Former President Donald Trump's decision to skip the upcoming third GOP presidential primary debate and instead host a competing rally nearby underscores the increasingly strained relationship between his campaign and the Republican National Committee (RNC).
The RNC was caught off guard when Trump’s campaign announced last week that it would stage a counter-event on the same night as the debate, just down the road from the Miami arena where other Republican contenders will face off.
Although Trump has consistently skipped the debates, citing his strong lead in the polls, his decision to hold a rival event in close proximity has unsettled some Republicans.
“It’s a slap in the face [to the RNC],” one GOP operative connected to the committee told usadailynews91. “An intentional slap in the face.”
Trump's allies have defended the move, pointing to his frustration with the RNC's insistence on continuing the debates despite his dominant position. Earlier this month, Trump’s top campaign advisers urged the RNC to “immediately cancel the upcoming debate in Miami and end all future debates to refocus on defeating Democrats in 2024.”
Even before the debates became a focal point, Trump's relationship with the RNC, led by his chosen chairwoman, Ronna McDaniel, had been growing increasingly turbulent in recent months.
Behind closed doors, former President Donald Trump still harbors lingering resentment toward the Republican National Committee (RNC) over the 2020 election. He continues to blame the organization for not having the right legal team in place to challenge the election results, multiple sources revealed to usadailynews91. Despite efforts from some of Trump’s allies to dispel this notion—pointing out that it wasn’t the RNC’s responsibility to provide legal resources—Trump remains steadfast in his belief. Critics within his circle have argued that his own 2020 campaign should have established a stronger legal infrastructure, but these arguments have largely gone unheard.
While Trump seems to understand the RNC's requirement to remain neutral in the 2024 GOP primary, sources say he has privately questioned why the organization has not endorsed his candidacy. The RNC’s bylaws mandate neutrality, and Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel has been careful to maintain impartiality throughout the primary season.
In response, the RNC has emphasized its commitment to a fair and transparent primary process for all Republican candidates. “The RNC will continue to oversee a fair, transparent debate process. In addition to sanctioning the primary debates, the RNC is expanding our 2024 operation with key hires in battleground states,” an RNC spokesman stated.
Trump appointed McDaniel as RNC chair following his 2016 victory, replacing many establishment Republicans with his loyalists. Sources familiar with their relationship say Trump feels he played a significant role in McDaniel's rise to leadership and has expected unwavering loyalty in return. While McDaniel was a strong supporter during Trump’s presidency, some in Trump’s orbit blame her for the GOP’s underwhelming performance in the 2022 midterms.
“There’s ongoing concern about Ronna and the RNC regarding the 2020 and 2022 elections,” one Trump confidant told usadailynews91, citing perceived missteps in the party's messaging strategy and voter mobilization efforts.
Despite these concerns, Trump’s top campaign officials maintain regular communication with RNC leadership. Trump’s senior advisers, including Susie Wiles, traveled to California earlier this year to support McDaniel’s reelection as chair, signaling Trump’s backing in her race against attorney Harmeet Dhillon.
After securing her victory, McDaniel told Fox News that this would be her “last term as chair…It’s done.”
Typically, after a major party selects its nominee, adjustments are made between the nominee’s campaign and the party’s committee. Some within Trump’s inner circle expect similar changes if he secures the GOP nomination.
One source suggested that while it’s premature to discuss RNC leadership changes, top officials, including McDaniel, should be prepared to step aside if Trump wins the nomination. Another source close to Trump clarified that there are no plans for a complete overhaul, but noted that the nominee usually makes some changes at the RNC. They added that McDaniel’s term would conclude in a year and a half, leaving room for Trump to influence the selection of the next RNC chair, much like he did with McDaniel.