Ronna McDaniel to step down as RNC Chair

Republican National Committee chairwoman, Ronna McDaniel is set to step down from her role later this month, according to several reports, potentially allowing former President Donald Trump to pick her replacement, which the committee will have to vote on.

According to the New York Times, which first reported the move citing unnamed sources, McDaniel is reportedly planning to step down after the South Carolina primary on February 24.

Citing two unnamed party advisers, CNN reported McDaniel has informed Trump about her plans to step down.

Trump is likely to back North Carolina GOP chair Michael Whatley—a vocal supporter who has endorsed Trump’s false claims about a stolen 2020 election—as McDaniel’s replacement.

RNC committee members will need to vote on the replacement. Two other Trump supporters, South Carolina Republican Party chairman, Drew McKissick and Florida state Sen. Joe Gruters, are also reportedly in contention for the role.

RNC spokesperson, Keith Schipper said “Nothing has changed. This will be decided after South Carolina.”

Talk of McDaniel’s purported exit follows reports of tensions between the RNC and the Trump campaign over the former’s lackluster fundraising efforts.

Trump met with McDaniel at his Mar-A-Lago residence on Monday. After the meeting, the former president referred to McDaniel as his “friend” in a Truth Social post but added: “I’ll be making a decision the day after the South Carolina Primary as to my recommendations for RNC Growth.”

In an interview with Newsmax, which aired later that day, Trump was much more blunt when asked if McDaniel should step down, stating: “I think she knows that. I think she understands that.”

In an odd twist, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) shared a report about former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) whom he helped oust from the role potentially being in the running for the role on X and said he would fully endorse the California lawmaker.

Gaetz called McCarthy “well organised and a very high-revenue fundraiser,” but also appeared to take a shot at him, stating that the RNC Chair doesn’t make any policy decisions, set any agenda, or negotiate against Democrats, ever.

Earlier on Tuesday, RNC Chief of Staff, Mike Reed reportedly informed his colleagues he was stepping down next month to pursue a role in the private sector.

Reed said he had informed McDaniel about this “a year ago,” but both decided he would continue to serve “until the 2024 Winter Meeting,” which was held last week