Former Republican National Committee (RNC) chair Ronna McDaniel recently backed her successor’s decision to funnel donations through a PAC that pays for former President Trump’s legal bills on Sunday via The Hill.
McDaniel stepped down as chair earlier this month, said in an NBC “Meet the Press” interview with Kristen Welker that donors should be able to use their money for the former president’s legal fees.
She had agreed with the plan “as long as the donors know that that’s what they’re doing.”
“If [supporters] feel strongly to support his legal bills, then they have every right to do so,” she said. “And I think he’s being very open that they’re helping with his legal bills.”
The donation change, announced Friday, is backed by the new RNC leadership group, which includes Lara Trump, the former president’s daughter-in-law.
As per the deal, all incoming donations will be routed to the Trump campaign first. If the donation cap is met, the money will then go to Save America PAC, with the remainder going to the RNC.
A few RNC members voiced their reservations about the plan, pointing out the committee’s dismal track record of fundraising, cash shortage, and moral dilemmas surrounding the allocation of political contributions to legal costs. Earlier this month, an attempt to scrap the idea was unsuccessful.
This month, the RNC reportedly made major changes to its leadership structure and fired scores of employees, essentially transforming the group into a Trump campaign ally.
