Lara Trump and Michael Whatley begin mass layoffs at RNC days after taking charge, Internet dubs it ‘RINO hunting’

The Trump-backed RNC leadership laid off over 60 staff, signaling the ex-prez's increasing control over GOP
PUBLISHED MAR 12, 2024
New RNC co-chairs Lara Trump and Michael Whatley laid off dozens of staffers from the committee (Getty Images, @ChairmanWhatley/X)
New RNC co-chairs Lara Trump and Michael Whatley laid off dozens of staffers from the committee (Getty Images, @ChairmanWhatley/X)

WASHINGTON, DC: The new leadership of the Republican National Committee, backed by former President Donald Trump, is pushing out dozens of employees, as reported by Politico.

Former North Carolina GOP Chair Michael Whatley and the ex-president's daughter-in-law Lara Trump took over the leadership on March 8 from former chair Ronna McDaniels.

As per reports, more than 60 people who work in the political, communications, and data departments will be laid off. Their names have not yet been disclosed, but they include five senior staffers. The massive layoff began on Monday, March 11, just three days into the new leadership's takeover.


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Republican National Committee (@gop)


 

Trump's control over Republican party

According to a letter sent to some staff by RNC's new chief operating officer, Sean Cairncross, the new leadership was "in the process of evaluating the organization and staff to ensure the building is aligned" with its vision. "During this process, certain staff are being asked to resign and reapply for a position on the team."

FORT WAYNE, IN - NOVEMBER 05:  U.S. President Donald Trump arrives at a campaign rally for Republica
Donald Trump is gripping his control over the RNC ahead of the November election (Getty Images)

The swift move at the RNC highlights Trump's increasing control over the Republican Party as he became the presumptive nominee to face President Joe Biden in November. The Trump campaign also took over the committee's operational control on March 11.

According to The New York Times, by the end of February, the RNC had around 200 people on payroll, and 120 of them were working at the headquarters in Washington, DC.

The report also claimed that a source with direct knowledge of the massive layoffs said that the GOP's entire finance and digital means would move to Palm Beach, FL, Florida, which is the base of Trump's campaign.

NASHVILLE, TN - MAY 29: Lara Trump speaks prior to the arrival of U.S. President Donald Trump during
Donald Trump installed his daughter-in-law Lara Trump as the new RNC co-chair (Getty Images)

A copy of Cairncross' email also read, "Certain staff are being asked to resign and reapply. If you choose to not reapply, your last day of employment will be March 31."

Trump filling the RNC with his close allies comes at a time when he faces massive legal expenses. And his daughter-in-law, Lara, has indicated the possibility of the committee paying his legal fees.

In addition, recent comments by the former President and his elder son, Donald Trump Jr, about the dominance of MAGA indicates a growing influence of Trump on the Republican Party.

Trump, in a recent rally in Virginia, claimed the MAGA represented "96%, and maybe 100%" of the GOP. Trump Jr reiterated this argument in an interview on Newsmax when he said, "MAGA movement is the new Republican Party."

MANCHESTER, NH - FEBRUARY 10: A supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump wears an oversize
Donald Trump and his son, Donald Trump Jr, have claimed a complete MAGA takeover of the Republican Party (Getty Images)

Internet reacts to layoffs in RNC

Weighing in on RNC firing around 60 staffers soon after the new leadership assumed control, social media users suggested it was the Trump family taking over the party. At the same time, some claimed it was an attempt to clear the RINOs (Republicans in name only).

One user called the layoffs "RINO hunting."



 

"This is a complete takeover of a national party by a family desiring to be royalty. The Republican Party is dead, all that remains is the House of Trump. Hope everyone who supports him understands this because history will not look kindly on them," another user wrote.



 

A third user added, "She fired them so no body can report what’s really going on! Cleaning the house to replace it with loyalists! Crooked is as crooked does!"



 

"Nepotism," a user simply stated.

While another response read, "Got to pay for trump’s bonds."



 



 

Some one else remarked, "They need to cut expenses because they need that money to pay for Trump's defense fund. This is the beginning of the end of the Republican party. This will finally push actual Republicans away from Trump and hand an easy victory to Biden! Thank you!!!"



 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

MORE STORIES

Trump posted a scathing montage, accusing Democrats of shutting down the government to please their 'radical left' base
9 hours ago
John Kennedy is calling out Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer over the tough spot he’s in amid government shutdown
10 hours ago
Top officials in the Trump administration discussed invoking the Insurrection Act, which allows the president to deploy military forces on US soil
15 hours ago
Gavin Newsom rejected the bipartisan bill, calling it too costly and warning it could disrupt how California determines firefighter pay
1 day ago
The vote comes as California’s education agencies face a US Department of Justice lawsuit over alleged Title IX violations in girls’ sports
1 day ago
Donald Trump took aim at Sen Richard Blumenthal after his tense face-off with Attorney General Pam Bondi during a congressional hearing
1 day ago
Dick Durbin pressed Pam Bondi to justify sending troops to Illinois, accusing the Justice Department of hiding key information from the public
1 day ago
The comedian dubbed Chuck Schumer 'Hack-ie Mason', and then went on a rant against Democratic leadership in general
2 days ago
Trump promised America’s men and women in uniform that their pay is safe despite the government shutdown
3 days ago
The stipend is part of measures taken by the Trump administration to reduce illegal immigrants in US
5 days ago