Trump hints RNC boss Ronna McDaniel should step down as org runs low on cash
Former President Donald Trump hinted Ronna McDaniel should vacate her position as Republican National Committee chair, appearing to reverse course from his earlier support after the organization reported decade-low fundraising numbers entering the presidential election year.
The GOP front-runner, 77, was asked Monday on Newsmax whether McDaniel, 50, should step down after three straight election cycles of Republican underperformance.
“I think she knows that, I think she understands that,” Trump responded. “As far as me, as far as I’m concerned … almost 100% of the Republicans I endorse win. In the midterms, out of 253 endorsements, I won 222 races.”
McDaniel has faced calls to resign from some of Trump’s fiercest supporters, including biotech entrepreneur and former 2024 GOP candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.
Trump privately backed McDaniel’s bid for a fourth two-year term last year, despite widespread grumbling over her stewardship after Republicans only narrowly recaptured the House and lost a Senate seat in the 2022 midterms.
In an interview with Fox News “Sunday Morning Futures” this past weekend, Trump indicated that “there will probably be some changes made” soon at the RNC.
“I think she did great when she ran Michigan for me [in 2016]. I think she did OK initially in the RNC,” the 45th president told host Maria Bartiromo.
According to Federal Election Commission filings, the RNC had just $8 million in cash on hand as of Dec. 31 — the lowest since it had just over $5 million cash on hand at the end of 2014.
The Trump campaign, by contrast, finished off 2023 with $42 million cash on hand.
When asked about the GOP’s cash flow problem, Trump answered, “I have a lot of money” while distancing himself from McDaniel.
“The money that they get, people are not looking at the RNC,” he said. “They want — they want changes. I — you have to understand, I have nothing to do with the RNC. I don’t — I’m separate.”
Trump then jumped on Truth Social Monday night after reportedly meeting with McDaniel at his Mar-a-Lago estate, saying she was his “friend” before again suggesting he might call for a change in RNC leadership.
“I’ll be making a decision the day after the [Feb. 24] South Carolina Primary as to my recommendations for RNC Growth,” Trump wrote.
The RNC did not respond to an inquiry from The Post about Trump’s comments and its 2023 fundraising.
Meanwhile, RNC chief of staff Mike Reed announced to colleagues Tuesday he would be leaving his position, which he’s held since February 2022.
In an email obtained by The Post, Reed announced he would depart to focus on his “growing family” that “needs and deserves my attention.”
“I know the timing of this news comes as many rumors in the press swirl and we prepare to merge with the presumptive nominee. I assure you, the RNC is in an incredibly strong position,” wrote Reed, who has been with the organization since the start of 2017.
“We always knew there would be some changes once we had a presumptive nominee, and we welcome that,” he added. “Chairman McDaniel has had great conversations with President Trump over the last few days and weeks. She will continue to lead this organization to merge seamlessly should he be the nominee.”
“In the chaotic world of DC and the RNC, Mike Reed has been a calm and steady hand as our Chief of Staff,” McDaniel said in a statement. “I will miss having Mike guide me and our staff but I am so happy and excited for his next adventure and that he will be able to spend more time with his wife Alice and their beautiful children.”
