NEW YORK (AP) — By the weekend, the Republican National Committee will settle a bitter leadership feud It exposed a dangerous branch within the agency responsible for selecting the next Republican president.
As rebels within former President Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement threaten to overthrow RNC chairman Ronna McDaniel’s bid for re-election, those inside the battle are on the posh beach. We believe the days before Friday’s secret ballot at our resort could get even uglier.
The attack is being led by McDaniel’s chief rival, Trump’s attorney Hermit Dillon, who is accused of religious bias, chronic extravagance, and private claims that she can control the former president. McDaniel denies the allegations. Also in the race is Mike Lindell, CEO of My Pillow, a pro-Trump conspiracy theorist who secured enough support to get on the ballot. .
Although Trump has not publicly endorsed him, he and his team have personally defended McDaniel. Right after winning the championship in 2016.Still, many Trump supporters blame McDaniel, niece of Utah Senator Mitt Romneyon some of the party’s recent struggles.
Dillon claimed in interviews that an overwhelming majority of Republican voters want leadership change in the RNC. He warned of political repercussions.
“It’s going to be a problem in the upcoming elections for party members who vote for their own interests, not what their own people want,” Dillon told The Associated Press.
After hearing Dhillon’s remarks, McDaniel said, “It sounds like a threat.” She blamed the increasingly ugly attacks on the schism plaguing her and her commission.
“Nobody enjoys this more than the Democrats. I know because I like them fighting each other,” McDaniel said.
RNC chairman’s vote on Friday serves as latest high-profile leadership test A deeply divided Republican party grapples with questions about its future and Trump’s influence ahead of the 2024 presidential election. Weakened by the same MAGA forces before uniting behind House Speaker Kevin McCarthy Blackmail McDaniel this week.
In both cases, Trump has struggled to control his own loyalists.
Seeking to influence the vote, a group of Florida Republicans from the party’s MAGA division moved to hold a “no confidence” vote in McDaniel last Friday. But a rally in Florida that brought together McCarthy’s detractor, Rep. Matt Gates (Florida Republican), was far from reaching the quorum needed to hold an official vote.
Still, dozens of anti-McDaniel protesters waved signs outside the event.
“The biggest thing is you need a really strong leader who’s in touch with MAGA, and Rona doesn’t have that,” said Lake County, Florida Republican chairman Anthony, who led the anti-McDaniel push. Sabatini said by phone, an interview from a shooting range with gunshots blaring. “She has lost the trust of voters.”
Trump avoided joining the RNC presidency race at McDaniel’s request, according to people with direct knowledge of the situation. He believes she will win even without his public support and can maintain a sense of neutrality heading into the 2024 presidential primary.
According to its bylaws, the RNC must remain neutral in presidential primaries.Trump is the only Republican nominee ever announced.but expect other high-profile contenders in the coming months.
Still, if McDaniel’s public endorsement is deemed necessary, Trump will eventually remove McDaniel ahead of Friday’s vote, according to people familiar with his thinking. may support.
At least three Trump aides — senior advisers Susie Wiles, Chris Lacivita and Clayton Henson — are expected to attend the three-day RNC winter meeting this week in Southern California, where the vote will be held. While they’re not specifically attending on McDaniel’s behalf, Trump’s team has made it clear in private conversations that they support McDaniel.
McDaniel’s informal whipping team includes former Trump chief adviser Kellyanne Conway, former Trump chief of staff Reince Priebus, former Arizona senator nominee Blake Masters, and Family Research Council president Tony Perkins. , and is expected to include conservative commentator Hugh Hewitt. Another prominent Trump supporter, Maryland RNC member David Bossey, has also endorsed McDaniel.
Dillon’s guest list is still in flux, but she said over the weekend that her team will likely include former Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake, MAGA influencer Charlie Kirk and country singer John Rich. .
Following three consecutive disappointing national elections, there has been widespread dissatisfaction among Republican voters and members of the RNC about the health of the party. Some are increasingly eager to move on from Trump and, by proxy, McDaniel, who is seen as a close ally of Trump.
“She’s been Trump’s dog for over four years,” said Bill Paratucci, an RNC member from New Jersey who has been a vocal critic of both Trump and McDaniel. Paratucci formally endorsed Dillon late last week, but is skeptical that she has the vote to beat McDaniel.
Dillon has unleashed a flurry of attacks against McDaniel in recent weeks that resonated throughout Trump’s MAGA movement. You may have been alienated.
She grabbed several examples of apparent misappropriation and mismanagement under McDaniel’s watch. McDaniel’s team was backed by former Trump officials like Wiles, who It claims to be inaccurate or misleading.
Recently, attacks against McDaniel have intensified.
Last week, Dhillon spread allegations that McDaniel’s allies had expressed concerns about Dhillon’s faith in at least one private conversation. Dillon, of Indian heritage, identifies as a member of the Sikh faith.
McDaniel’s allies denied the allegations outlined in a detailed email addressed to all members of the RNC with the subject line “religious prejudice.”
Dillon also said in multiple private conversations with RNC members that McDaniel would dissuade Trump from launching an independent presidential election, ultimately destroying the party’s chances in the upcoming presidential election. Highlighted a Washington Post report that McDaniel said could be dissuaded from the Republican nomination.
“She told a lot of people, only I can control Trump,” Dillon told The Associated Press, believing such statements alone could stop an asteroid from hitting Earth. I likened it to someone.
McDaniel said such claims were “absurd”.
“After working with President Trump for six years, I don’t think anyone could have said he was in control,” McDaniel said.
Meanwhile, McDaniel warned of a “great risk” if Republicans fail to stop the infighting when the 2024 election season begins. It is well positioned to sustain itself, but much of the committee’s focus will be on the presidential election.
“As we head into 2024, it is critical that we stop labeling, attacking, and demonizing other Republicans so that they cannot be put together after primary school,” she said. rice field.
For her part, Dillon said she would “of course” be united behind McDaniel if she ultimately won Friday.
“Job 1 is winning elections,” says Dhillon. “I am a team player.”
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Anthony Izaguirre, AP writer from Tallahassee, Fla., contributed to this report.
