Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) took a swing at former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in a social media post late Tuesday, saying he would make a “terrific” next chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC) due to a lack of any specific policy positions.
“I fully endorse Kevin McCarthy for RNC Chair,” Gaetz posted to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. “Kevin is well organized and a very high-revenue fundraiser. He will also be well-liked by the RNC Committee. The RNC Chair doesn’t make any policy decisions, set any agenda, or negotiate against Democrats, ever. Kevin would be terrific.”
Later in a Twitter Spaces appearance, Gaetz proposed revamping the RNC into a “skeletal system that raises money” without allowing it to play a role in influencing the party’s agenda.
Gaetz, who led the ousting of McCarthy as Speaker last fall, has continued to lob barbs at the former top Republican since he left office. Gaetz carried on his attacks in a series of social media posts into Wednesday, including criticizing McCarthy in an interview for House Republicans’ slimmer majority following his exit from Congress.
For his part, McCarthy has said the GOP would benefit “tremendously” if the Florida Republican was not around.
“People have to earn the right to be here,” McCarthy said in November. “I mean, he’ll admit to you personally, he doesn’t have a conservative bent in his philosophy. And just the nature of what he focuses on.”
Gaetz’s latest comments come amid reports that the head of the RNC may step down soon.
Multiple outlets reported that current chair Ronna McDaniel may leave the role following the South Carolina primary, with her reportedly facing pressure from other party figures who are displeased with the direction of the party and its finances as the 2024 election looms.
“Nothing has changed. This will be decided after South Carolina,” RNC spokesperson Keith Schipper said in a statement to The Hill on Tuesday.
Former President Trump said in an interview Sunday that he expects to see “some changes” when it comes to the RNC chair.
“I think she did great when she ran Michigan for me. I think she did OK initially in the RNC,” Trump told Fox News. “I would say, right now, there will probably be some changes made.”