Former President Donald Trump suggested a change in leadership for the Republican National Committee (RNC), indicating during a Newsmax interview on Monday that Ronna McDaniel should step down from her role as the head of the RNC. This marks a notable departure from Trump’s previous praise for McDaniel.
Speaking from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, Trump was asked about McDaniel’s position, and he responded affirmatively, stating, “Well, I think she knows that. I think she understands that.” McDaniel was reportedly present at Mar-a-Lago on Monday night.
Trump’s remarks come in the context of his desire to return to the White House. In a Fox News interview on Sunday, he hinted at potential changes within the RNC without providing specific details.
RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel (Credits: NBC News)
The RNC did not immediately respond to Trump’s comments, either on Sunday or Monday night.
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Monday night, Trump referred to McDaniel as his “friend” and acknowledged her past role as the Michigan GOP chairwoman during his 2016 general election victory in the state.
He stated that he would make a decision regarding his recommendations for RNC Growth the day after the South Carolina Primary, which is scheduled for February 24.
Ronna McDaniel has been a vocal supporter of Trump, expressing confidence in his potential nomination for the presidency. After Trump decisively won the New Hampshire Republican primary last month, McDaniel stated on Fox News that “it’s time to move forward, and I think Donald Trump is going to be the nominee.”
This comes as former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley has expressed her intention to stay in the race through Super Tuesday in early March.
Trump appointed McDaniel to lead the RNC in 2017, and she secured re-election for a fourth term last year despite the party’s less-than-stellar performance in the midterm elections.
The upcoming South Carolina Primary will likely play a role in shaping Trump’s recommendations for the RNC’s future leadership, with the decision expected to be announced shortly after the primary on February 24.
