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'{{Short description|American insurrectionist (born 1973)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2023}} {{Infobox officeholder |name = Ronna McDaniel |image = Ronna McDaniel.jpg |caption = McDaniel in 2018 |office = Chair of the [[Republican National Committee]] |term_start = January 19, 2017 |term_end = March 8, 2024 |predecessor = [[Reince Priebus]] |successor = [[Michael Whatley]] |office1 = Chair of the [[Michigan Republican Party]] |term_start1 = February 21, 2015 |term_end1 = January 19, 2017 |predecessor1 = [[Bobby Schostak]] |successor1 = [[Ronald Weiser]] |birth_name = Ronna Romney |birth_date = {{birth date and age|1973|3|20}} |birth_place = [[Austin, Texas]], U.S. |death_date = |death_place = |party = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] |spouse = Patrick McDaniel |children = 2 |relatives = [[Ronna Romney]] (mother)<br>[[Mitt Romney]] (uncle)<br>''See [[Romney family]]'' |education = [[Brigham Young University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]]) }} '''Ronna Romney McDaniel''' (born March 20, 1973) is an American insurrectionist who served as chair of the [[Republican National Committee]] (RNC) from 2017 until her resignation in 2024. A member of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] and the [[Romney family]], she was chair of the [[Michigan Republican Party]] from 2015 to 2017. She is serving as the NBC News political commentator since March 2024. During McDaniel's tenure as chair of the RNC, the Republican Party had a net loss of eight [[List of current United States governors|governorships]], four seats in the [[United States Senate]], and 20 seats in the [[United States House of Representatives|House of Representatives]], and the [[President of the United States|presidency]]. In December 2022, [[Axios (website)|Axios]] wrote that McDaniel "has thus far failed to preside over a single positive election cycle."<ref name="Treene">{{Cite web |last=Treene |first=Alayna |date=2022-12-13 |title=The RNC's lopsided power struggle |url=https://www.axios.com/2022/12/13/ronna-mcdaniel-rnc-2024 |access-date=2023-01-07 |website=Axios |language=en |archive-date=January 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230107131040/https://www.axios.com/2022/12/13/ronna-mcdaniel-rnc-2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> A granddaughter of [[Michigan]] Governor and businessman [[George W. Romney]] and a niece of [[Massachusetts]] Governor and U.S. Senator [[Mitt Romney]] of [[Utah]], McDaniel has been known for her prolific fundraising and staunch support for former President [[Donald Trump]] as RNC chair.<ref name="Heersink" /><ref name="Peters" /> Under her leadership, the RNC ran ads for [[Donald Trump 2020 presidential campaign|Trump's 2020 campaign]] as early as 2018, put numerous Trump campaign workers and affiliates on the RNC payroll, spent considerable funds at Trump-owned properties, covered his legal fees in the [[Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections|Russian interference investigation]], hosted Trump's [[Fake News Awards]], and criticized Trump critics within the Republican Party.<ref name="Heersink" /> After [[Joe Biden]] won the [[2020 United States presidential election|2020 election]] and Trump refused to concede, McDaniel and the RNC made claims of voter fraud,<ref name="Bloomberg 2020-11-11" /> and [[Attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election|attempted to overturn Biden's victory]]. In 2022, she orchestrated a censure of [[Liz Cheney]] and [[Adam Kinzinger]], the two Republicans who served on the [[United States House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack|House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack]].<ref name="NYTimes 2022-02-04">{{Cite news|last1=Weisman|first1=Jonathan|last2=Epstein|first2=Reid J.|date=February 4, 2022|title=G.O.P. Declares Jan. 6 Attack 'Legitimate Political Discourse'|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/04/us/politics/republicans-jan-6-cheney-censure.html|access-date=February 4, 2022|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204192035/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/04/us/politics/republicans-jan-6-cheney-censure.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The censure characterized the violent pro-Trump mob as having engaged in "legitimate political discourse".<ref name="NYTimes 2022-02-04" /><ref>{{Cite news|date=February 4, 2022|title=Read the Republican Censure of Cheney and Kinzinger|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/02/04/us/rnc-resolution-censure-cheney-kinziger.html|access-date=February 5, 2022|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204233735/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/02/04/us/rnc-resolution-censure-cheney-kinziger.html|url-status=live}}</ref> During its fourth public hearing, the House January 6 Committee presented a video excerpt of a deposition from McDaniel where she revealed that, at the request of Trump and [[John Eastman]],{{efn|As of August 2023, disbarment proceedings are underway in California against John Eastman. These proceedings have been initiated on the basis of claims that Eastman's conduct showcases "moral turpitude, dishonesty, and corruption". It is also alleged that his actions represent "an egregious and unprecedented attack on our democracy", as stated by George Cardona, the State Bar's chief trial counsel. According to Cardona, Eastman has "violated his duty in an attempt to overturn election results for the highest office in the land".<ref>{{cite news |last=Concepcion |first=Summer |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/ex-trump-lawyer-john-eastman-seeks-postpone-disbarment-proceedings-rcna98728 |title=Ex-Trump lawyer John Eastman seeks to postpone his disbarment proceedings: The request comes after a Trump indictment that referred to six co-conspirators who assisted him in his efforts to overturn the 2020 election, including Eastman. |work=[[NBC News]] |date=August 8, 2023 |access-date=August 8, 2023 |archive-date=August 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230808180143/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/ex-trump-lawyer-john-eastman-seeks-postpone-disbarment-proceedings-rcna98728}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Concepcion |first=Summer |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/john-eastman-faces-disbarment-proceedings-california-effort-reverse-20-rcna90127 |title=John Eastman faces disbarment proceedings in California over effort to reverse 2020 election: Eastman, Donald Trump's former lawyer, faces disciplinary charges alleging engagement in a plot to push a far-fetched legal strategy arguing that then-Vice President Mike Pence could overturn Joe Biden's electoral victory. |work=[[NBC News]] |date=June 20, 2023 |access-date=August 8, 2023 |archive-date=August 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230808180544/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/john-eastman-faces-disbarment-proceedings-california-effort-reverse-20-rcna90127}}</ref>}} she had the RNC help organize fake electors for the [[Trump fake electors plot]].<ref name="Breuninger_6/22/2022">{{Cite web |last=Breuninger |first=Kevin |date=June 22, 2022 |title=Trump had a direct role in plan to install fake electors. Key takeaways from the fourth Jan. 6 hearing |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/22/jan-6-probe-takeaways-trump-had-a-direct-role-in-plan-to-install-fake-electors.html |access-date=July 29, 2022 |website=[[CNBC]] |archive-date=June 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220622151510/https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/22/jan-6-probe-takeaways-trump-had-a-direct-role-in-plan-to-install-fake-electors.html |url-status=live}}</ref> On February 26, 2024, she announced her resignation as chair on advice from [[Donald Trump]] following the latter's victory in the [[2024 South Carolina Republican presidential primary]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/politics/elections/ronna-mcdaniel-shows-why-nearly-every-alliance-with-trump-eventually-frays-7d3bc55a?mod=hp_lead_pos9|title=Ronna McDaniel Shows Why Nearly Every Alliance With Trump Eventually Frays|date=March 7, 2024|website=The Wall Street Journal|first1=Kristina|last1=Peterson|access-date=March 8, 2024|archive-date=March 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308034024/https://www.wsj.com/politics/elections/ronna-mcdaniel-shows-why-nearly-every-alliance-with-trump-eventually-frays-7d3bc55a?mod=hp_lead_pos9|url-status=live}}</ref> Her term as chair of the RNC ended on March 8.