Ronna McDaniel has resigned as party chair due to Donald Trump’s assumed control over the Republican Party.
Ronna McDaniel officially announced her resignation as the chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC) on Monday. This move was widely anticipated as it clears the path for former President Donald Trump and his allies to exert more control over the party and its financial resources.
In her statement, McDaniel explained that it has been customary for the RNC to undergo changes after a nominee is chosen, and she intends to honor that tradition. Her announcement effectively designates Trump as the presumptive nominee following his decisive victory in the South Carolina primary on Saturday.
McDaniel confirmed that she will formally step down at an RNC meeting in Houston on March 8, during which the committee is expected to select Trump’s replacements.
Trump has already nominated Michael Whatley, the chair of the North Carolina state Republican Party, to succeed McDaniel.
Furthermore, Trump has appointed his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, as a co-chair. Lara Trump has already assumed a prominent role in Trump’s reimagined RNC.
However, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, who remains opposed to Trump in the Republican primaries, expressed concerns about Trump’s influence over the RNC’s finances. In an interview with CNN, Haley stated, “I don’t want the RNC to become his personal funding source for his legal battles… Now we see him attempting to gain control of the RNC so that he can continue to avoid paying his own legal fees.”
Chris LaCivita, a senior adviser to the Trump campaign who will be joining the restructured RNC, clarified that the organization will not be assisting Trump with his legal expenses, including attorney fees and significant civil judgments against him. LaCivita emphasized that the primary responsibility of the RNC is to defeat Joe Biden and reclaim the White House.
Lara Trump has assured that every penny from the RNC will be dedicated to “winning,” with the priority being her father-in-law’s election.
Trump, who potentially faces four criminal trials during this election year, has recently been confronted with over half a billion dollars in civil judgments.
While Trump officials have previously criticized the RNC’s spending priorities, the former president himself has defended the party leader he appointed shortly after winning the 2016 presidential election.
In her resignation statement, McDaniel defended her accomplishments, including the Republican Party’s success in securing control of the House in 2022, establishing an Election Integrity Department, and launching the committee’s first grassroots fundraising program for small-dollar donors.
McDaniel had previously indicated that she would make her announcement following the South Carolina primary, which took place on Saturday. Trump easily defeated Haley in her home state.
Although Haley continues to oppose Trump in future primaries, McDaniel’s statement implies that she believes the outcome of the race has already been determined.
“I remain committed to winning back the White House and electing Republicans up and down the ballot in November,” she stated.