On Friday, the Republican National Committee (RNC) officially elected Michael Whatley as its new head and Lara Trump as its co-chair in Houston.
Congratulations to @LaraLeaTrump on being elected to be part of a much-needed change at the RNC!
I cannot wait to see the incredible results that she is able to deliver! pic.twitter.com/vRDkRWDE7s
— Lauren Boebert (@laurenboebert) March 9, 2024
Whatley, a North Carolina MAGA Republican, is replacing Ronna McDaniel. He assured RNC members that the organization “will be focused like a laser on getting out the vote and protecting the ballot.”
“In less than eight months, we are going to determine the fate of not only the United States but of the entire world,” Whatley said. “And this body, the RNC, is going to be the vanguard of a movement that will work tirelessly, every single day to elect our nominee Donald J. Trump as the 47th president of the United States, flip the Senate, expand our majority in the House of Representatives.”
“Election integrity” has been an important factor for the Trump campaign, after there was speculation about voter fraud leading to his loss to President Joe Biden.
Whatley said that the RNC will work “hand in glove” with Trump’s campaign.
“If a dollar that we have is not directed towards winning this November, that dollar will not be spent,” he said.
Mrs. Trump’s main focus will be on raising funds and media appearances, after her predecessor was heavily criticized for not bringing in as much, falling behind the Democrats. She was enthusiastic about her new role, already sharing progress made by the RNC, and receiving a check for $100,000.
CONGRATS @LaraLeaTrump the RNC is FINALLY in good hands!!
I can’t wait to see what you do!!! pic.twitter.com/0KY5oeaVcV
— Graham Allen (@GrahamAllen_1) March 9, 2024
“We’ve got to play the game a little bit differently. We have to encourage people to do things like early voting,” she said.
In her speech, Mrs. Trump emphasized the importance of early voting and said she is “ready to work.”
“The goal on Nov. 5 is to win, as my father-in-law says, ‘bigly,’” she said.
There has been speculation from the former president’s adversaries that the funds raised by the RNC will go to his legal funds. Trump campaign advisor Chris LaCivita denied those rumors.
“The fact of the matter is not a penny of the RNC’s money or, for that matter, the campaign’s money has gone or will go to pay legal fees,” LaCivita told The Associated Press.