Is Ronna McDaniel Stepping Down as RNC Chair?

(RepublicanView.org) – Trump called for significant changes to the Republican National Committee (RNC) on February 4 ahead of his meeting with Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel one day later. Recent reports indicate that McDaniel may be on her way out soon, although nothing has been officially confirmed yet.

The two met at his estate in Mar-a-Lago, FL. No details have been released about the discussion. However, he published a post on his social media platform Truth Social while she is a “friend,” he is still pushing for changes after South Carolina’s Republican primary in late February. That’s when he is expected to go up against Nikki Haley in her home state during their primaries. He also said that McDaniel knew she should resign from the position.

McDaniel, one of Mitt Romney’s nieces, was personally appointed by Trump in 2017 as the RNC’s chairwoman. Both have since maintained a close relationship. She maintained the position longer than anyone else in the party’s history.

However, the RNC has recently been rocked by a series of challenges. It only managed to have $8 million on hand by the end of 2023, not even half of what the Democratic National Committee held. Trump himself has also criticized the RNC for hosting debates rather than focusing on the issues more.

McDaniel herself has also been criticized by activists and conservative organizations as strongly supporting the “establishment.” Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy called McDaniel out in November 2023 over the party’s financial woes. He publicly called for her resignation at that time.

News outlets have alleged that McDaniel and Trump have discussed McDaniel resigning after the South Carolina primary vote. Sources told The New York Times that Trump is expected to endorse Michael Whatley, who currently runs North Carolina’s Republican Party, for the role. However, an RNC spokesperson named Keith Schipper reportedly took to social media to say that “nothing has changed” and a decision would be made after the South Carolina primary.