‘Bloodbath’ At The Republican National Committee As Trump Loyalist Leadership Slashes Veteran Staffers

The Republican National Committee (RNC) has initiated a brutal round of staff layoffs shortly after a team handpicked by Donald Trump assumed control of the organization. The cuts extend across various departments and include mid-level employees, as well as vendors. Insiders are calling it a “bloodbath.”

While it is common for national committees to experience staff turnover after a presidential nominee is chosen, the scale of these layoffs is unusually extensive and highlights the former president’s desire for absolute control over the party.

The layoffs have affected top officials in communications, the political department and the data team.

Last week, Michael Whatley, chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party, was elected as the RNC’s new chairperson and succeeded Ronna McDaniel. McDaniel stepped down at Trump’s request after lackluster fundraising.

Additionally, Chris LaCivita, co-campaign manager for the Trump campaign, assumed the role of the RNC’s chief operating officer and maintained his campaign responsibilities. LaCivita swiftly recruited Sean Cairncross, who has previously worked with the organization, as his deputy.

Lara Trump, the ex-president’s daughter-in-law, was elected as co-chair in a move that critics decried as “nepotism.”

Cairncross informed staff that Whatley will evaluate the organization and its personnel to ensure alignment with his vision for the fast-approaching November election. Cairncross stated that some staff members would be asked to resign and then reapply for positions on the team.

The most significant cuts occurred in the data and political departments, along with reductions in state directors and regional political directors. The election integrity division remains unaffected. The digital and finance teams will operate out of Palm Beach, Florida, to be near the former president.

These staff reductions reflect two key factors that impact the RNC and the Trump campaign. Trump and his team have expressed a strong interest in aligning the organization closely with the presidential campaign. Trump specifically supported Whatley’s candidacy for RNC chair due to his reputation for claims of voter fraud.

Simultaneously, the committee has faced challenges in fundraising and recorded one of its weakest fundraising periods in decades.

Lara Trump is expected to focus on fundraising and public appearances. Whatley will assume a more operational role where he will oversee the organization and fulfill Trump’s desire to thoroughly investigate “voter fraud” in the election.

The staff cuts have raised concerns among Republican operatives about the RNC’s future capabilities. Questions about the committee’s ability to support a presidential campaign, particularly in terms of fielding a robust ground operation, have been raised.

In contrast, the Biden campaign has deployed approximately 100 staff members across battleground states, with plans to open 100 offices and recruit at least 350 new staff members in the coming month. A Biden campaign official highlighted the RNC’s lack of announced staff or programs in battleground states, suggesting a limited infrastructure inherited from weakened state parties.