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Allen |date=February 26, 2024 |title=RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel announces her resignation |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/rnc-chair-ronna-mcdaniel-resignation-rcna137347 |access-date=February 26, 2024 |website=[[NBC News]] |archive-date=February 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226102244/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/rnc-chair-ronna-mcdaniel-resignation-rcna137347 |url-status=live}}</ref> ==Early life and education== McDaniel was born Ronna Romney on March 20, 1973,<ref>{{cite tweet |user=GOP |number=976115057292693504 |date=March 20, 2018 |title=Happy Birthday @GOPChairwoman! |access-date=March 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190615053629/https://twitter.com/GOP/status/976115057292693504 |archive-date=June 15, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=June 2022}} in [[Austin, Texas]].{{citation needed|date=June 2022}} The third of five children born to [[Ronna Romney|Ronna Stern Romney]] and Scott Romney, the older brother of [[Mitt Romney]], McDaniel is a granddaughter of three-term Michigan Governor [[George W. Romney]]. Her mother ran for the [[U.S. Senate]] in 1996 against [[Carl Levin]], served on the Republican National Committee, and was a delegate to the [[1988 Republican National Convention]]. Romney's grandmother, [[Lenore Romney]], ran for the U.S. Senate in 1970.<ref name="latest" /> McDaniel has said her career in politics was inspired by her family.<ref name="CNN2">{{cite news |last1=Bush |first1=Dana |title=Romney McDaniel: One woman's rise to the top of Republican politics |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2017/06/22/politics/ronna-romney-mcdaniel-badass-women-of-washington/index.html |access-date=July 26, 2018 |work=CNN |date=August 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726170010/https://edition.cnn.com/2017/06/22/politics/ronna-romney-mcdaniel-badass-women-of-washington/index.html |archive-date=July 26, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> She attended [[Lahser High School]] in [[Bloomfield Township, Oakland County, Michigan]],<ref name="latest">{{cite news |first=Carol |last=Cain |url=http://www.freep.com/story/money/business/columnists/carol-cain/2015/08/23/latest-romney-politics-candidate/32049247/ |title=Latest Romney in politics is not a candidate |work=[[Detroit Free Press]] |date=August 23, 2015 |access-date=November 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115151948/http://www.freep.com/story/money/business/columnists/carol-cain/2015/08/23/latest-romney-politics-candidate/32049247/ |archive-date=November 15, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> and earned an [[undergraduate degree]] in English from [[Brigham Young University]].<ref name="patch">{{cite news|last=Kelsey|first=Nancy|date=March 7, 2012|title=Q&A With Northville Resident Ronna Romney McDaniel: Mitt Romney's niece, Ronna Romney McDaniel, spearheaded his campaign in Michigan|work=[[Patch Media|Northville Patch]]|url=http://patch.com/michigan/northville/q-a-with-northville-resident-mitt-romney-s-niece|url-status=live|access-date=November 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115071537/http://patch.com/michigan/northville/q-a-with-northville-resident-mitt-romney-s-niece|archive-date=November 15, 2016}}</ref><ref name="DN">{{cite news |last1=Burke |first1=Melissa Nann |title=Trump puts GOP chief's winning streak on line |work=[[The Detroit News]] |date=February 6, 2018 |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2018/02/06/ronna-mcdaniel-first-anniversary/110171638/ |access-date=July 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212001108/http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2018/02/06/ronna-mcdaniel-first-anniversary/110171638/ |archive-date=February 12, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> ==Career== McDaniel worked for SRCP Media as a production manager. She also worked for the production company [[Mills James]] as a [[business manager]] and as a manager at the staffing firm Ajilon.<ref name="DFP" /> McDaniel worked in Michigan for her uncle Mitt's [[Mitt Romney presidential campaign, 2012|2012 campaign]] for [[President of the United States]]. She was elected Michigan's representative to the [[Republican National Committee]] (RNC) in 2014.<ref name="DFP" /> In 2015, McDaniel ran to be chair of the [[Michigan Republican Party]], receiving support from both the party establishment and [[Tea Party movement|Tea Party]] activists. At the party's convention in February 2015, she defeated Norm Hughes and Kim Shmina, receiving 55% of the vote in the first ballot. She succeeded [[Bobby Schostak]] as chair and stepped down from her position at the RNC.<ref name="niece" /><ref name="DFP">{{cite news|last=Egan|first=Paul|url=http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2015/02/21/michigan-republican-party-convention-chair/23790577/|title=Ronna Romney McDaniel elected Michigan's GOP chair|work=Detroit Free Press|date=February 21, 2015|access-date=November 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115150441/http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2015/02/21/michigan-republican-party-convention-chair/23790577/|archive-date=November 15, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> During the [[2016 United States presidential election|2016 U.S. presidential election]], McDaniel served as a delegate to the [[2016 Republican National Convention]] for [[Donald Trump]].<ref name="niece">{{cite news|first1=Todd|last1=Spangler|first2=Kathleen|last2=Gray|url=http://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2016/07/20/romney-mcdaniel-navigates-being-mitts-niece-trumps-delegate/87293094/|title=Romney McDaniel navigates being Mitt's niece, Trump's delegate|work=Detroit Free Press|date=July 20, 2016|access-date=November 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115150443/http://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2016/07/20/romney-mcdaniel-navigates-being-mitts-niece-trumps-delegate/87293094/|archive-date=November 15, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the 2016 presidential election, McDaniel became a candidate to chair the [[Republican National Committee]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2016/11/14/trump/93787264/|title=Trump considering Ronna Romney McDaniel for post|work=[[The Detroit News]]|date=November 14, 2016|access-date=November 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114225203/http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2016/11/14/trump/93787264/|archive-date=November 14, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> McDaniel was an early supporter of Donald Trump. McDaniel had activist Wendy Day removed from her party position as grassroots vice-chair due to her refusal to support Trump.<ref name="Guard1" /> == RNC chair == Since McDaniel's 2017 election as chair of the RNC, the Republican Party has had a net loss of seven [[List of current United States governors|governorships]], three seats in the [[United States Senate]], and 19 seats in the [[United States House of Representatives|House of Representatives]], and the [[President of the United States|presidency]]. In December 2022, [[Axios (website)|Axios]] wrote that McDaniel "has thus far failed to preside over a single positive election cycle."<ref name="Treene" /> On February 6, 2024, ''[[The New York Times]]'' reported that McDaniel intends to resign after the [[2024 South Carolina Republican presidential primary|South Carolina Republican presidential primary]], following dissatisfaction from Trump, who has publicly supported [[North Carolina Republican Party]] chair [[Michael Whatley]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/06/us/politics/ronna-mcdaniel-rnc-trump.html |title=Ronna McDaniel, R.N.C. Chairwoman, Plans to Step Down |date=February 6, 2024 |last1=Haberman |first1=Maggie |last2=Goldmacher |first2=Shane |last3=Swan |first3=Jonathan |last4=Karni |first4=Annie |author-link1=Maggie Haberman |author-link2=Jonathan Swan |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=February 6, 2024 |archive-date=February 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240207004830/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/06/us/politics/ronna-mcdaniel-rnc-trump.html |url-status=live}}</ref> [[South Carolina Republican Party]] chair and Republican National Committee Co-Chair [[Drew McKissick]] had also been mentioned as a replacement in several news outlets.