Trump backs North Carolina Republican as RNC chair, daughter-in-law Lara Trump as co-chair

Donald Trump on Monday endorsed North Carolina Republican Party Chair Michael Whatley as the next chair of the Republican National Committee and his daughter-in-law Lara Trump as co-chair, moving to cement his grip over the organization as he closes in on the presidential nomination.

Trump, the frontrunner to become the party's nominee and take on Democratic President Joe Biden in November, said he needed the RNC to carry out its work "flawlessly" and to be "a good partner" with his campaign for the 2024 election.

The move to endorse Whatley follows weeks of media reports indicating Trump had grown frustrated with the current chair, Ronna McDaniel, over lackluster fundraising and the party's performance at the ballot box.

During McDaniel's tenure, Trump was defeated in 2020, and the party turned in a weaker-than-expected performance in the 2022 midterm elections.

"I think my friend Michael Whatley should be the RNC’s next leader. Michael has been with me from the beginning, has done a great job in his home state of North Carolina," Trump said in a statement.