Former President Donald Trump’s influence over the Republican National Committee has been solidified with the appointment of Lara Trump, his daughter-in-law, as co-chair in March. This move has led to more Republican donor dollars going into the pocket of the Trump family, with Lara Trump receiving an annual salary of $163,000 from the RNC. Since taking up the co-chair position, she has already been paid $38,000 by the committee, mostly in bi-weekly installments of $6,800. Prior to this role, Lara Trump was a television personality and producer, and had turned down calls to run for Senate in 2021.
RNC Chair Michael Whatley, who also serves as the committee’s general counsel, earns an annual salary of over $330,000, while the Democratic National Committee pays its chairperson, currently Jaime Harrison, $177,000 a year. Lara Trump’s direct payments from political committees are a new development, with the Trump 2020 campaign previously paying her an annual salary of $180,000 through then-campaign manager Brad Parscale’s private company to circumvent campaign finance reporting requirements. The Trump family has a history of converting Republican donors’ cash into personal income, with the RNC having spent at least $3 million at Trump’s businesses since 2016.
The RNC’s spending on the Trump family doesn’t end with Lara Trump, as Donald Trump Jr. has also benefited from the committee’s largesse. In 2019 and 2020, the RNC purchased $400,000 worth of Donald Trump Jr.’s books to offer to donors, but reports indicate that the committee still has leftover copies four years later. This expenditure does not appear to have been a wise investment for the RNC, raising questions about the committee’s financial decisions and its use of donor funds. Prior to Donald Trump taking control of the party, the RNC had spent minimal amounts at Trump’s businesses, further showcasing the shift in spending patterns under Trump’s leadership.
Spokespeople for the RNC have not responded to requests for comment on the payments to Lara Trump and other expenditures involving the Trump family. The arrangement raises concerns about conflicts of interest and the potential misuse of donor funds within the committee. With Lara Trump now in a prominent position at the RNC, the Trump family’s influence over the party’s financial decisions is further solidified, drawing scrutiny and criticism from ethics watchdogs and political observers. The intertwined relationship between the Trump family and the RNC highlights the blurred lines between personal and political interests, raising questions about accountability and transparency within the party. As the RNC continues to navigate its financial and political landscape, the influence of the Trump family remains a significant factor that could impact the committee’s future direction and decisions.
