President Trump has thrown his full support behind Republican National Committee Treasurer Joe Gruters to succeed Michael Whatley as RNC Chair. The endorsement comes as Whatley prepares to step down to launch a campaign for the 2026 U.S. Senate race in North Carolina. Lara Trump has opted out of running for the position, leaving Gruters as the leading candidate with Trump’s backing.
Trump made the announcement on Truth Social, stating, “His name is, Joe Gruters, and he will have my Complete and Total Endorsement. So, should Michael Whatley run for the Senate, please let this notification represent my Complete and Total Endorsement.”
Gruters, a Florida state senator and former Florida GOP Chair, has been a loyal Trump ally for years. He currently serves as RNC Treasurer and is credited with spearheading Republican voter registration drives in Florida that turned the state solidly red during his tenure.
Gruters had previously considered a bid for Florida Chief Financial Officer but was passed over for endorsement by Governor Ron DeSantis. With the RNC Chair position opening, he is expected to abandon that effort in favor of national party leadership. His rise to the top of the RNC underscores Trump’s continued influence in shaping party leadership and strategy ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Michael Whatley, who has led the RNC since March 2024, is preparing to seek the Senate seat being vacated by retiring Senator Thom Tillis. Whatley, the former North Carolina GOP Chair, is viewed as a strong candidate with extensive national fundraising connections and no public voting record for Democrats to attack. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has already coordinated with Trump on donor outreach to ensure Republican unity behind Whatley’s campaign.
North Carolina is expected to be one of the most competitive Senate races in 2026, with Democrats reportedly urging former Governor Roy Cooper to enter the race. Tillis’s decision to retire early, after repeated clashes with Trump over Medicaid expansion, has set the stage for a high-stakes battle that could determine control of the Senate.
Republican leadership is working to present a unified front by rallying around Trump-endorsed candidates both at the RNC and in North Carolina. Coordinated messaging and early fundraising efforts indicate the GOP intends to avoid intraparty divisions as it positions itself for critical midterm victories.
