Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel is set to step down from her position on March 8, as Donald Trump asserts control over the party in his bid for another presidential nomination. McDaniel made the announcement in a statement on Monday morning, expressing her intention to allow the nominee to select a new chair. Trump has indicated his preference for North Carolina GOP Chair Michael Whatley to replace McDaniel, with Lara Trump serving as committee co-chair.
The 50-year-old McDaniel has been a strong advocate for Trump and played a significant role in reshaping the GOP in his image. However, Trump's MAGA movement has increasingly blamed her for the party's failures in the 2020 election and other recent races. McDaniel's departure, along with that of RNC co-chair Drew McKissick, comes as the GOP transitions from the primary phase to the general election of the 2024 presidential contest.
While former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley remains in the race, Trump has dominated the primary calendar, winning every state and potentially clinching the nomination by mid-March. McDaniel's resignation reflects Trump's continued influence within the party, as RNC members are expected to approve his choice of Whatley in March.
McDaniel, the niece of Utah Sen. Mitt Romney, was Trump's choice to lead the RNC after the 2016 election. Her profile as a suburban mother was seen as an asset for the party, but she has faced increasing criticism from within the "Make America Great Again" movement. The party is also facing financial challenges, with significantly less money in the bank compared to the Democratic National Committee.
Trump's allies are moving to direct the party's resources and activists around his campaign, with Lara Trump suggesting that the RNC should cover Trump's legal bills, which she sees as political persecution. Whatley, who has ties to the political establishment, is seen as an ally who echoes Trump's false theories of voter fraud. His appointment reflects Trump's continued influence within the party as he seeks a third presidential nomination.
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