It seems we have an exciting update from the political grapevine. Former President Donald Trump has privately hinted at boosting the chances of a key ally on the Republican National Committee to take the reins from Ronna McDaniel when she steps down as chair later this month. And who’s this lucky guy? None other than Michael Whatley, chairman of the North Carolina state GOP.
Why Whatley, you ask? Well, sources claim that Trump finds Whatley personally appealing because he is a “stop the steal guy” who helped deliver his state to the former president in 2020. Now, isn’t that the kind of loyalty we all want on our side?
McDaniel, who has led the party since 2017, has faced months of criticism over what some see as poor performances by the RNC both in terms of fundraising and a robust election integrity effort. She announced Tuesday evening that she would be resigning from her post on February 25th, the day after the South Carolina Republican primary.
Whatley has guided the NCGOP to supermajorities in the state legislature, earning re-elections in 2021 and 2023 by comfortable margins. His colleagues in North Carolina were quick to praise his selection by Trump. Susan Mills, NC Republican Party vice chair and a close ally of Whatley, said, “As we’ve seen in North Carolina, Chairman Whatley can bring Trump to victory and will do so in 2024.”
However, the road ahead for Whatley isn’t all roses and sunshine. He faces the considerable challenge of winning over swaths of McDaniel allies on the 186-member body. She won a majority of the committee’s support during a secret 2023 vote against Harmeet Dhillon, who fashioned herself as more in line with President Trump’s MAGA base.
Moreover, the RNC has spent more money than it’s brought in for three years straight. Recent filings showed that the RNC had just over $8 million in cash on hand against $1.8 million in debts, a fraction of the Democratic Party’s war chest.
Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, has made it a priority to push for McDaniel’s removal, and Whatley will need to win him over. “We need a strong RNC to win. President Trump deserves this, and I will do everything in my power to help,” Kirk wrote following news about McDaniel’s looming retirement.
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