief operating officer, in addition to maintaining his role as co-campaign manager of the Trump campaign. These staff changes will take effect once the new chair assumes office.
“The RNC MUST be a good partner in the Presidential election. It must do the work we expect from the national Party and do it flawlessly,” Trump stated in a statement. “That means helping to ensure fair and transparent elections across the country, getting out the vote everywhere — even in parts of the country where it won’t be easy — and working with my campaign, as the Republican presumptive nominee for President, to win this election and MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Trump chose Whatley partly because of the North Carolinians’ emphasis on one of the former president’s favorite issues: unfounded claims of election fraud.
Whatley has asserted that elections are susceptible to fraud and has defended Trump regarding his role in the Capitol siege on January 6, emphasizing that the blame lies with the rioters, not the then-president.
Whatley also advocated for censuring then-Senator Richard Burr for voting in favor of Trump’s second impeachment.
These adjustments result from discussions between Trump and his advisers in recent weeks regarding the future of the RNC.
In his new position, LaCivita will divide his time between Trump’s headquarters in Palm Beach, Florida, and the RNC offices in Washington, D.C. As a former executive director of the Virginia GOP who consulted for the RNC during the 2016 election, LaCivita will focus on directing the committee’s efforts toward battleground states.
