Lara Trump has said she will spend “every single penny” on Donald Trump if she is elected co-chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC).
Speaking to Rob Schmitt on Newsmax, the former president’s daughter-in-law set out her stall following the GOP frontrunner’s endorsement of her for the role.
The Context
Conversation has turned to the future of the RNC after The New York Times last week published a report citing anonymous sources who said the incumbent chair Ronna McDaniel was to step down.
Lara Trump speaks during the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the Gaylord National Resort Hotel And Convention Center on March 03, 2023 in National Harbor, Maryland. Former President Donald Trump said his daughter-in-law…
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The publication reported that McDaniel told the former president she would step down after the South Carolina primary later this month amid mounting criticism about her performance. McDaniel herself has not confirmed that she is stepping down.
“Nothing has changed. This will be decided after South Carolina,” RNC spokesperson Keith Schipper told Newsweek last week.
On Tuesday, the former president outlined his support for Lara Trump, who is married to his son Eric and was a senior adviser to the Trump campaign in 2020.
“Lara is an extremely talented communicator and is dedicated to all that MAGA stands for,” Trump said in a statement. “She has told me she wants to accept this challenge and would be GREAT!”
He also endorsed the North Carolina Republican Party chairman, Michael Whatley, who serves as general counsel of the RNC, as chair.
What We Know
Speaking to Schmitt, Lara Trump said: “If I am elected to this position, I can assure you there will not be any more $70,000, or whatever exorbitant amount of money it was, spent on flowers. Every single penny will go to the number one and the only job of the RNC. That is electing Donald J. Trump as the president of the United States.”
She was referencing reporting from Jennifer Van Laar, a journalist for the conservative outlet RedState, that said the RNC spent $70,000 on flowers last year while the Democrats spent $795 in that period for the same category.
The GOP governing body has reported lower bank balances over the last few years, according to disclosures to the Federal Election Commission. With $9.96 million in spending money, the RNC had less than half the $21.35 million it reported in the year Donald Trump won the presidential election.
Views
Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer, said the former president wasn’t a fan of his daughter-in-law for several years. Speaking on Tuesday with Ben Meiselas, co-founder of the progressive media outlet MeidasTouch on the Political Beatdown podcast, he said: “He didn’t want Eric to even marry her. He had found somebody else that was working at the Trump Organization that he wanted Eric to marry.
“And of course, not only did Donald make fun of her looks, but so of course did [Donald Trump Jr.] and Ivanka [Trump], they all made fun of her looks. They just didn’t like her at all,” Cohen continued.
What’s Next?
As per the RNC, any changes to the GOP governing body will be decided after the South Carolina primary, which will be held on February 24. While Trump has made his choice of candidates clear, if McDaniel steps down it will be for members of the party to vote for the next chair.
Update 2/14/24, 5:05 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information and context.
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