Lara Trump And Michael Whatley Elected RNC Leaders As Trump Tightens Grip On Republicans

The Republican National Committee elected Lara Trump—daughter-in-law of former President Donald Trump—and another Trump ally, Michael Whatley, to be its new leaders in a move that strengthens the former president’s grasp on the party after he all but secured the presidential nomination earlier in the week.

Lara Trump and Whatley were both endorsed by Trump—who praised them, saying Whatley had a “commit[ment] to election integrity” and Lara Trump is “dedicated to all that MAGA stands for”—in February after former chair Ronna McDaniel announced she was stepping down.

In a statement, Whatley thanked the RNC and Trump for “entrusting” him to serve as chair, adding “we are already well on our way to making Joe Biden a one-term President.”