On Friday, Donald Trump strengthened his influence over the Republican National Committee (RNC) as his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, and another close ally, Michael Whatley, were elected to top positions within the organization.
This decision, made during a meeting in Houston, positions Lara Trump and Whatley, the head of the North Carolina Republican Party, as chair and co-chair, respectively.
Their appointments come at a pivotal moment, following Trump’s dominant performance in the Super Tuesday primary contests, which led to Nikki Haley withdrawing from the Republican race.
This essentially secures Trump as the Republican nominee for the upcoming November 5 general election against Democrat President Joe Biden.
Lara Trump emphasized the campaign’s goal of a decisive victory, stating, “The goal on November 5th is to win, and as my father-in-law says ‘bigly’.”
She assured that all funds raised would be directed towards winning the White House and reclaiming majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
These leadership changes also signal the replacement of Ronna McDaniel, who, despite being a strong supporter of Trump, was criticized for the RNC’s lackluster fundraising efforts and the party’s underperformance in the 2022 midterm elections.
The RNC is currently facing debates over whether it should allocate funds to cover Trump’s escalating legal expenses, a point of contention that has deterred some donors.
Henry Barbour, an RNC member from Mississippi, expressed opposition to using committee funds for Trump’s legal bills, highlighting a preference among donors to support election wins rather than personal legal challenges.
This issue remains unresolved within the RNC, despite attempts to pass a resolution to prevent the use of funds for such purposes.
Lara Trump’s appointment as co-chair, a position once held by President Ronald Reagan’s daughter in the 1980s, underscores the Trump family’s significant influence within the party.
As the RNC grapples with financial challenges, including its lowest fundraising year in a decade, Lara Trump showcased a $100,000 donation, emphasizing the urgent need for financial support.
The RNC’s stance on not using its funds for Trump’s legal costs was reiterated by Chris LaCivita, who serves both as a campaign co-manager for Trump and the RNC’s chief operating officer.
Despite this, the debate over financial support for Trump’s legal battles continues, with some members and donors expressing willingness to contribute under certain conditions, reflecting ongoing divisions within the party over the allocation of its resources.