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jeff Zeleny, Kaitlan Collins |first=and Daniel Strauss |date=February 6, 2024 |title=RNC Chair McDaniel has offered to step down following South Carolina primary |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/06/politics/ronna-mcdaniel-donald-trump-rnc/index.html |access-date=February 6, 2024 |work=CNN |archive-date=February 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240207024719/https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/06/politics/ronna-mcdaniel-donald-trump-rnc/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=MERIDITH MCGRAW |first=and ALEX ISENSTADT |date=February 6, 2024 |title=Ronna McDaniel set to leave RNC in the spring |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2024/02/06/ronna-mcdaniel-set-to-leave-rnc-00140047 |access-date=February 6, 2024 |work=Politico |archive-date=February 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240207034257/https://www.politico.com/news/2024/02/06/ronna-mcdaniel-set-to-leave-rnc-00140047 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Maggie Haberman, Shane Goldmacher, Jonathan Swan |first=and Annie Karni |date=February 6, 2024 |title=Ronna McDaniel, R.N.C. Chairwoman, Plans to Step Down |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/06/us/politics/ronna-mcdaniel-rnc-trump.html |access-date=February 6, 2024 |work=The New York Times |archive-date=February 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240207004830/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/06/us/politics/ronna-mcdaniel-rnc-trump.html |url-status=live}}</ref> ===Election as chair=== [[File:Ronna Romney McDaniel (42882313462).jpg|thumb|Ronna McDaniel at the 2018 Young Women's Leadership Summit]] On November 13, 2016, [[Reince Priebus]], [[Republican National Committee#Chairmen and Chairwomen of the Republican National Committee|chairman of the RNC]], was announced as the new [[White House Chief of Staff]], thereby turning the RNC chairman election into an [[2017 Republican National Committee chairmanship election|open seat election]]. Soon afterward, several candidates were reported as likely to seek the position, including McDaniel.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Goldmacher|first1=Shane|last2=Cheney|first2=Kyle |work=[[Politico]] |date=November 14, 2016 |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2016/11/republican-national-committee-priebus-231379|title=Short list emerges for RNC chair|access-date=January 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170105193534/http://www.politico.com/story/2016/11/republican-national-committee-priebus-231379|archive-date=January 5, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> On December 14, 2016, McDaniel was chosen by then [[President-elect of the United States|president-elect]] Trump as his recommendation to replace Priebus.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Spangler|first1=Todd |work=Detroit Free Press |date=December 14, 2016 |url=http://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2016/12/14/donald-trump-ronna-romney-mcdaniel/95441190|title=Trump names Michigan's Ronna Romney McDaniel RNC chair|access-date=January 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222064916/http://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2016/12/14/donald-trump-ronna-romney-mcdaniel/95441190/|archive-date=December 22, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Heersink">{{Cite journal|last=Heersink|first=Boris|date=July 25, 2018|title=Trump and the Party-in-Organization: Presidential Control of National Party Organizations|journal=[[The Journal of Politics]]|volume=80|issue=4|language=en|pages=1474–1482|doi=10.1086/699336|s2cid=158762949|issn=0022-3816}}</ref> She served as deputy chair before her formal election.<ref name="Guard1">{{cite news |last1=Gambino |first1=Lauren |last2=Jacobs |first2=Ben |title=Next RNC chair to be Ronna Romney McDaniel, Mitt Romney's niece |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=December 14, 2016 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/dec/14/republican-national-committee-ronna-romney-mcdaniel |access-date=July 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726171520/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/dec/14/republican-national-committee-ronna-romney-mcdaniel |archive-date=July 26, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> She was officially elected as RNC chair on January 19, 2017, by unanimous vote, becoming the second woman (after [[Mary Louise Smith (Republican Party leader)|Mary Louise Smith]]) in RNC history to hold the post.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Nelson|first1=Louis |work=[[Politico]]|date=January 19, 2017 |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2017/01/ronna-romney-mcdaniel-rnc-chair-233848|title=Ronna Romney McDaniel tapped to be new RNC chair|access-date=January 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170119230825/http://www.politico.com/story/2017/01/ronna-romney-mcdaniel-rnc-chair-233848|archive-date=January 19, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> According to ''[[The Washington Post]]'', Trump requested that she stop using her maiden name, and McDaniel subsequently did not use it in official communications.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Scherer|first1=Michael|last2=Dawsey|first2=Josh|title=Trump calls Romney 'a great man,' but works to undermine him and block Senate run |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=December 8, 2017 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/politics/trump-calls-romney-a-great-man-but-works-to-undermine-him-and-block-senate-run/2017/12/08/4b9887f2-db82-11e7-a841-2066faf731ef_story.html|access-date=December 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171209011336/https://www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/politics/trump-calls-romney-a-great-man-but-works-to-undermine-him-and-block-senate-run/2017/12/08/4b9887f2-db82-11e7-a841-2066faf731ef_story.html|archive-date=December 9, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> McDaniel denies that Trump pressured her to change the name.<ref name="DN" /> McDaniel was re-elected as RNC chair in unanimous elections in both 2019 and 2021, with the endorsement of Trump in both elections.<ref>{{cite web | last=Burke | first=Melissa | title=Ronna McDaniel elected to second term as RNC chair | url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2019/01/25/ronna-mcdaniel-reelected-republican-national-committee/2679352002/ | date=January 25, 2019 | website=detroitnews.com | access-date=January 28, 2023 | archive-date=November 18, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221118173723/https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2019/01/25/ronna-mcdaniel-reelected-republican-national-committee/2679352002/ | url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Greenwood | first=Max | title=Ronna McDaniel reelected as RNC chair | url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/533337-ronna-mcdaniel-reelected-as-rnc-chair/ | date=January 8, 2021 | website=[[Politico]] | access-date=January 28, 2023 | archive-date=January 28, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128073314/https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/533337-ronna-mcdaniel-reelected-as-rnc-chair/ | url-status=live}}</ref> On January 27, 2023, McDaniel was [[2023 Republican National Committee chairmanship election|re-elected]] to stand as the Chair for the RNC going into the [[2024 United States presidential election|2024 U.S. presidential election]], fending off challenges from [[Harmeet Dhillon]] and [[Mike Lindell]] and winning a fourth term. After her victory, McDaniel stated that she would not seek a fifth term as RNC Chair<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/mike-lindell-swore-hed-win-rnc-chair-he-got-destroyed|title=Mike Lindell Swore He'd Win the RNC Chair Race. He Got Smothered.|first1=Jake|last1=Lahut|first2=Zachary|last2=Petrizzo|publisher=Daily Beast|date=2023-01-27|access-date=2023-01-27|archive-date=January 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127214239/https://www.thedailybeast.com/mike-lindell-swore-hed-win-rnc-chair-he-got-destroyed|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/27/us/politics/rnc-ronna-mcdaniel-harmeet-dhillon.html|title=Republicans Re-elect Head of the R.N.C. After a Heated Challenge|first1=Lisa|last1=Lerner|first2=Jonathan|last2=Weisman|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=2023-01-27|access-date=2023-01-27|archive-date=January 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127205731/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/27/us/politics/rnc-ronna-mcdaniel-harmeet-dhillon.