Donald Trump has wasted no time in asserting his control over the Republican Party, just days after becoming its presumptive presidential nominee for the 2024 election. At the Republican National Committee's (RNC) spring meeting on Friday, members elected Trump's endorsed candidates, Michael Whatley and Lara Trump, to serve as the organization's new chair and co-chair, respectively.
Whatley, the North Carolina GOP chairman, and Lara Trump, the former president's daughter-in-law, were elected unopposed, succeeding outgoing RNC chairwoman Ronna McDaniel and co-chairman Drew McKissick. In her remarks following the election, Lara Trump repeatedly referred to the former president as her father-in-law and acknowledged the support of her husband, Eric Trump, who was in attendance.
"I know how important this role is, and it is truly an honor to be here to work alongside all of you over the next 241 days," Lara Trump said.
In addition to the leadership changes, Trump is planning to install two of his senior advisers, Chris LaCivita and James Blair, in senior positions at the RNC. LaCivita is expected to take on the role of chief operating officer, while Blair will help drive the RNC's political strategy. Both will continue to serve as advisers to Trump's 2024 campaign.
People close to the former president and at the RNC describe the shift as more of a takeover than a typical leadership change. Trump is looking to closely align the RNC with his presidential campaign, building a team that will focus on his priorities, such as election fraud claims and improving fundraising, at a time when the committee is facing financial difficulties.
David Bossie, an influential RNC member from Maryland, emphasized the historical precedent of the presidential campaign running the RNC. "It's going to be identical to what it's always historically been, which is the presidential campaign runs the RNC, prioritizes what the RNC does, how it does it, what it spends money on, what its priorities are," he said.
The leadership changes come as Trump seeks to deploy the full weight of the RNC's infrastructure to boost his general election campaign against President Joe Biden. With Trump all but clinching the GOP nomination roughly four months before the Republican National Convention and eight months before the November 5 election, he will have early access to the RNC's extensive voter data, fundraising infrastructure, and ground operation.
However, the RNC's financial situation remains a concern. Recent campaign finance reports show the RNC entering February with just $8.7 million in the bank, compared to $24 million for the Democratic National Committee. Current and former RNC officials argue that fundraising will be less challenging now that Trump is the presumptive nominee, as the organization can use his branding to boost its financial standing.
Another question that remains is whether the RNC will help cover the costs of Trump's mounting legal bills. While Trump's senior advisers insist they have no plans to use RNC funds for this purpose, Lara Trump has left the door open to the possibility, suggesting that GOP voters would support such a move.
As the Republican Party rallies behind Trump, the leadership changes at the RNC signal a consolidation of power and influence for the former president. With loyal allies in key positions and the committee's resources at his disposal, Trump is poised to shape the party's direction and strategy heading into the 2024 general election.
The coming months will reveal how effectively the new RNC leadership can revitalize the committee's fundraising efforts, support Trump's campaign, and navigate the challenges posed by the former president's legal woes. As the nation prepares for another contentious presidential race, the Republican Party's fate appears to be more intertwined with Donald Trump's than ever before.
