Trump endorses Michael Whatley to lead RNC, with Lara Trump as co-chair

WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump on Monday endorsed Michael Whatley to be the next head of the Republican National Committee and backed his daughter-in-law Lara Trump for co-chair.

Trump had indicated that it was time for RNC chair Ronna McDaniel to step aside, but he has also said he would make recommendations about changes at the RNC after the South Carolina primary, on Feb. 24.

"I think my friend Michael Whatley should be the RNC’s next leader," Trump said in a statement, adding that he "has been with me from the beginning, has done a great job in his home state of North Carolina."

Whatley is the chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party.

Trump also said his daughter-in-law Lara Trump “has agreed to run as the RNC co-chair.” Lara Trump, who is married to Eric Trump, was a senior adviser to the Trump campaign in 2020. She often appears as an on-air surrogate for the 2024 campaign.

“Lara is an extremely talented communicator and is dedicated to all that MAGA stands for,” Trump said in his statement. “She has told me she wants to accept this challenge and would be GREAT!”

Neither Lara Trump nor Whatley immediately responded to requests for comment.

"This is not Game of Thrones, it’s about winning," a Trump adviser said in a text message to NBC News. "The President wants a RNC tooled to win and given he has effectively secured the nomination in record time, it’s prudent to ensure the party can deliver in November."

In a statement Monday night, an RNC spokesman said McDaniel "has been on the road helping elect Republicans up and down the ballot and she will continue working hard to beat Biden this fall."

"Nothing has changed, and there will be no decision or announcement about future plans until after South