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-23 |title=Trump's MAGA forces threaten to upend vote for RNC chair |url=https://apnews.com/article/politics-republican-national-convention-arizona-2022-midterm-elections-donald-trump-e20246a295992ec41ddd0cfb7a505a47 |access-date=2023-01-23 |website=AP NEWS |language=en |archive-date=January 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230123123133/https://apnews.com/article/politics-republican-national-convention-arizona-2022-midterm-elections-donald-trump-e20246a295992ec41ddd0cfb7a505a47 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Steinhauser | first=Paul | title=RNC's Ronna McDaniel declares 'this is my last term as chair | url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/rncs-ronna-mcdaniel-declares-last-term-chair | date=January 27, 2023 | website=[[Fox News]] | access-date=January 28, 2023 | archive-date=January 28, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128073329/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/rncs-ronna-mcdaniel-declares-last-term-chair | url-status=live}}</ref> and further announced she would resign on advice from [[Donald Trump]] after he won the [[2024 South Carolina Republican presidential primary]].<ref name=":0" /> She was the longest-serving RNC chair since the [[American Civil War|Civil War]].<ref name="npr">{{Cite web |date=2023-01-27 |title=GOP Chair Ronna McDaniel wins party leadership vote |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/01/27/1152182495/gop-chair-ronna-mcdaniel-elected-republican |access-date=2023-01-28 |publisher=[[NPR]] |language=en-US |archive-date=January 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128083633/https://www.npr.org/2023/01/27/1152182495/gop-chair-ronna-mcdaniel-elected-republican |url-status=live}}</ref> Her term ended on March 8, 2024.<ref name=":1" /> ===Fundraising efforts=== In 2018, McDaniel spent up to six hours daily calling donors. Under McDaniel's leadership, the RNC had what ''The Washington Post'' described as "a huge financial edge heading into the 2018 midterm elections".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/republican-national-committee-has-huge-financial-edge-heading-into-2018-midterms/2018/02/01/c7704056-06af-11e8-94e8-e8b8600ade23_story.html|title=Republican National Committee has huge financial edge heading into 2018 midterms|last1=Lee|first1=Michelle Ye Hee |last2=Narayanswamy|first2=Anu|language=en-US |date=February 1, 2018|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=May 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522113201/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/republican-national-committee-has-huge-financial-edge-heading-into-2018-midterms/2018/02/01/c7704056-06af-11e8-94e8-e8b8600ade23_story.html|archive-date=May 22, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> As of January 2018, the RNC had almost $40&nbsp;million banked while the Democratic National Committee had $6.3&nbsp;million.<ref name="Peters" /> As of July 17, the Republican National Committee had raised about $213&nbsp;million for the election cycle with $50.7&nbsp;million in cash on hand and no debt. In comparison, the Democratic National Committee raised $101&nbsp;million during the same period.<ref name="Merica">{{cite news |last1=Merica |first1=Dan |title=Republican National Committee tops $200 million in fundraising ahead of midterms |work=CNN |date=July 17, 2018 |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/07/17/politics/rnc-fundraising-numbers-200-million/index.html |access-date=July 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725190925/https://edition.cnn.com/2018/07/17/politics/rnc-fundraising-numbers-200-million/index.html |archive-date=July 25, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> After many white suburban female voters switched to vote for Democrats in the 2018 midterm elections, McDaniel said that the party would engage in a "deep data dive" to learn why.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.politico.com/story/2018/12/11/gop-deep-data-dive-2018-losses-1057605 | title=GOP chair: Party will take 'deep data dive' into 2018 losses | website=[[Politico]] | date=December 11, 2018 | access-date=May 25, 2022 | archive-date=May 25, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525215821/https://www.politico.com/story/2018/12/11/gop-deep-data-dive-2018-losses-1057605 | url-status=live}}</ref> === LGBT rights === In 2021, McDaniel issued a statement supporting and celebrating [[Pride Month|LGBT Pride Month]], but she did not issue a similar statement in 2022 and 2023 following backlash from [[Social conservatism in the United States|social conservatives]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Arnsdorf |first=Isaac |last2=Dawsey |first2=Josh |last3=Knowles |first3=Hannah |date=2023-07-02 |title=Republican opposition to LGBTQ rights erupts in backlash to Pride Month |language=en-US |work=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/06/30/republicans-pride-month-lgbtq/ |access-date=2023-07-04 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=July 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230728173937/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/06/30/republicans-pride-month-lgbtq/ |url-status=live}}</ref> McDaniel had also announced the creation of the RNC Pride Coalition in coordination with the [[Log Cabin Republicans]], a group of [[LGBT|LGBTQ]] Republicans.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Singman |first=Brooke |date=2021-11-08 |title=RNC announces 'Pride Coalition,' partnership with Log Cabin Republicans ahead of midterms |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/rnc-announces-pride-coalition-partnership-with-log-cabin-republicans-ahead-of-midterms |access-date=2023-07-04 |work=Fox News |language=en-US |archive-date=November 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115120520/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/rnc-announces-pride-coalition-partnership-with-log-cabin-republicans-ahead-of-midterms |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=McGraw |first=Meridith |date=2021-08-16 |title=The GOP waves white flag in the same-sex marriage wars |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/08/16/republicans-gay-marriage-wars-505041 |access-date=2023-07-04 |work=[[Politico]] |language=en |archive-date=November 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231127215949/https://www.politico.com/news/2021/08/16/republicans-gay-marriage-wars-505041 |url-status=live}}</ref> Following the backlash, she apologized for not communicating the initiative prior to the announcement and clarified that the Pride Coalition does not change the GOP's platform on same-sex marriage.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Riley |first=John |date=2021-11-17 |title=Republican Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel apologizes for poor communication regarding gay outreach initiative |url=https://www.metroweekly.com/2021/11/republican-chairwoman-ronna-mcdaniel-apologizes-for-poor-communication-regarding-gay-outreach-initiative/ |access-date=2023-07-04 |work=[[Metro Weekly]] |language=en-US |archive-date=November 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118215808/https://www.metroweekly.com/2021/11/republican-chairwoman-ronna-mcdaniel-apologizes-for-poor-communication-regarding-gay-outreach-initiative/ |url-status=live}}</ref> McDaniel also said that the initiative was not advocating for any policy issue or change to the platform.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Trudy |last=Ring |date=2021-11-19 |title=Republican Leader Backtracks on LGBTQ+ Outreach After Backlash |url=https://news.yahoo.com/republican-leader-backtracks-lgbtq-outreach-012700795.html |access-date=2023-07-04 |work=[[Yahoo! News]] |language=en-US |archive-date=July 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704231826/https://news.yahoo.com/republican-leader-backtracks-lgbtq-outreach-012700795.html |url-status=live}}</ref> She faced calls to resign from some state-level Republican leadership.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Svitek |first=Patrick |date=2022-12-12 |title=After disappointing midterms, Texas GOP votes unanimously for a new national leader |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2022/12/12/texas-gop-ronna-mcdaniel-2022-elections/ |access-date=2023-07-04 |website=[[The Texas Tribune]] |language=en |archive-date=July 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704231827/https://www.texastribune.org/2022/12/12/texas-gop-ronna-mcdaniel-2022-elections/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The RNC dismissed the calls for her to resign.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Manchester |first=Julia |date=2021-11-24 |title=RNC pushes back against call for chair's resignation over LGBT outreach |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/582949-rnc-pushes-back-against-call-for-chairs-resignation-over-lgbt-outreach/ |access-date=2023-07-04 |work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |language=en-US |archive-date=July 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704231825/https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/582949-rnc-pushes-back-against-call-for-chairs-resignation-over-lgbt-outreach/ |url-status=live}}</ref> ===Support for Trump=== ''[[The New York Times]]'' described McDaniel as "unfailingly loyal to Trump".