Donald Trump tightens grip on Republican Party with daughter-in-law Lara Trump taking key post
- The new RNC co-chair vowed to help the ex-US president win ‘bigly’ in the coming election, amid a debate on whether the organisation should pay his legal bills
- After recording its lowest fundraising year in 2023 in a decade, the RNC had less than US$9 million in the bank at the end of January
Donald Trump cemented his grip on the Republican National Committee on Friday after his daughter-in-law and another ally assumed top leadership posts amid a debate among members over whether the organisation should help pay his legal bills.
RNC members meeting in Houston voted to appoint North Carolina Republican Party head Michael Whatley and Lara Trump as chair and co-chair of the organisation, which will play a key role in marshaling voters and funds for the November 5 general election.
The move comes after Trump swept the Super Tuesday primary contests, prompting Nikki Haley to drop out of the Republican race and all but assuring the former US president will be the nominee and face off against President Joe Biden, a Democrat.
“The goal on November 5 is to win, and as my father-in-law says ‘bigly’,” Lara Trump said, promising that “every single penny of every dollar raised” would go toward the goal of winning the White House, the House of Representatives and the Senate for Republicans.
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What if Trump wins?
The reshuffling sees Ronna McDaniel replaced atop the organisation. McDaniel faced criticism over fundraising and the party’s performance at the ballot box.
During her tenure, Trump was defeated in 2020, and the party turned in a weaker-than-expected performance in the 2022 congressional midterm elections.
