Donald Trump’s allies, who have been appointed to oversee the Republican National Committee, have encountered a challenging initial month in their new roles. They have been confronted with staffing issues and operational challenges as they strive to bring the party machinery under the control of the Trump campaign ahead of the 2024 election.
Donald Trump has expressed his belief that it should be up to each individual state to determine their own abortion laws.
The Trump campaign has privately criticized its new leaders at the RNC due to the internal conflicts within the organization. However, the decision to initiate a purge may have had unintended consequences for the RNC, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.
The RNC witnessed a significant shift in power under the leadership of Trump. Shortly after Michael Whatley and Lara Trump were elected as the new chair and co-chair respectively, a strong message was sent to the entire organization. Team members were given the option to either resign and reapply for their positions or face termination. This move demonstrated the new administration’s determination to make their mark on the RNC.
The main goal was to prevent any duplication between the RNC and the Trump campaign. This was done to avoid any redundancy, as the Trump campaign already had strong political and communications teams in place. Additionally, this process aimed to identify and remove any staff members who were not fully dedicated to Trump and the broader Maga movement.
However, the intimidating tactics of termination and loyalty tests, which were proven true when employees were questioned during job interviews about their belief in the 2020 election being stolen from Trump, despite the lack of evidence of election fraud, may have been excessively forceful.
According to sources, in the weeks that followed, the new RNC leadership made offers to a majority of former staffers. However, some staffers on crucial teams, excluding those who worked in the RNC political department, declined to return.
The RNC is currently facing a situation where it lacks individuals who possess extensive expertise in election operations within the Republican party’s central committee. Moreover, these individuals were willing to work for considerably lower salaries compared to what they could earn in the private sector.
Trump’s strange and vengeful incoherence needs to be listened to in its entirety to truly grasp its absurdity.
The decision to bring the RNC under the wing of the Trump campaign was intended to create synergies. Although some of these efficiencies have been achieved, sources suggest that the potentially overly aggressive approach may have caused damage in other areas.
The RNC spokesperson did not respond to a comment request right away.
The RNC’s data team, which plays a crucial role in presidential elections, is undergoing a significant change. It is being moved from its current location in the RNC headquarters in Washington to the Trump campaign’s headquarters in Palm Beach, Florida. This relocation may result in a loss of talent within the team.
The new leadership at the RNC has come up with an innovative solution to address the housing needs of their data team staffers. They have started offering accommodation within the Trump campaign campus, affectionately known as “Trump Village”. This move aims to not only reduce residential costs but also alleviate logistical concerns, ultimately serving as an enticing incentive for the staffers to remain with the organization.
Some staffers may have had a different experience with the residential aspect of their job. There were some who declined return offers and expressed their dislike for the idea of living at work. This could also mean having to live alongside the most dedicated Trump campaign staffers.
Some former RNC staffers were not thrilled about the idea of moving to Florida, despite the fact that senior Trump campaign advisers have always emphasized the need to relocate for a presidential campaign. These staffers believed that they were working for the GOP and not specifically for the campaign.
Some RNC staffers, who declined to return to their old jobs, seem to be unnerved by the idea of loyalty tests.
RNC staffers have been aware for quite some time that the best response to the question of whether the 2020 election was stolen is to acknowledge “irregularities”. However, being consistently questioned about this matter has made them believe that the Trump campaign inherently distrusts individuals from the RNC, which has resulted in them feeling like constant targets.
Since taking over, the new leaders of the RNC have had one bright spot – Trump’s best fundraising month of 2024. This positive development comes as the former president collaborates with the committee under a joint fundraising agreement.
In March, Trump and the RNC managed to raise an impressive $65.6 million, as reported by the party last week. It is worth noting that their combined accounts now boast a substantial $93.1 million cash on hand for April. This amount is nearly double what they had just a month prior, illustrating their efforts to close the cash gap with Joe Biden’s campaign funds.
The joint fundraising agreement has been a top priority for several weeks. Through joint fundraising, Trump and the RNC have the opportunity to accept donations as large as $814,600. Previously, during the Republican primary, Trump’s campaign was limited to accepting checks with a maximum amount of $6,600.
