RNC Selects Michael Whatley and Lara Trump as New Leaders

Protect and strengthen democratic society today and for the future. Invest in AllSides
Protect and strengthen democratic society today and for the future. Invest in AllSides
Protect and strengthen democratic society today and for the future. Invest in AllSides

See How AllSides Rates Other Media Outlets

We have rated the bias of nearly 600 outlets and writers!
See some of the most popular below:

Want to see more?
Check out the AllSides Media Bias Chart, or go to our Media Bias Ratings page to see everything.

See How AllSides Rates Other Media Outlets

We have rated the bias of nearly 600 outlets and writers!
See some of the most popular below:

Want to see more?
Check out the AllSides Media Bias Chart, or go to our Media Bias Ratings page to see everything.

See How AllSides Rates Other Media Outlets

We have rated the bias of nearly 600 outlets and writers!
See some of the most popular below:

Want to see more?
Check out the AllSides Media Bias Chart, or go to our Media Bias Ratings page to see everything.

Invest in

Invest in

Invest in

What America Do We Want to Be?

Join Living Room Conversations, our civil dialogue partner, and America Indivisible for a nationwide conversation on April 13, Thomas Jefferson’s 276th birthday. "Reckoning with Jefferson: A Nationwide Conversation on Race, Religion, and the America We Want to Be" will be held via in-person and online video discussions. Sign up today!

What America Do We Want to Be?

Join Living Room Conversations, our civil dialogue partner, and America Indivisible for a nationwide conversation on April 13, Thomas Jefferson’s 276th birthday. "Reckoning with Jefferson: A Nationwide Conversation on Race, Religion, and the America We Want to Be" will be held via in-person and online video discussions. Sign up today!

What America Do We Want to Be?

Join Living Room Conversations, our civil dialogue partner, and America Indivisible for a nationwide conversation on April 13, Thomas Jefferson’s 276th birthday. "Reckoning with Jefferson: A Nationwide Conversation on Race, Religion, and the America We Want to Be" will be held via in-person and online video discussions. Sign up today!

Practical, engaging webinars designed to transform how you approach current events and facilitate productive classroom discussions.

The Art of Discussion - Civic Learning Week

Wednesday March 12, 2025 | 6:00 PM Eastern Time

Learn how to facilitate respectful dialogue across political and social divides using Mismatch, our platform for connecting students with diverse viewpoints.

Register for the webinar PD Benefits Page
 

Practical, engaging webinars designed to transform how you approach current events and facilitate productive classroom discussions.

The Art of Discussion - Civic Learning Week

Wednesday March 12, 2025 | 6:00 PM Eastern Time

Learn how to facilitate respectful dialogue across political and social divides using Mismatch, our platform for connecting students with diverse viewpoints.

Register for the webinar PD Benefits Page
 

Practical, engaging webinars designed to transform how you approach current events and facilitate productive classroom discussions.

The Art of Discussion - Civic Learning Week

Wednesday March 12, 2025 | 6:00 PM Eastern Time

Learn how to facilitate respectful dialogue across political and social divides using Mismatch, our platform for connecting students with diverse viewpoints.

Register for the webinar PD Benefits Page
 

See How AllSides Rates Other Media Outlets

We have rated the bias of nearly 600 outlets and writers!

See some of the most popular below:

Want to see more?

Check out the AllSides Media Bias Chart, or go to our Media Bias Ratings page to see everything.

See How AllSides Rates Other Media Outlets

We have rated the bias of nearly 600 outlets and writers!

See some of the most popular below:

Want to see more?

Check out the AllSides Media Bias Chart, or go to our Media Bias Ratings page to see everything.

See How AllSides Rates Other Media Outlets

We have rated the bias of nearly 600 outlets and writers!

See some of the most popular below:

Want to see more?

Check out the AllSides Media Bias Chart, or go to our Media Bias Ratings page to see everything.

 

 

 

Support AllSides

Please consider becoming a sustaining member or making a one-time donation to help keep AllSides online.

Become a Sustaining Member

Make a one-time donation.

Support AllSides

Please consider becoming a sustaining member or making a one-time donation to help keep AllSides online.

Become a Sustaining Member

Make a one-time donation.

Support AllSides

Please consider becoming a sustaining member or making a one-time donation to help keep AllSides online.

Become a Sustaining Member

Make a one-time donation.

The Republican National Committee unanimously selected two new leaders on Friday: former RNC general counsel Michael Whatley and Lara Trump, daughter-in-law of former President Donald Trump.

Details: Whatley will serve as Chairman, and Lara Trump, wife of Eric Trump, will serve as Co-Chair. Both of the new leaders were endorsed by Trump to take over following the resignation of Ronna McDaniel, who was expected to serve as leader until 2025 but resigned amid growing criticism from Trump.

Key Quotes: While accepting the position, Whatley outlined his focus on battleground states during the 2024 election season, stating that “The races in those states and districts will be won or lost by the narrowest of margins. In order for Republicans to win, we must focus on two primary conditions, getting out the vote and protecting the data,” he said, adding, “Which means that the Republican National Committee will be focused like a laser on getting out the vote and protecting the ballot.” Lara Trump stated that she is “laser-focused on protecting our elections,” adding, “everything I do at this committee will have one focus: re-electing Donald Trump, flipping the Senate, and expanding the House this November.”

How the Media Covered It: Left- and center-rated outlets framed the new leadership as Donald Trump strengthening his control over the Republican Party. Forbes (Center bias) noted that Lara Trump previously suggested using RNC funds to help pay Trump’s legal fees, but the suggestion was not addressed during Friday’s meeting.

Topics
Publish
Publish

The Republican National Committee on Friday selected new leaders who were handpicked by former President Donald J. Trump, a move expected to tighten the expected nominee’s hold on the party’s machinery ahead of the general election.

The committee unanimously elected Michael Whatley, who led the North Carolina Republican Party and was the R.N.C.’s general counsel, as its chair and Lara Trump, Mr. Trump’s daughter-in-law, as co-chair.

The Republican National Committee elected Lara Trump—daughter-in-law of former President Donald Trump—and another Trump ally, Michael Whatley, to be its new leaders in a move that strengthens the former president’s grasp on the party after he all but secured the presidential nomination earlier in the week.

Lara Trump and Whatley were both endorsed by Trump—who praised them, saying Whatley had a “commit[ment] to election integrity” and Lara Trump is “dedicated to all that MAGA stands for”—in February after former chair Ronna McDaniel announced she was stepping down.

The Republican National Committee elected its new senior leadership team Friday at the party‘s annual spring meeting, closing the book on Ronna McDaneil’s longtime stewardship of the Republican Party.

Taking the reins of the RNC are Chairman Michael Whatley and Co-Chair Lara Trump, who were handpicked by former President Donald Trump for the election-year takeover of the GOP after he forced out Ms. McDaniel.

The 168 RNC members unanimously elected Mr. Whatley and Ms. Trump in a voice vote Friday at the RNC‘s spring meeting in Houston.