<ref name="Peters">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/13/us/politics/ronna-romney-mcdaniel.html|title=A Romney Who Is Unfailingly Loyal to Trump|last=Peters|first=Jeremy W.|date=January 13, 2018|work=[[The New York Times]] |language=en-US |access-date=March 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180401013120/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/13/us/politics/ronna-romney-mcdaniel.html|archive-date=April 1, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> According to a 2018 study in ''[[The Journal of Politics]],'' under her leadership the RNC has sought to consistently promote Trump and his policies.<ref name="Heersink" /> This includes running ads for Trump's 2020 campaign as early as in 2018, putting a considerable number of Trump campaign workers and affiliates on the RNC payroll, spending considerable funds at Trump-owned properties, covering Trump's legal fees in the [[Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections|Russian interference investigation]], hosting Trump's "[[Fake News Awards]]", and harshly criticizing Trump critics within the Republican Party.<ref name="Heersink" /> The day after Republican congressman [[Mark Sanford]], known for his criticism of Trump, lost his primary against a pro-Trump candidate, McDaniel tweeted that those who do not embrace Trump's agenda "will be making a mistake".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/392198-gop-chairwoman-anyone-who-doesnt-support-trump-will-be-making-a-mistake|title=GOP chairwoman: Anyone who doesn't support Trump 'will be making a mistake'|last=Samuels|first=Brett|date=June 13, 2018|work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |language=en |access-date=June 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614171447/http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/392198-gop-chairwoman-anyone-who-doesnt-support-trump-will-be-making-a-mistake|archive-date=June 14, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/ronna-mcdaniel-trump-embrace-tweet_us_5b220656e4b09d7a3d7a33fa|title=RNC Chairwoman Ronna Romney McDaniel Called Out Over Trump Loyalty Demand|last=Mazza|first=Ed|date=June 14, 2018|work=The Huffington Post |language=en-US |access-date=June 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614162946/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/ronna-mcdaniel-trump-embrace-tweet_us_5b220656e4b09d7a3d7a33fa|archive-date=June 14, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2018, McDaniel praised Trump as a "moral leader".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/04/16/politics/ronna-mcdaniel-comey-moral-trump-cnntv/index.html|title=RNC chairwoman points to Syria strike as proof of Trump's moral leadership|first1=Lauren|last1=Garry|first2=Lindsey|last2=Ellefson|work=CNN |date=April 16, 2018 |access-date=June 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614171401/https://edition.cnn.com/2018/04/16/politics/ronna-mcdaniel-comey-moral-trump-cnntv/index.html|archive-date=June 14, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Politico]]'' reported that after Trump endorsed Republican Senate candidate [[Roy Moore]] just days before the special Alabama Senate election, the White House influenced McDaniel to resume RNC funding for Moore, who lost in a narrow election to Democrat [[Doug Jones (politician)|Doug Jones]] in December 2017. According to two people close to McDaniel, she privately complained about spending time and money on Moore's behalf. McDaniel was reportedly shocked by Trump's decision to endorse Moore but felt that she had little choice but to follow the president's wishes.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/11/roy-moore-trump-republicans-288769|title=How Trump came around to an accused child molester|last1=Johnson|first1=Eliana |last2=Isenstadt|first2=Alex |date=December 11, 2017|work=Politico|access-date=December 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213053821/https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/11/roy-moore-trump-republicans-288769|archive-date=December 13, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2019, Mitt Romney penned an editorial for ''The Washington Post'' criticizing President Trump's moral character. McDaniel said the editorial by her uncle, "an incoming Republican freshman senator", "feeds into what the Democrats and mainstream media want" and was "disappointing and unproductive".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/423477-rnc-chair-slams-her-uncle-mitt-romney-for-trump-criticism|last=Wise|first=Justin|title=RNC chair slams her uncle Mitt Romney for Trump criticism|date=January 2, 2019|work=The Hill|access-date=January 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190102203203/https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/423477-rnc-chair-slams-her-uncle-mitt-romney-for-trump-criticism|archive-date=January 2, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2019, McDaniel stated she would not support "the nicest, most moral person in the world" to be president if they were not "aligned with [her] politics".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mazza |first1=Ed |title='I Give Up!' Chris Cuomo Surrenders After Kellyanne Conway's Latest Bizarre Claim |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/chris-cuomo-kellyanne-conway-violence_n_5c8b1327e4b0db7da9f16761 |work=[[The Huffington Post]] |access-date=March 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190315223243/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/chris-cuomo-kellyanne-conway-violence_n_5c8b1327e4b0db7da9f16761 |archive-date=March 15, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2019, when House Representative [[Justin Amash]] became the first Republican member of Congress to call for [[First impeachment of Donald Trump|Trump's impeachment]], citing the evidence of obstruction of justice in the [[Mueller Report]], McDaniel criticized Amash, saying he was "parroting the Democrats' talking points on Russia".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-engaged-impeachable-conduct-rep-justin-amash/story?id=63127342|title=Trump has 'engaged in impeachable conduct': GOP lawmaker|work=ABC News|language=en|access-date=May 19, 2019|archive-date=November 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121202705/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-engaged-impeachable-conduct-rep-justin-amash/story?id=63127342|url-status=live}}</ref> While she did not explicitly express support for a primary challenge against Amash, she tweeted, "voters in Amash's district strongly support this president".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://politi.co/2QekAN0|title=Michigan GOP congressman says Trump's conduct impeachable|last=Andrew Desiderio|website=Politico|date=May 18, 2019 |language=en|access-date=May 19, 2019|archive-date=November 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121202636/https://www.politico.com/story/2019/05/18/justin-amash-trump-impeachable-mueller-1332780|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2020, following the release of audio recordings from February 2020 where President Trump said he was intentionally downplaying the coronavirus, McDaniel defended Trump's handling of the coronavirus. She said, "history will look back on him well as how he handled this pandemic."<ref>{{Cite news |first=Nolan D. |last=McCaskill |title=Trump team says history will vindicate him on coronavirus |date=September 13, 2020 |work=Politico |language=en |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/13/trump-coronavirus-blame-truth-woodward-413387 |access-date=September 14, 2020 |archive-date=September 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914004217/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/13/trump-coronavirus-blame-truth-woodward-413387 |url-status=live}}</ref> By November 2021, the RNC was still covering the legal fees for former president Trump related to investigations into his financial practices in New York.<ref>{{Cite news|title=RNC agrees to pay some of Trump's legal bills in N.Y. criminal investigation|language=en-US|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-rnc-legal-bills-ny-investigation-vance-james/2021/11/22/ef447f38-4bda-11ec-b73b-a00d6e559a6e_story.html|access-date=November 24, 2021|archive-date=January 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121152036/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-rnc-legal-bills-ny-investigation-vance-james/2021/11/22/ef447f38-4bda-11ec-b73b-a00d6e559a6e_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ===False claims of fraud in the 2020 election=== By May 2020, the RNC had allocated $20 million to oppose Democratic lawsuits to make voting easier during the coronavirus pandemic, in particular expanding vote-by-mail to states that had not adopted it previously.