Trump’s Iron Grip on the Republican National Committee: A New Leadership Team Takes Shape

The Republican National Committee (RNC), the United States’ primary political party organization, is undergoing significant changes as former President Donald Trump seeks to strengthen his influence on the party going into the 2024 general election. This transformation is expected to bring a new level of unity and focus to the RNC, as Trump installs a trio of trusted leaders in key positions.

Last week, Trump announced his intention to merge his reelection campaign and the RNC into a “seamless operation.” This move is aimed at streamlining the party’s efforts and ensuring a coordinated approach to the upcoming election. The new leadership team includes Lara Trump, Donald Trump’s daughter-in-law, and Chris LaCivita, a senior campaign adviser.

Lara Trump is expected to stand for election as RNC co-chair, alongside Michael Whaley, who will be the new chairman, replacing Ronna McDaniel. Lara Trump is expected to step down from her role in the campaign soon after the South Carolina GOP primary on Saturday. Chris LaCivita, a long-time Republican operative and former U.S. Marine, will serve as the RNC’s chief operating officer.

LaCivita, who has worked on numerous state and federal campaigns, including Sen. Rand Paul’s 2016 presidential run, is known for his sharp focus on winning races and bringing structure to party spending and fundraising. The Trump campaign is looking to him to bring much-needed discipline to the RNC, which has struggled with lackluster fundraising in recent years.

In 2023, the RNC had its worst fundraising year in a decade, with just $8 million in cash on hand, the lowest since 2014. One of LaCivita’s key goals is to unify the different factions within the party and improve the party’s fundraising efforts.

Several former Trump officials have praised LaCivita for his focus on winning races and his ability to bring structure to party operations. They believe he will be instrumental in bringing unity to the RNC and improving its fundraising capabilities.

LaCivita’s appointment as the RNC’s chief operating officer is a significant move, as he will serve as the key liaison between the campaign and the party. He is expected to split his time between the RNC and the Trump campaign, which he runs along with Susie Wiles, another top adviser.

The Trump-backed leadership team is also expected to focus on expanding early voting efforts, which have traditionally been dominated by Democrats. For years, Trump has expressed distrust of early voting and ballot harvesting, calling for only in-person voting on Election Day and paper ballots. However, privately, Republicans acknowledge the need to adapt to changing voter trends and embrace early voting initiatives.

The RNC’s early voting initiative, called “Bank Your Vote,” was launched in June 2023, with the goal of boosting mail and early in-person voting and ballot harvesting in the presidential race. Although Republicans have been hesitant to embrace early voting in the past, they recognize the need to adapt to changing voter trends and expand their reach.

The new leadership team’s focus on early voting is expected to bring significant changes to the party’s approach to voter outreach and engagement. By embracing early voting initiatives, the RNC hopes to build upon the successes of Republican-led efforts in states like Virginia, where Gov. Glenn Youngkin invested heavily in early voting efforts in 2023.

Despite the challenges facing the RNC, the new leadership team is optimistic about the party’s prospects in the upcoming election. With a focus on unity, fundraising, and voter engagement, the RNC is poised to make a strong showing in 2024.

In conclusion, the Republican National Committee is undergoing significant changes as former President Donald Trump seeks to strengthen his influence on the party going into the 2024 general election. The appointment of Lara Trump and Chris LaCivita as key leaders in the party is expected to bring a new level of unity and focus to the RNC, as well as improvements to fundraising and voter engagement efforts. The party’s focus on early voting initiatives is also expected to bring significant changes to the party’s approach to voter outreach and engagement. With a renewed sense of purpose and a focus on winning races, the RNC is poised to make a strong showing in the upcoming election.