Former President Donald Trump’s ally, Michael Whatley, has been voted in as the new leader of the Republican National Committee (RNC). This decision was made during the RNC’s spring meeting in Houston, Texas on Friday. Whatley, who has been serving as the North Carolina GOP chair since 2019, was unanimously chosen by committee members. He is also the general counsel for the RNC and was hand-picked by Trump for the role.
Whatley has been a strong supporter of Trump’s claims of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election, which he believes led to his loss to President Biden. In fact, he was specifically selected for his expertise in election fraud. Despite facing challenges from a Democratic governor in North Carolina, Whatley managed to keep fraud to a minimum in his state. Trump is determined to ensure that future elections, including the 2024 general election, are secure.
Before his involvement with the Republican Party, Whatley served as a federal law clerk and held positions in the administration of President George W. Bush. He also worked as the chief of staff for former Sen. Elizabeth Dole and served as a senior adviser to various presidential campaigns, including Bush-Cheney in 2000 and Trump-Pence.
Lara Trump, Trump’s daughter-in-law, was also elected by a unanimous voice vote to serve as co-chair of the RNC. Additionally, campaign adviser Chris LaCivita will be taking on the role of RNC chief of staff while continuing to advise Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. These appointments solidify Trump’s influence within the RNC and confirm that the Republican Party remains the party of Trump.
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has criticized Whatley’s election, calling him a “fringe election denier” who has embraced Trump’s extreme agenda. They believe that the RNC’s fundraising issues and electoral losses will continue under Whatley’s leadership. However, the RNC’s decision to elect Whatley comes after Trump’s successful performance in 14 out of 15 GOP primaries and caucuses on Super Tuesday. With Trump closing in on securing the Republican presidential nomination for 2024, his takeover of the RNC is seen as a natural progression in the election cycle.
It is important to note that the RNC’s decision to install Whatley as its new leader is in line with tradition. As the party’s nominee for the upcoming general election, it is customary for the presumptive nominee to take control and merge operations. With Trump’s influence and popularity within the Republican Party, it is no surprise that he has chosen individuals who are aligned with his agenda to lead the RNC.
As the 2024 campaign trail progresses, it will be interesting to see how Whatley, Lara Trump, and the rest of the RNC leadership navigate the challenges ahead. Their top priority will be to secure a victory for the Republican Party in the November general election.