<ref name="Brown">{{Cite web|title=GOP calls it voter fraud. Dems call it voting rights. Election battles heat up before November.|url=https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/5/18/21262869/national-gop-mail-in-ballot-voting-restrictions-donald-trump-election-republican-democrat|last=Brown|first=Matthew|date=May 18, 2020|website=Deseret News|language=en|access-date=May 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200525144643/https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/5/18/21262869/national-gop-mail-in-ballot-voting-restrictions-donald-trump-election-republican-democrat|archive-date=May 25, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="restrict">{{Cite web|title=Republicans devote $20m and 50,000 people to efforts to restrict voting|url=http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/may/18/republicans-devote-20m-and-50000-people-into-efforts-to-restrict-voting|date=May 18, 2020|website=The Guardian|language=en|access-date=May 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200525104342/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/may/18/republicans-devote-20m-and-50000-people-into-efforts-to-restrict-voting|archive-date=May 25, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> McDaniel accused Democrats of trying to "destroy" and "assault" the integrity of elections.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Republicans sue California Governor Gavin Newsom, claim his vote-by-mail order is "illegal power grab"|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/republicans-sue-california-governor-gavin-newsom-claim-his-vote-by-mail-order-is-illegal-power-grab/|work=CBS News|date=May 24, 2020 |language=en-US|access-date=May 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200525085145/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/republicans-sue-california-governor-gavin-newsom-claim-his-vote-by-mail-order-is-illegal-power-grab/|archive-date=May 25, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="restrict" /> McDaniel said, "a national vote by mail system would open the door to a new set of problems, such as potential election fraud."<ref name="Brown" /> According to ''Deseret News'', "Election experts say while voting by mail can be abused, it's rare and inconsequential."<ref name="Brown" /> In general, research has found no evidence of widespread voter fraud in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Republican groups sue California over expanded mail-in voting|date=May 25, 2020 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/republican-groups-sue-california-over-expanded-mail-voting-n1214121|publisher=NBC News|language=en|access-date=May 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200525100307/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/republican-groups-sue-california-over-expanded-mail-voting-n1214121|archive-date=May 25, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> In June 2020, McDaniel shared a RNC video warning about [[Electoral fraud|voter fraud]] in the upcoming 2020 election due to expansions of [[Postal voting in the United States|vote-by-mail]] related to the coronavirus pandemic.<ref name="WaPo 2020-06-24">{{Cite news |last=Rizzo |first=Salvador |date=June 24, 2020 |title=Fact-checking the GOP's 'satirical' vote-by-mail video |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/06/24/fact-checking-gops-satirical-vote-by-mail-video/ |access-date=August 3, 2020 |archive-date=July 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728004756/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/06/24/fact-checking-gops-satirical-vote-by-mail-video/ |url-status=live}}</ref> ''The Washington Post'' fact-checker wrote that the video "tortures the facts to create a narrative of an election about to be stolen. The illegality being satirized here is a phantom. State election officials, in many cases Republicans, are expanding vote-by-mail as a public health precaution to prevent the risk of spreading the coronavirus — not to rig the outcome."<ref name="WaPo 2020-06-24" /> After Joe Biden won the 2020 election, McDaniel claimed without evidence that there was electoral fraud and voter fraud, and had the RNC promote falsehoods and conspiracy theories about the election.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Oprysko|first=Caitlin|date=November 6, 2020|title=Ronna McDaniel asks for 'time' to produce specific claims of alleged voter fraud|language=en|work=Politico|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/06/ronna-mcdaniel-alleged-voter-fraud-434724|url-status=live|access-date=November 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116035405/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/06/ronna-mcdaniel-alleged-voter-fraud-434724|archive-date=November 16, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Gray|first1=Kathleen|last2=Rutenberg|first2=Jim|last3=Corasaniti|first3=Nick|date=November 18, 2020|title=Michigan Republicans Backtrack After Refusing to Certify Election Results|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/17/us/politics/michigan-certify-election-results.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118132143/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/17/us/politics/michigan-certify-election-results.html|archive-date=November 18, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=November 10, 2020|title=US election: Justice lawyer quits after attorney general orders 'vote fraud' inquiries|language=en-GB|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2020-54882647|url-status=live|access-date=November 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118045706/https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2020-54882647|archive-date=November 18, 2020}}</ref><ref name="Politico" /> At the same time that she was making claims of fraud, President Trump endorsed her to continue to lead the RNC in the January 2021 RNC chairman election.<ref name="Bloomberg 2020-11-11">{{Cite news|last=Beckwith|first=Ryan Teague|date=November 11, 2020|title=Trump Wants McDaniel to Return as GOP Leader: Election Update|language=en|publisher=Bloomberg|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-11-11/recounts-unlikely-to-help-trump-overturn-loss-election-update|url-status=live|access-date=November 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116033017/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-11-11/recounts-unlikely-to-help-trump-overturn-loss-election-update|archive-date=November 16, 2020}}</ref><ref>Martin, Jonathan; [[Maggie Haberman|Haberman, Maggie]] (November 22, 2020). "How Trump Hopes to Use Party Machinery to Retain Control of the G.O.P." ''The New York Times''. Retrieved November 22, 2020.</ref><ref name="Politico">{{cite news|title=The Inside Story of Michigan's Fake Voter Fraud Scandal|website=Politico|url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/11/24/michigan-election-trump-voter-fraud-democracy-440475|access-date=November 25, 2020|archive-date=November 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125020520/https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/11/24/michigan-election-trump-voter-fraud-democracy-440475|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2022, McDaniel led efforts within the RNC to censure Republican members of Congress [[Liz Cheney]] and [[Adam Kinzinger]] who had voted to impeach Trump over his incitement of a pro-Trump mob in the [[January 6 United States Capitol attack|U.S. Capitol attack]] and served on a bipartisan committee to investigate the attack.<ref name="WaPo 2022-02-03">{{Cite news|date=February 3, 2022|title=Republicans rebuke Liz Cheney in unprecedented moves|language=en-US|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/02/03/rnc-cheney-trump/|access-date=February 4, 2022|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204024001/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/02/03/rnc-cheney-trump/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NYTimes 2022-02-04" /> Within the Republican Party, Cheney had a consistently conservative record, aside from her criticisms of Trump.<ref name="WaPo 2022-02-03" /> The censure that McDaniel orchestrated characterized the U.S. Capitol attack as "legitimate political discourse".<ref name="NYTimes 2022-02-04" /> ===Campaign donations controversies=== In October 2017 after [[Harvey Weinstein]], a major donor to the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]], was accused of sexual abuse, McDaniel said that "returning Weinstein's dirty money should be a no-brainer"; the Democratic Party did give away some of Weinstein's contributions. In January 2018, [[Steve Wynn]] resigned as RNC finance chairman after he was accused of sexual misconduct and McDaniel came under pressure to return his donations. McDaniel said that Wynn should be allowed "due process" and that his donations would only be returned after the allegations were investigated by the [[Wynn Resorts]] board of directors.