Headline Roundup • February 13th, 2024
Trump Endorses Michael Whatley for RNC Chair, Lara Trump as Co-Chair
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Former President Donald Trump has endorsed North Carolina Republican Party Chairman Michael Whatley to serve as RNC chair.
The Details: Trump also endorsed his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, for co-chair, and said his senior campaign adviser, Chris LaCivita, would serve as de facto chief operating officer.
For Context: Last week, reports surfaced that current RNC chair Ronna McDaniel told Trump she would step down after the South Carolina primary on February 24.
Key Quotes: “RNC spokesperson Keith Schipper said in a statement on Monday, “Chairwoman McDaniel has been on the road helping elect Republicans up and down the ballot and she will continue working hard to beat Biden this fall.” DNC Rapid Response Director Alex Floyd said, “Whatley already threatened our democracy once before when he spread lies about the results of the 2020 election. Trump is rewarding him in just the latest display that democracy will be on the ballot this November.”
How The Media Covered It: Most media across the spectrum noted Trump’s nomination of a family member in headlines. Outlets from the Left and Center often leaned more into Whatley’s defense of Trump in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election.
Featured Coverage of this Story
Win McNamee/Getty Images
Former President Trump on Monday endorsed Michael Whatley, chair of the North Carolina GOP, to become the next leader of the Republican National Committee if the current chairwoman Ronna McDaniel steps down.
Why it matters: Trump for weeks has been ramping up his public criticisms of McDaniel, after the committee posted its worst fundraising year in almost a decade in 2023.
Trump endorsed his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, to serve as co-chair.
Trump also endorsed his campaign senior adviser, Chris LaCivita, to effectively serve as COO.
If approved, the trio of endorsements would bring Trump allies to the...
REUTERS/Jonathan Drake/File Photo
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...
AP Photo/Chris Seward
Former President Donald Trump has endorsed North Carolina Republican Party Chairman Michael Whatley to replace Ronna McDaniel as the chairperson of the Republican National Committee. Additionally, Trump will support Lara Trump, his daughter-in-law, as the RNC’s co-chairwoman.
Donald Trump’s support for Whatley, who currently serves as the RNC’s general counsel, comes after the former president said he expected changes at the committee. McDaniel reportedly told Donald Trump during a private meeting recently that she would step down from her role in the party. The former president’s allies have sought to push her out as concerns...
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