Trump campaign slams draft RNC resolution ensuring neutrality until he fully secures nomination

Trump's top campaign adviser Chris LaCivita said he would not allow the RNC to cover the former president's legal expenses.

By Madeleine Hubbard

Published: February 25, 2024 2:42pm

Former President Donald Trump's campaign criticized a draft Republican National Committee resolution as he appears likely to secure the party's 2024 presidential nomination against President Joe Biden.

The resolution would prevent the party from treating Trump as the presumptive presidential nominee until he secures the required number of delegates at the convention, The Dispatch reported Saturday.

A second resolution is also circulating that would prohibit the RNC from spending money on Trump's legal bills, which Trump's campaign appears more open to.

Trump's top campaign adviser Chris LaCivita told NBC News on Friday that he would not allow the RNC to cover the former president's legal expenses.

However, Trump's daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, recently suggested that voters would want the RNC to cover the former president's legal bills. "Absolutely. That’s why you’ve seen a GoFundMe get started," she said, referring to an online fundraiser to pay the former president's legal bills.

Meanwhile, the New York Post reported Sunday that LaCivita believes that Trump should be treated as the presumptive nominee, contrary to what the resolution says.

"The primary is over and it is the RNC’s sole responsibility to defeat Joe Biden and win back the White House," he said. "Efforts to delay that assist Joe Biden in the destruction of our nation. Republicans cannot stand on the sidelines and allow this to happen."

Last month Trump opposed a resolution to treat him as the presumptive nominee, arguing that “for the sake of PARTY UNITY, that they should NOT go forward with this plan,” according to the outlet.

Trump is backing LaCivita to become the Republican Party's chief operating officer and he is pushing for Lara Trump to serve as the party's co-chair alongside North Carolina GOP Chair Michael Whatley. Current chairman Ronna McDaniel is expected to step aside during the RNC’s March 7-9 meeting in Houston.

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