Donald Trump Nominates Daughter-In-Law, Lara Trump, As RNC Co-Chair, Reigniting Nepotism Charges

Donald Trump has officially endorsed GOP North Carolina Chair Michael Whatley as his preferred successor to lead the Republican National Committee (RNC). Additionally, Trump threw his support behind Lara Trump, his daughter-in-law, for the position of RNC co-chair.

These endorsements mark a decisive move by Trump to bring about a change in the committee’s leadership and follow weeks of reports that have suggested his mounting dissatisfaction with RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel.

Lara, a vocal surrogate for the ex-president, was briefly considered as a potential candidate for the North Carolina Senate in the 2022 campaign.

Lara’s nomination provoked howls of nepotism from critics inside and outside the party. The former president’s only remaining opponent for the GOP presidential nomination, Nikki Haley, said of the move, “We don’t have kings in this country.”

While Trump’s endorsement does not guarantee automatic election, the move will undoubtedly inspire support from his followers.

When McDaniel steps down, the committee will need to hold a vote among its members, which is expected to take place shortly after the South Carolina primary on February 24. However, this is likely to be a mere formality, as party members can be expected to align with the presidential nominee’s preferences.

As a component of his broader effort to restructure the RNC, Trump plans to enlist Chris LaCivita as the RNC’s chief operating officer, in addition to his current role as co-campaign manager of the Trump campaign. This staff change will take effect once a new chair assumes office.

Trump made a statement that emphasized the crucial role of the RNC in the upcoming presidential election and stressed the need for flawless execution. He called for transparent elections across the country, diligent voter mobilization even in challenging regions and close collaboration with his campaign to secure victory.

Trump’s selection of Whatley is motivated, in part, by the North Carolinian’s alignment with one of the former president’s key concerns: unsubstantiated claims of election fraud.

In the past, Whatley has voiced his belief that elections are vulnerable to fraud. He has also defended Trump against his involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Whatley advocated to censure then-Sen. Richard Burr (R-North Carolina) for his support of Trump’s second impeachment.

In his new capacity, LaCivita will divide his time between Trump’s headquarters in Palm Beach, Florida, and the RNC offices in Washington, D.C. A former executive director of the Virginia GOP who provided consulting services to the RNC during the 2016 election, LaCivita will concentrate on bolstering the committee’s efforts in battleground states.

In 2022, Lara made headlines when she posted a photo with her infant son playing in the rain during a hurricane.