Lara Trump Reacts to Being Endorsed for Republican Leadership Position

Lara Trump has reacted to reports she is being considered for a position in the Republican party leadership.

On an Instagram story, Donald Trump's daughter-in-law posted a heart graphic over a reaction by another user to a Newsmax report that the former president was considering endorsing her to become the Republican National Committee (RNC) co-chair.

Donald Trump has since endorsed her for the position, currently held by Ronna McDaniel, along with North Carolina Republican Party Chair Michael Whatley.

Trump said in a statement that Lara Trump, who is married to his son, Eric Trump, is an "extremely talented communicator" and "dedicated to all that MAGA stands for."

Multiple media reports said that McDaniel, RNC chair since 2017, was considering stepping down after the South Carolina primary later this month. These reports have not been confirmed by McDaniel.

Newsweek approached the RNC for comment via email out of hours.

After reports by The New York Times, CNN and CBS indicated McDaniel, the niece of Senator Mitt Romney, is thinking about stepping back, an RNC spokesperson told Newsweek that nothing has changed regarding her future.

McDaniel was chosen by Trump to lead the party after she served as chair of the Michigan Republican Party in 2017.

But Trump indicated he was he was distancing himself from the party chair in a Fox News interview this month.

"I think [McDaniel] did great when she ran Michigan for me," Trump said. "I think she did OK, initially, in the RNC. I would say right now there'll probably be some changes made."

Of Whatley, Donald Trump said he had "done a great job in his home state of North Carolina" and is "committed to election integrity." Whatley has previously questioned the 2020 election process.

There is no evidence of voter fraud during the 2020 election or that it was stolen, despite Donald Trump's false claims.

Trump faced some backlash to the endorsement, including criticism from conservatives.

"These choices are supposed to inspire conservatives to donate money? I wasn't donating before," X user Denise Harrison wrote. "I sure in hell won't be donating to the RNC now!"

Reno Ciccotta added: "Why Michael Whatley?"

Whatley was reelected to his position as North Carolina party chair in 2023. A judge dismissed a lawsuit brought by three North Carolina delegates in September last year challenging Whatley's reelection. The delegates said the use of a mobile phone app meant invalid votes could be cast, but Democratic Judge Claire Hill dismissed the case.

In his statement, Trump said he had also asked political consultant Chris LaCivita to be the RNC's chief operating officer.

Update 2/13/24, 4:05 p.m. ET: This story was updated with additional information.