Lara Trump, former President Donald Trump’s daughter-in-law, recently took the helm as the co-chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC). The RNC is responsible for supporting and promoting Republican candidates and policy. Under her leadership, the entire operation has conformed to Trump’s image.
New Leadership at the RNC
Lara Trump spoke to the Associated Press about her new role, stating her top priority: “My No. 1 goal is ensuring that Donald Trump is the 47th president.” Lara’s presence at the RNC displays the chokehold Donald Trump has over the entire GOP, as the RNC is also a pipeline for aiding and selecting friendly Republican candidates up and down the ballot.
Embracing Trump’s Style
A leadership shakeup accompanied Lara Trump’s ascendance to the top of the RNC. She had implemented a management style similar to that of the former President, replacing long-term staff and engaging and courting groups and figures who supported Donald Trump loyally and stalwartly throughout the post-2020 election period, when he lost considerable support from other corners.
Fundraising Surge
Under the new management, the RNC’s fundraising apparatus, one of the committee’s most important functions, has seen dramatic growth.
Lara Trump’s Political Campaign Credentials
Lara Trump touted her credentials to the AP, stating, “You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who has had as much political experience as I have in any campaign right now.”
Criticism from Within
While the main thrust of the RNC is to get its candidate elected to national office, the downstream effect is also to support Republican candidates in the Senate and House who align with the candidate’s vision. Some lawmakers and campaign officials have criticized that having an operation rotating around a Trump presidency, run by a Trump, is myopic in not representing the interests of other candidates at the federal level.
Unquestioning Loyalty Required
A former RNC Chair, Marc Racicot, stated his concerns about the Trump-centric institution, telling the AP, “It kind of suggests an expectation of complete, unabashed, and perhaps, a blind loyalty to the candidate.” In most politics, there is room for some diversity of opinion around the main themes of the overarching political philosophy. This freedom of perspective may not be represented in the dictates of the Trump RNC.
Structural Changes
The installation of Lara Trump as co-chair of the RNC was a significant step in overhauling the institution to operate at the standards set by the Trump enterprise. Trump supporter Michael Whatley replaced past chair Ronna McDaniel.
Bringing Together the Trump Campaign with the RNC in Joint Effort
The result was the merging of the Republican offices with the Trump campaign, in which there was total unity among the two entities and little room for divergence or personal disagreement. Trump campaign spokesman Brian Hughes stated, “By joining the two organizations together, we are all rolling in the same direction to get President Trump elected.”
Boosting Morale and Funds
Republican support has come rolling in as the changes were in effect. The RNC raised $76 million in April and $65.6 million in March, a substantial increase from previous months. Whatley spoke in glowing tones of Lara Trump’s benefit to the party’s fundraising arm, saying, “My friend Lara can raise money, inspire our grassroots, and deliver our message extremely effectively.”
Concerns Over Strategy
Lara Trump dismisses concerns that the RNC only worries about securing Trump’s victory in November. The RNC’s mission is to support the President’s platform in the Senate and House races. Lara Trump acknowledged the concerns of those worried about exclusive focus on the top candidate. She stated, “It would be very silly of me to assume that only having the presidency would be able to achieve the goals of the Republican Party.” She then emphasized the importance of achieving majority votes in both Houses of Congress.
Engaging Fringe Groups
Under Lara Trump’s leadership, the RNC engages with previously seen as “fringe” groups within the Republican party. For example, Lara Trump praised election denier Scott Presler and his Early Vote Action group as a “Grassroots hero.” She will also work closely with Turning Point USA, an ultra-conservative group led by Charlie Kirk that appeals to the youngest eligible voters.
Promoting Mail-in Voting
One initiative Lara Trump has taken on is to make it easier for Trump voters to mail in their ballots. She suggested a policy that local governments should be unable to process and count ballots after election day to cut down on the prospect of eleventh-hour election fraud.
Controversial Public Role
Lara Trump has a background in communications and media. She hosts her own podcast and regularly makes media appearances. She has made notable remarks on air, including stating that the RNC filed lawsuits in “81 states.” She was also widely panned for a musical cover of “I Won’t Back Down” by Tom Petty.
Scorched Earth Tactics
Her rhetoric energizes Trump’s targeted base but often leaves those who are not as enthusiastic about Trump with apprehension about his tactics. For example, Lara Trump has touted the extreme retribution facing his political opponents if he ascends to the Presidency again. She has promised “four years of scorched earth” if President Trump is reelected. This energizes some and dissuades other undecided voters.