<ref>{{cite news|title=RNC chair says group will return Steve Wynn's donations if allegations are true|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jan/30/rnc-steve-wynn-sexual-misconduct-allegations|work=The Guardian|date=January 30, 2018|language=en|access-date=January 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201020255/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jan/30/rnc-steve-wynn-sexual-misconduct-allegations|archive-date=February 1, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Sommer|first1=Will|title=RNC will keep Wynn money until outside investigation is complete|url=http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/371369-rnc-will|work=The Hill|date=January 30, 2018|access-date=January 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201075245/http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/371369-rnc-will|archive-date=February 1, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Blake|first1=Aaron|title=Analysis {{!}} Republicans draw a very fine line between Steve Wynn and Harvey Weinstein, while keeping Wynn's money|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2018/01/30/republicans-draw-a-very-fine-line-between-steve-wynn-and-harvey-weinstein-while-keeping-wynns-money/|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=January 30, 2018|access-date=January 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131225438/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2018/01/30/republicans-draw-a-very-fine-line-between-steve-wynn-and-harvey-weinstein-while-keeping-wynns-money/|archive-date=January 31, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2019, it was reported that Wynn had donated nearly $400,000 to the national Republican Party, most of it to the RNC, the previous month. In 2017, Wynn and his wife donated $375,000 to the RNC. As of May 2019, none of the money has been returned by the RNC. Steve Wynn has never been convicted of the allegations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://politi.co/2JqrEoX|title=Republicans take $400k from casino mogul accused of sexual assault|last=Isenstadt|first=Alex|website=Politico|date=May 17, 2019 |language=en|access-date=May 19, 2019|archive-date=November 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121202704/https://www.politico.com/story/2019/05/17/republicans-steve-wynn-sexual-assault-1331479|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Haberman|first1=Maggie |authorlink=Maggie Haberman |last2=Karni|first2=Annie|language=en-US|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/19/us/politics/rnc-steve-wynn-donations.html|title=R.N.C. Accepts Money From Steve Wynn, Mogul Accused of Sexual Misconduct|date=May 19, 2019|work=The New York Times|access-date=May 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190519211810/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/19/us/politics/rnc-steve-wynn-donations.html|archive-date=May 19, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2019, McDaniel emailed [[Doug Manchester]], whose nomination to become Ambassador to the Bahamas was stalled in the Senate, asking for $500,000 in donations to the Republican Party. Manchester responded, noting that his wife had given $100,000 and that his family would "respond" once he was confirmed by the Republican-led Senate to the ambassadorship. Manchester copied the email to aides of two U.S. senators whose support he needed to win confirmation. CBS News described McDaniel's action as a "possible pay-for-play scheme" for the ambassadorship.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/doug-manchester-possible-pay-to-play-scheme-for-ambassador-role-in-trump-administration-uncovered/ |title=Possible pay-to-play scheme for ambassador role in Trump administration uncovered by CBS News |date=November 18, 2019 |work=CBS News |language=en |access-date=November 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191119012713/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/doug-manchester-possible-pay-to-play-scheme-for-ambassador-role-in-trump-administration-uncovered/ |archive-date=November 19, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/2019/11/18/20970842/ronna-mcdaniel-rnc-doug-manchester-ambassador-bahamas-trump|title=New investigation suggests Republicans took ambassadorial pay-to-play to new levels|last=Rupar|first=Aaron|date=November 18, 2019|website=Vox|language=en|access-date=November 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191119012644/https://www.vox.com/2019/11/18/20970842/ronna-mcdaniel-rnc-doug-manchester-ambassador-bahamas-trump|archive-date=November 19, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> ''The San Diego Union-Tribune'' reported in May 2021 that a federal grand jury had issued a subpoena in a criminal investigation into Manchester's nomination, apparently focused on the RNC, McDaniel and RNC co-chairman [[Thomas O. Hicks Jr.|Tommy Hicks]], and possibly members of Congress. ''The'' ''Union-Tribune'' reported the investigation began in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/watchdog/story/2021-05-15/manchester-contributions-probe|title=Manchester's political contributions, ambassador nod are subject of criminal probe|date=May 15, 2021|website=The San Diego Union-Tribune|access-date=May 16, 2021|archive-date=May 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516191530/https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/watchdog/story/2021-05-15/manchester-contributions-probe|url-status=live}}</ref> ===Other controversies=== Under McDaniel's leadership, the RNC set up a website in April 2018 which attacked and sought to undermine former FBI Director [[James Comey]] and called him "Lyin' Comey".<ref name="comey">{{Cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/04/12/politics/trump-comey-publicity-tour/index.html|title=Exclusive: Inside the GOP plan to discredit Comey|first=Jeff|last=Zeleny|work=CNN|access-date=April 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412200350/https://edition.cnn.com/2018/04/12/politics/trump-comey-publicity-tour/index.html|archive-date=April 12, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> McDaniel said Comey was a liar and a leaker, and said that the RNC would "make sure the American people understand why he has no one but himself to blame for his complete lack of credibility".<ref name="comey" /><ref name="thehill.com">{{cite news|url=http://thehill.com/homenews/media/383109-tapper-asks-rnc-chief-what-gives-you-moral-ground-to-question-comeys-integrity|title=Tapper asks RNC chief: What gives you 'moral ground' to question Comey's integrity?|first=Jesse|last=Byrnes|date=April 13, 2018|newspaper=The Hill|access-date=April 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180415065726/http://thehill.com/homenews/media/383109-tapper-asks-rnc-chief-what-gives-you-moral-ground-to-question-comeys-integrity|archive-date=April 15, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In late July 2018, McDaniel falsely<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.niemanlab.org/2018/07/twitters-not-shadow-banning-republicans-but-get-ready-to-hear-that-it-is/.|title=Twitter's not "shadow banning" Republicans, but get ready to hear that it is|publisher=Nieman Lab|access-date=July 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730213821/http://www.niemanlab.org/2018/07/twitters-not-shadow-banning-republicans-but-get-ready-to-hear-that-it-is/|archive-date=July 30, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |language=en |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/26/us/politics/twitter-shadowbanning.html|title=What Is a 'Shadow Ban,' and Is Twitter Doing It to Republican Accounts?|date=July 26, 2018 |access-date=July 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419111514/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/26/us/politics/twitter-shadowbanning.html|archive-date=April 19, 2019|url-status=live|last1=Stack |first1=Liam}}</ref> claimed that [[Twitter]] was [[shadow banning]] Republicans, including herself.<ref name="shadow" /> Twitter did not shadowban Republicans, but due to a glitch, several prominent conservative and left-leaning Twitter accounts were not automatically suggested in the site's drop-down search results.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/charliewarzel/twitter-shadow-ban-republicans-bug|title=Twitter Isn't Shadow-Banning Republicans. Here's Why.