Ronna McDaniel, the Chair of the Republican National Committee, once proposed resigning to former President Donald Trump if he secured the GOP presidential nomination and preferred her to step down. This offer was made amidst numerous discussions last autumn concerning McDaniel’s refusal to cancel the party’s primary debates, yet Trump declined the offer. This incident highlights the deteriorating relationship between Trump, who initially appointed McDaniel as the RNC Chair in late 2016 following her role in his Michigan campaign, and McDaniel herself, according to a report. The report, based on insights from 14 Republicans close to both Trump and McDaniel, reveals the tensions and the evolving dynamics of their relationship over the years.
The situation escalated after a recent meeting between McDaniel and Trump at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida. Subsequently, Trump suggested that Michael Whatley, the North Carolina Republican Party Chairman, and his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, co-chair the RNC, alongside his campaign adviser, Chris LaCivita, serving as the chief operating officer. This move was perceived as an indirect signal for McDaniel to step down, a suggestion that reportedly affected McDaniel deeply despite not being named directly.
McDaniel recognized for her accomplishments including the establishment of WinRed, a platform for GOP donors, and her significant fundraising efforts, contributing to over $1.5 billion raised for the RNC, has faced increasing criticism within the party. Despite winning a record four elections as chair, her tenure has seen the GOP experiencing losses and underperformances in various elections. Additionally, her familial ties to Senator Mitt Romney and late Governor George Romney have stirred controversy within the party’s right wing.
Financial disagreements, particularly the Trump campaign’s belief that the RNC was not sufficiently supporting it financially, have further strained their relationship. Moreover, McDaniel’s leadership came under scrutiny after revelations of the RNC’s financial standing, which showed it had about half the cash on hand compared to the Democratic National Committee.
Trump’s dissatisfaction with McDaniel was also fueled by her perceived lack of support for his election fraud claims in the 2020 election and her alleged inaction regarding changes to election laws during the pandemic. The pressure for McDaniel’s departure from the RNC leadership has intensified, notably after presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy publicly called for her resignation during a debate in Miami.
