Former President Donald Trump has thrown his support behind his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, for a leadership role in the Republican National Committee (RNC). According to an announcement from Trump's campaign on Monday night, the former president proposed that Lara Trump, a former television producer and wife to his son Eric, become the co-chair of the RNC alongside Michael Whatley, the committee's general counsel. Trump's endorsement of Lara Trump is seen as an attempt to further solidify his influence over the Republican Party, especially as the 2024 nominating contest continues.
#LaraTrump #DonaldTrump #RepublicanNationalCommittee #RonnaMcDaniel #RNC #MichaelWhatley
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#LaraTrump #DonaldTrump #RepublicanNationalCommittee #RonnaMcDaniel #RNC #MichaelWhatley
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00:00 In a surprising move, former US President Donald Trump has thrown his support behind
00:07 his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, for a leadership role in the Republican National Committee
00:12 or RNC.
00:13 According to an announcement from Trump's campaign on Monday night, the former president
00:18 proposed that Lara Trump, who is a former television producer and wife to his son Eric,
00:24 become the co-chair of the RNC alongside Michael Whatley.
00:28 Michael Whatley is the committee's general counsel.
00:31 Trump's endorsement of Lara Trump is seen as an attempt to further solidify his influence
00:36 over the Republican Party, especially as the 2024 nominating contest continues.
00:42 Donald Trump said, "My very talented daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, has agreed to run as the RNC co-chair.
00:50 Lara is an extremely talented communicator and is dedicated to all that MAGA stands for."
00:55 Trump described Michael Whatley as a dedicated supporter, emphasising his commitment to election
01:00 integrity despite Whatley's alignment with Trump's false claims about the 2020 presidential
01:06 election.
01:08 Alongside Lara Trump and Michael Whatley, Trump announced Chris Lasiveta to take on
01:13 the role of RNC Chief Operating Officer or COO responsible for managing the committee's
01:17 day-to-day operations in preparation for the 2024 election.
01:22 If Lara Trump assumes the position, this move would consolidate Donald Trump's control
01:27 over the Republican campaign apparatus.
01:29 Both Lara Trump and Michael Whatley hail from North Carolina, a state Democrats view as
01:34 a potential battleground in the upcoming presidential election.
01:38 In related news, current RNC chairwoman Ronna McDaniel is reportedly considering stepping
01:43 down from her position.
01:45 Sources indicated that McDaniel has informed Trump of her intention to vacate the position
01:50 following the South Carolina Republican primary on February 24, where Trump aims to secure
01:55 an embarrassing defeat for the state's former governor, Nikki Haley.
02:00 McDaniel, who has led the RNC since 2017, has faced criticism over the party's lacklustre
02:06 electoral performances and fundraising difficulties.
02:09 The RNC raised $87 million in 2023, ending the year with $8 million in cash on hand,
02:16 significantly less than the Democratic National Committee's $20 million in the bank after
02:21 raising $120 million.
02:23 The Democratic National Committee, along with President Joe Biden's campaign and supporting
02:28 committees, amassed a $117 million war chest.
02:31 In comparison, Trump's campaign ended the year with $33 million.
02:36 As the 2024 political landscape takes shape, the battle for control over the RNC intensifies,
02:42 setting the stage for a contentious and closely watched election year.
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