President Donald Trump has endorsed Joe Gruters for another term as chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC), signaling his intention to maintain influence over the party’s leadership and the selection of its potential presidential nominee for the 2028 election.
Trump announced his support on Friday through a post on Truth Social, praising Gruters as a loyal ally and urging Republicans across the country to back his continued leadership of the party.
“Republicans everywhere should support him as he continues his mission at the RNC,” Trump wrote. “Joe is 100% America First, the Grassroots LOVES him, and I know he will do an incredible job in 2028, and secure Great Success for Republicans all across our Country.”
Gruters has not formally announced his intention to seek another term. However, two people familiar with his plans, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the decision has not been made public, said he is expected to run again. An RNC spokesperson declined to comment.
Trump’s endorsement comes as Republicans face growing criticism following a disappointing midterm election performance. The party’s losses have intensified questions about its political strategy and leadership, while Gruters has come under scrutiny over the results.
The leadership contest is already taking shape. RNC co-Chair KC Crosbie announced earlier this week that she intends to challenge for the chairmanship. Describing Tuesday’s election results as a “serious setback,” Crosbie said the party needed to confront “where we fell short.”
Trump, however, made no reference to the Republican losses in his endorsement. Instead, he highlighted Gruters’ political record in Florida, where he previously served as chairman of the state’s Republican Party.
“As State Senator and Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, Joe helped us deliver massive and historic Victories across the State, including my three BIG WINS in 2016, 2020, and 2024!” Trump wrote.
He also credited Gruters with helping him secure Florida by what he described as the highest vote margin in the state’s history before Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election.
Gruters became RNC chairman last August, replacing Michael Whatley with Trump’s backing. Before taking the national party leadership position, he had established himself as a strong Trump supporter, endorsing the president during the 2024 Republican presidential primary against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
Trump also recalled Gruters’ earlier support, noting that he had named him statesman of the year in 2012 and 2015 while serving as chairman of the Sarasota County Republican Party.
“The only person to ever win it two times!” Trump said.
Gruters’ potential re-election carries significance beyond the party’s internal leadership structure. The RNC will have a central role in organizing the Republican presidential nomination process ahead of the 2028 election, including decisions involving the primary calendar, debate arrangements and other party procedures.
The chairman’s position could therefore provide considerable influence over the political environment in which Republican presidential candidates compete to succeed Trump.
The issue has previously generated concerns within the Republican Party. Ahead of the 2024 presidential primaries, some Republicans privately questioned whether having a Trump loyalist, then-chair Ronna McDaniel, leading the national committee could give the former president an unfair advantage in the nomination process.
McDaniel was nevertheless comfortably re-elected and remained in charge as Republicans moved through the 2024 primaries.
Gruters’ political relationship with DeSantis could also become relevant as the party approaches the next presidential election. The two have clashed politically, including during Gruters’ consideration of a possible campaign for Florida’s chief financial officer position last year. DeSantis remains a potential contender for the Republican presidential nomination in 2028.
Trump’s endorsement of Gruters also came on a day of significant changes within his administration. On Friday, the president announced that deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller would become the next White House chief of staff, replacing Susie Wiles.
Trump said Wiles, another Florida native, would move to the Trump political operation, suggesting she would continue to play a role in his political activities.
