Former President Donald Trump’s decision to skip the upcoming GOP presidential primary debate and hold a rally instead has brought attention to the complex relationship between the Republican National Committee (RNC) and the favorite candidate’s team. The Committee was surprised by the Trump campaign’s announcement that it would hold an event on the same night as the debate, near the Miami stadium where other Republican candidates will face off. This move has upset some Republicans, with one source calling it “a slap in the face [to the Committee].”
Allies close to Trump have tried to justify his decision, pointing to his frustration with the continued debates despite his lead in the polls. They have called on the RNC to cancel the upcoming debate and focus its resources on defeating the Democrats in 2024. However, Trump’s relationship with the RNC has been tense for months. He still holds resentment towards the organization over the 2020 election and blames them for not providing the right lawyers to challenge the election results, according to multiple sources.
Despite understanding the RNC’s requirement for neutrality, Trump has questioned why he should remain neutral in the presidential primary race. The RNC has stated that it will continue to enforce a fair and transparent debate process and is focused on organizing the primaries in a manner that is fair to all candidates.
There is growing concern about RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel’s ability to lead the party in the future, with some blaming her for the Republicans’ disappointing results in the 2022 congressional elections. However, senior Trump campaign officials are in regular contact with RNC leadership, and the Trump team has shown support for McDaniel in the past.
As tensions have risen, Trump has publicly suggested that he might not participate in the debates. He has criticized the RNC for not seeking his approval before announcing them, although candidates do not have singular control over the format or timing of these events. The Trump campaign was fully informed about the debates, according to a GOP adviser familiar with the process.
The relationship between Trump and the RNC has become strained, with disagreements over whether Trump should attend the debates and the RNC’s involvement in his legal problems. The RNC had previously paid millions of dollars to law firms representing Trump in various investigations but stopped doing so after he announced his third presidential bid.
As the primary race continues, it remains to be seen how the relationship between Trump and the RNC will evolve. While some members of Trump’s inner circle would like to see changes at the RNC if he becomes the nominee, others insist that no significant changes are planned. The Trump campaign did not respond to a request for comment on the matter.