Former President Donald Trump has suggested that there may be changes coming to the Republican National Committee (RNC), led by Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel. Trump made these remarks during an interview on 'Sunday Morning Futures,' where he expressed his mixed opinion on McDaniel's performance.
Trump acknowledged that McDaniel did a great job running Michigan for him and initially performed well in her role at the RNC. However, he hinted at the possibility of upcoming changes within the committee.
The RNC's recent financial status has prompted some concerns. According to Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings, the committee reported its lowest cash on hand since 2014, with just $8 million in the bank at the end of December. In comparison, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) raised approximately $40 million during the fourth quarter of 2023, surpassing the RNC's $20 million. The DNC also reported a significantly larger sum of $21 million in reserves.
The RNC's underperformance in the 2022 midterms and loss on several high-profile ballot questions in 2023 has led to criticism of McDaniel by certain Republicans. Former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy was particularly vocal in his critique, describing the GOP as a 'party of losers' and blaming McDaniel for the party's lackluster performance since 2018.
The recent 2024 Republican National Committee winter meeting held in Las Vegas further exposed divisions within the organization regarding who should be held accountable for the disappointing results. Some RNC members expressed frustration with the criticisms directed at McDaniel, arguing that Trump's legal issues could potentially harm the party's chances in 2024. Others took issue with McDaniel's management of the RNC's budget and finances.
McDaniel, who played a crucial role in delivering Michigan to Trump during the 2016 presidential election, initially received Trump's endorsement when she ran for party chair in 2017. Last year, she was elected to a fourth consecutive term. Notably, Trump did not publicly support any candidate during that race, encouraging McDaniel and Harmeet Dhillon, an RNC committeewoman and Trump's attorney, to compete for the position.
Despite the criticisms faced, McDaniel has remained steadfast in her loyalty to Trump during the 2024 presidential campaign. She recently called for Trump's GOP rival, Nikki Haley, to drop out of the race after her defeats in Iowa and New Hampshire, emphasizing the need to unite around Trump as the eventual nominee.
As the RNC evaluates its shortcomings and seeks to regroup for future elections, the potential for changes within the committee, as hinted by Trump, suggests a desire for improvement and adaptability. Whether these changes will lead to a more successful Republican Party remains to be seen, but the atmosphere within the RNC is undoubtedly one of evolution and reflection.