|work=BuzzFeed News|language=en |access-date=July 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731153804/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/charliewarzel/twitter-shadow-ban-republicans-bug|archive-date=July 31, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.engadget.com/2018/07/26/twitter-says-republican-shadow-ban-is-a-bug/|title=Twitter says supposed 'shadow ban' of prominent Republicans is a bug|work=Engadget |language=en-US |access-date=July 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731153701/https://www.engadget.com/2018/07/26/twitter-says-republican-shadow-ban-is-a-bug/|archive-date=July 31, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="shadow">{{cite news |title=RNC Chair Calls for Transparency From Twitter After Alleged 'Shadow Banning' of Republicans |work=Fox News |date=July 27, 2018 |url=http://insider.foxnews.com/2018/07/27/rnc-chair-calls-transparency-twitter-after-shadow-banning-republicans |access-date=July 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730061734/http://insider.foxnews.com/2018/07/27/rnc-chair-calls-transparency-twitter-after-shadow-banning-republicans |archive-date=July 30, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Twitter responded, saying it would fix the bug.<ref name="HillBan1">{{cite news |last1=Samuels |first1=Brett |title=Trump: 'We will look into' Twitter for 'shadow banning' Republicans |newspaper=The Hill |date=July 26, 2018 |url=http://thehill.com/policy/technology/398943-trump-government-will-look-into-twitter-for-shadow-banning-republicans |access-date=July 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731153445/http://thehill.com/policy/technology/398943-trump-government-will-look-into-twitter-for-shadow-banning-republicans |archive-date=July 31, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Politico'' reported in November 2018 that McDaniel called on the Republican candidate [[Martha McSally]] to be more aggressive during the ballot counting process in the [[United States Senate election in Arizona, 2018|Arizona Senate race]]. The Arizona Senate race remained undecided for several days after election night while all ballots were being accounted in a close contest.<ref name="Arkin">{{Cite news |first1=James|last1=Arkin|first2=Alex|last2=Isenstadt|date=November 9, 2018 |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2018/11/09/sinema-mcsally-arizona-senate-race-982562|title=Sinema expands lead in Arizona Senate race|work=[[Politico]] |language=en |access-date=November 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181112223031/https://www.politico.com/story/2018/11/09/sinema-mcsally-arizona-senate-race-982562|archive-date=November 12, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> McSally held a lead by the end of election night, but her lead narrowed over the next few days, as more ballots were counted.<ref name="Arkin" /> Reportedly, the McSally campaign was being pressured from McDaniel for not being aggressive enough.<ref name="Arkin" /><ref>{{Cite news |first=Jessica|last=Boehm|date=November 12, 2018 |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/elections/2018/11/12/arizona-elections-no-evidence-voter-fraud-despite-claims-senate-martha-mcsally-kyrsten-sinema/1975617002/|title=Despite rampant claims, there is no evidence of voter fraud in Arizona|work=[[The Arizona Republic]] |language=en |access-date=November 13, 2018 |archive-date=November 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121202634/https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/elections/2018/11/12/arizona-elections-no-evidence-voter-fraud-despite-claims-senate-martha-mcsally-kyrsten-sinema/1975617002/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |first=Rachel|last=Leingang|date=November 12, 2018 |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/elections/2018/11/12/arizona-senate-martha-mcsally-concedes-kyrsten-sinema/1984298002/|title=Martha McSally concedes to Kyrsten Sinema after 'hard-fought battle'|work=[[The Arizona Republic]] |language=en |access-date=November 13, 2018 |archive-date=November 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121202635/https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/elections/2018/11/12/arizona-senate-martha-mcsally-concedes-kyrsten-sinema/1984298002/|url-status=live}}</ref> On May 13, 2020 ''[[ProPublica]]'' reported that big RNC contracts were awarded by McDaniel to companies closely connected to her.<ref name="Spies">{{cite news |last1=Spies |first1=Mike |last2=Pearson |first2=Jake |title=The RNC Gave Big Contracts to Companies Linked to Its Chairwoman's Husband and Political Backers |work=[[ProPublica]] |date=March 13, 2020 |language=en |url=https://www.propublica.org/article/the-rnc-gave-big-contracts-to-companies-linked-to-its-chairwomans-husband-and-political-backers |access-date=June 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623000201/https://www.propublica.org/article/the-rnc-gave-big-contracts-to-companies-linked-to-its-chairwomans-husband-and-political-backers |archive-date=June 23, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> Contracts went to her husband's company and companies that supported her 2015 run for the chairmanship of the Republican Party in Michigan.<ref name="Spies" /> On October 18, 2020, McDaniel refused to condemn [[QAnon]] on ''[[This Week (American TV program)|This Week with George Stephanopoulos]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=O'Connell |first1=Oliver |title=Republican chairwoman refuses to condemn QAnon, instead pivots to Antifa |work=[[The Independent]] |date=October 18, 2020 |language=en|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-election-2020/qanon-ronna-mcdaniel-trump-romney-stephanopoulos-condemn-b1138387.html |access-date=October 19, 2020 |archive-date=October 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019015701/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-election-2020/qanon-ronna-mcdaniel-trump-romney-stephanopoulos-condemn-b1138387.html |url-status=live}}</ref> On October 27, 2022, McDaniel openly mocked prominent Democratic politicians such as then-[[Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania]] and [[U.S. Senate]] candidate [[John Fetterman]] and President [[Joe Biden]] for suffering speech impediments. Fetterman was recovering from a stroke at the time.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wagner |first=John |date=October 27, 2022 |title=Head of Republican Party mocks speaking abilities of Fetterman, Biden |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/10/27/republicans-mccarthy-mcdaniel-fetterman/ |access-date=October 27, 2022 |archive-date=October 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028004844/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/10/27/republicans-mccarthy-mcdaniel-fetterman/ |url-status=live}}</ref> == Later career == On March 22, 2024, [[NBC News]] announced that it had hired McDaniel as a professional insurrectionist.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weprin |first=Alex |date=2024-03-22 |title=NBC News Hires Former RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/politics-news/nbc-news-hires-ronna-mcdaniel-msnbc-analyst-1235858150/ |access-date=2024-03-22 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref> == Personal life == A member of [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]],<ref>{{cite news|last1=Glueck|first1=Katie|date=March 7, 2017|title=Can Ronna Romney McDaniel unite a fractured Republican Party?|publisher=[[McClatchy#McClatchy DC Bureau|McClatchy Washington Bureau]]|url=https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/article136769203.html|url-status=live|access-date=August 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170531163604/http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/article136769203.html|archive-date=May 31, 2017}}</ref> she has two children with her husband, Patrick McDaniel.<ref name="latest" /> They live in [[Northville, Michigan]].<ref name="patch" /> ==Notelist== {{Notelist}} ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== {{commons category}} * {{twitter|GOPChairwoman}} * {{C-SPAN|68058}} {{s-start}} {{s-ppo}} {{s-bef|before=[[Bobby Schostak]]}} {{s-ttl|title=Chair of the [[Michigan Republican Party]]|years=2015–2017}} {{s-aft|after=[[Ron Weiser]]}} |- {{s-bef|before=[[Reince Priebus]]}} {{s-ttl|title=Chair of the [[Republican National Committee]]|years=2017–2024}} {{s-aft|after=[[Michael Whatley]]}} {{s-end}} {{Republican Party (United States) |state=collapsed}} {{Mitt Romney}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:McDaniel, Ronna}} [[Category:1973 births]] [[Category:21st-century American women politicians]] [[Category:Brigham Young University alumni]] [[Category:Latter Day Saints from Michigan]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Michigan Republican Party chairs]] [[Category:Michigan Republicans]] [[Category:People from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan]] [[Category:People from Northville, Michigan]] [[Category:Romney family]] [[Category:Republican National Committee chairs]] [[Category:Women in Michigan politics]]'