The RNC chairman is stepping down. Trump wants a Florida Republican to step in
Posting on his social media site, Truth Social, Trump said Florida Sen. Joe Gruters, from Sarasota, 'will do a wonderful job' as the chairman of the Republican Party.
Gruters, 48, confirmed in a text message that he wants the job.
'I'm looking forward to advancing President Trump's America First agenda as the next Chair of the RNC,' Gruters wrote in a text message to the Miami Herald. 'He is the greatest President in our nation's history, and I'm ready to serve, fight, and win for our party and our country.'
Trump endorsed Gruters at the end of a post about current RNC Chairman Michael Whatley, who is expected to step down from his position to seek a soon-to-be-open seat in the U.S. Senate representing North Carolina. Trump said Whatley has his endorsement for the Senate seat should he run.
Gruters, a former Florida GOP chairman, has been a longtime supporter and friend of Trump's. He was co-chair of the president's 2016 campaign in Florida, and got a look from the president last year when then-RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel was on her way out.
Gruters has been campaigning for the post of Florida chief financial officer, and only recently announced that two of Trump's top political advisors would work for his campaign. He faces a competitive primary, with Gov. Ron DeSantis this month appointing former state Sen. Blaise Ingoglia to the post.
Gruters did not say whether his interest in the RNC job would affect his campaign.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hill
19 minutes ago
- The Hill
Zelensky says Russia seems ‘more inclined toward a ceasefire'
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday said he believed Russia was more likely to agree to a ceasefire than previously, and argued pressure from the U.S. is a key reason. Zelensky spoke amid reports that President Trump had discussed with European officials a meeting with Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin in the coming weeks. 'Russia now seems to be more inclined toward a ceasefire – the pressure is working. But the key is to ensure they don't deceive anyone in the details – neither us, nor the United States,' Zelensky said during an address. 'We have proposed that in the near future, our representatives – from Ukraine and our partners, our national security advisors – hold talks to determine our position, our common position, and our shared vision,' he added. President Trump and Republican lawmakers have repeatedly threatened economic sanctions for the Kremlin if an agreement is not soon reached. On Wednesday, Trump's team said Russia was interested in talking to the president. 'The Russians expressed their desire to meet with President Trump, and the President is open to meeting with both President Putin and President Zelensky. President Trump wants this brutal war to end,' White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said. Putin has urged Ukraine to cede portions of its territory now under Russian control. Zelensky has rejected efforts to redefine Ukraine's sovereign borders. The Ukrainian president said he spoke with Trump following Special Envoy Steve Witkoff's meetings with officials in Moscow. 'Our joint position with our partners is absolutely clear – the war must end,' Zelensky wrote in a Wednesday post on X. 'And it must be done honestly. European leaders were on the call, and I am grateful to each of them for their support. We discussed what was spelled out in Moscow.'
NBC News
20 minutes ago
- NBC News
Trump reportedly open to meeting with Putin soon
A White House official says President Trump could meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin as soon as next week about a ceasefire in Ukraine. It comes after a meeting between president Trump's Envoy Steve Witkoff and Putin today in the Kremlin. NBC News' Keir Simmons reports.
Newsweek
20 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Zohran Mamdani Reacts to Report Trump Could Get Involved in NYC Race
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Democratic mayoral primary winner and New York state Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani reacted to a report from The New York Times on Wednesday that President Donald Trump is weighing the possibility of getting involved in the New York City mayoral race. Newsweek reached out to Mamdani's campaign via email for comment. Why It Matters The possibility of Trump intervening in New York City's closely watched mayoral race has injected a new level of uncertainty into an already tumultuous contest. With Mamdani, a democratic socialist, securing the Democratic nomination, his progressive platform has become a lightning rod for national and local political forces. The added element of Trump, a polarizing figure in New York, considering involvement could reshape alliances, influence voter turnout and have implications for the broader 2026 midterm cycle. Analysts note that the outcome of this race may serve as a litmus test for the future direction of Democratic politics in major American cities and the role of high-profile national figures in local campaigns. What To Know According to the Times report, citing eight people briefed on discussions, the president has privately considered if he should get involved, with the goal of blocking Mamdani from securing a win. Trump has spoken to pollster Mark Penn and former New York City Council President Andrew Stein about polling that shows former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo being Mamdani's strongest competitor in the race, the Times reports. Cuomo and Trump have directly spoken as well, the outlet says, citing three people. It is unknown who initiated the call or what was discussed. Reacting to the report, Mamdani said, "This should be a race about addressing the questions of who will make the city affordable, who will ensure that each and every New Yorker is safe ... not an audition for the best jester for Donald Trump and his billionaire supporters," Politico reporter Emily Ngo posted to X on Wednesday. Mamdani also posted the Times article on X, formerly Twitter. New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani speaks at a news conference on the victims of the Midtown shooting on July 30 in New York City. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani speaks at a news conference on the victims of the Midtown shooting on July 30 in New York City. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) Recent polling shows Mamdani leading in a four-way race versus Cuomo, New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa. In a two-way race, Cuomo and Mamdani are closer and within the margin of error. The Times reports that Cuomo spokesperson Rich Azzopardi said the former governor and Trump "have not spoken in a while," but did not elaborate on the time frame. "As far as I know, they have not discussed the race," he added. Newsweek also reached out to Cuomo's campaign via email Wednesday evening. What People Are Saying Mamdani posted to X on Wednesday: "Today we learned Andrew Cuomo is directly coordinating with Donald Trump, even as this President sends masked agents to rip our neighbors off the streets and guts the social services so many New Yorkers rely on. It's disqualifying and a betrayal of our city." New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, who also ran for mayor, posted to X on Wednesday: "Hey @andrewcuomo: Is it true that you spoke to Donald Trump about clearing the right-wing lane for you? When? What did you promise him in return? New Yorkers deserve to know." New York Democratic U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez posted to X on Wednesday: "NYers knew Andrew Cuomo was backed by Trump's orbit. That's why he lost the primary. Now we have confirmation. It's time for Dem leaders to unite behind @ZohranKMamdani. If they don't now, how can they call for party unity later? We must lead by example. Let's win together." What Happens Next It remains uncertain whether Trump will intervene publicly or endorse a candidate in the mayoral race. City political dynamics and Trump's well-documented unpopularity among New York's Democratic voters suggest an intervention by the president may have unpredictable consequences for all sides.
