More than 60 staffers at the Republican National Committee were laid off shortly after new leaders were elected, who were hand-picked by former President Donald Trump. The layoffs affected employees in various divisions, including communications, political, data, and election integrity. This move came after Michael Whatley and Lara Trump were elected to chair and co-chair the party, with Chris LaCivita and James Blair also joining the RNC but maintaining their positions with the Trump campaign.
Some positions were eliminated due to redundancies with the campaign, while other staff members were asked to resign and reapply. A former RNC adviser, who was among those let go, criticized the changes at the RNC, calling it a “bulls*** operation” and questioning the capabilities of the new leadership team. The adviser speculated that the layoffs might be a cost-saving measure, as LaCivita may prioritize spending on TV and mail over infrastructure, based on his past experience with the Bush campaign in 2004.
The Trump campaign and RNC are expected to increase coordination once the president secures enough delegates to secure the GOP nomination. However, both entities are currently trailing President Biden in fundraising, with the Biden campaign having significantly more cash on hand compared to the Trump campaign, RNC, and supporting political action committees. The RNC, facing a cash crunch, will play a critical role in supporting Trump’s reelection efforts, despite having limited funds available according to the latest Federal Election Commission filing.
Jason Miller, a Trump campaign senior adviser, emphasized the importance of being strategic with donor funds and ensuring that the organization is not bloated or inefficient. The goal of the RNC shakeup is to streamline operations, eliminate redundancies, and place the most talented individuals in key positions to support Trump’s reelection bid. The campaign and RNC are aiming to work as one cohesive unit, with a focus on maximizing resources and optimizing fundraising efforts to compete with the Biden campaign.
As the Trump campaign and RNC navigate the upcoming election season, they are facing financial challenges and the need to prioritize spending effectively. The recent layoffs at the RNC are part of a larger effort to reorganize and reallocate resources to support Trump’s reelection efforts. Despite facing fundraising deficits compared to the Biden campaign, the Trump team is working to streamline operations, increase coordination between the campaign and the RNC, and make strategic decisions to ensure that they have the necessary resources to compete in the upcoming election.
