Trump Just Shook Things Up

This article originally appeared on The Epoch Times and was republished with permission.

Guest post by Caden Pearson

Former President Donald Trump on Feb. 12 endorsed North Carolina GOP Chair Michael Whatley to succeed RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel. He also announced his support for his daughter-in-law Lara Trump to take up the role of RNC co-chairwoman.

In a news release, President Trump stressed the need for the RNC to play a crucial role in ensuring fair and transparent elections across the nation and to work seamlessly with his campaign in the upcoming general election.

“The RNC MUST be a good partner in the Presidential election. It must do the work we expect from the national Party and do it flawlessly. That means helping to ensure fair and transparent elections across the country, getting out the vote everywhere—even in parts of the country where it won’t be easy—and working with my campaign, as the Republican presumptive nominee for President, to win this election and MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” President Trump said in a statement.

Following reports that Ms. McDaniel is stepping down, President Trump endorsed Michael Whatley as her replacement, citing Mr. Whatley’s loyalty and commitment to election integrity.

“Michael has been with me from the beginning, has done a great job in his home state of North Carolina, and is committed to election integrity, which we must have to keep fraud out of our election so it can’t be stolen,” the GOP presidential front-runner said.

News that Ms. McDaniel may be stepping down gained headlines this month after a New York Times report followed President Trump calling for “some changes” at the RNC during a Feb. 4 interview.

RNC spokesman Keith Schipper reiterated Ms. McDaniel’s previous remarks in a statement to The Epoch Times, saying that “nothing has changed” and no decision or announcement will come before the South Carolina GOP presidential primary.

“Chairwoman 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,” Mr. Schipper said on Tuesday.

In an RNC email previously disclosed, Ms. McDaniel did not confirm nor deny the rumors that she would be stepping down. This email was disclosed by Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk and authenticated to The Epoch Times by a person familiar with the matter.

Just before the Trump campaign made its announcement, Lara Trump and her husband, Eric, remained mum on her possible new role during a campaign stop in Palm Beach County, Florida.

Appearing before 1,000 cheering fans at Club 47 USA, Lara Trump sang part of her hit recording, a cover of Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down.” She told the crowd at the Palm Beach Airport Hilton Hotel that the song represent’s the Trump family’s pledge to the American people.

“We’re in this forever,” she said, “because we’ve got a country to save, ladies and gentlemen. We’re going to work our hardest for the next 9 and ½ months and we won’t back down. We’re gonna save the United States of America.”

Read the full story at The Epoch Times.