Lara Trump unanimously elected co-chair of the RNC: Ex-president expands his influence even more in the GOP as his daughter-in-law takes key position after Ronna McDaniel stood down

Former President Donald Trump completed his takeover of the Republican Party Friday, when his daughter-in-law was elected co-chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC).

Lara Trump took over one of the top roles alongside another Trump loyalist, after Ronna McDaniel stood aside. 

Democrats immediately dismissed her elevation, saying her 'nepo title' would ensure another disastrous set of elections for her party.

It comes as the former president closes in on his third straight party nomination. 

While it is standard practice for nominees to merge their campaigns with the party apparatus, Trump will not receive the official nomination until July.

Lara Trump was unanimously elected co-chair of the Republican National Committee at its spring meeting in Houston, Texas, on Friday, as her father-in-law cements grip on the party

Donald Trump with his daughter-in-law Lara Trump at his Mar-a-Lago home

And although his team has promised not to use RNC funds to pay his personal legal bills, his key lieutenants will now face little challenge. 

Lara Trump has even said she believed voters would be OK with the party footing the bill. 

At the same time, Michael Whatley, a North Carolina Republican who has pushed false claims that the 2020 election was stolen, was elected national chairman.

'As co-chair, I will be laser-focused on protecting our elections, ensuring that the RNC's money is spent with maximum impact, and building out key capabilities to ensure that we win close races on the margins,' said Lara, wife of Trump's son Eric.

'Everything I do at this committee will have one focus: re-electing Donald Trump, flipping the Senate, and expanding the House this November.'

She is expected to focus on TV appearances and fundraising.

Democrats could not contain their contempt.

Alex Floyd, Democratic National Committee rapid response director, said: 'Her new nepo title only ensures that the RNC will keep putting up disastrous fundraising numbers and continue to underperform in election after election.'

For his part, the new national chairman Whatley said: 'We are already well on our way to making Joe Biden a one-term president, and I look forward to working alongside each and every Republican across the country to deliver Republican victories up and down the ballot.'

Ronna McDaniel stepped down after losing the confidence of Trump and his lieutenants

Eric Trump (L), son of the former president, and his wife Lara Trump attend a Super Tuesday election night watch party at Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida

Lara Trump has become a familiar face at Trump campaign events. She is seen here with her father-in-law at Kenosha Regional Airport, Wisconsin, in November 2020

McDaniel was handpicked by Trump to head the committee seven years but fell out of favor with the former president's MAGA movement, which felt she was insufficiently loyal and to blame for election defeats.

She called for unity as she left her role. 

'We have to stop the attacking other Republicans,' she told committee members at their meeting in Houston, Texas, according to the Associated Press. 

'If we spend our time attacking each other, we guarantee the Democrats are going to win.'

Completing the takeover is senior adviser to the Trump campaign Chris LaCivita, who will become the committee's chief of staff, responsible for day-to-day operations.