Having extensively navigated the fundraising arena and campaigned passionately as a representative, Lara Trump, daughter-in-law to former President Donald Trump, is now positioned to play a significant part within the party, especially amid expectations of a shakeup following the South Carolina primary on February 23.
In a press release issued by his campaign on Monday night, Trump proudly announced Lara Trump’s candidacy for the position of RNC Co-Chair, commending her exceptional communication abilities and steadfast dedication to the MAGA principles. Trump expressed full confidence in Lara’s capabilities, asserting her preparedness for the challenges ahead.
Married to Eric Trump, Lara’s involvement in her father-in-law’s campaigns has steadily increased, reaching a pinnacle with a notable speaking engagement during the penultimate evening of the 2020 Republican National Convention.
For Lara Trump to step into her new role, she awaits a confirmation vote from the majority of the RNC’s 168 members. Typically, during an election year, there’s a customary inclination to support nominees endorsed by the presumptive leader of the party.
Trump has thrown his support behind Michael Whatley, the current North Carolina GOP Chairman, as the prospective successor to outgoing RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, who has indicated her intention to resign post the South Carolina primary.
As part of the endorsement, Chris LaCivita, a key figure in Trump’s campaign, was slated for the other co-chair position under Whatley, adhering to party rules mandating gender parity. However, LaCivita’s role would essentially entail overseeing the party’s day-to-day operations as the chief operating officer.
The RNC’s financial situation presents a challenge, with 2023 marking its lowest fundraising performance in a decade, leaving a modest $8 million in cash reserves by year-end, a significant contrast to the Trump campaign’s robust $33 million. By comparison, at this juncture in 2020, the RNC boasted $72 million in reserves.
Despite the initial coverage of some legal expenses for Trump by the RNC, prevailing party regulations have prohibited any further allocation of funds towards his legal representation since his official entry into the presidential race immediately after the 2022 midterms.