The White House was blindsided by RNC co-chair KC Crosbie’s decision to challenge President Trump’s hand-picked party chairman Joe Gruters — a move that infuriated administration officials days after the GOP’s midterm drubbing, Axios has learned.
Why it’s important: Incumbent Republican presidents traditionally choose the RNC chairman, making leadership elections little more than a formality. Crosbie disputes this arrangement – even though she owes her own position to Trump.
- Trump quickly endorsed Gruters, posting a lengthy endorsement Friday to Truth Social calling on Republicans to support the outgoing president.
Driving the news: Crosbie announced his candidacy Thursday in a letter to the RNC’s 168 members obtained by Axios. He called for changes in the party after Tuesday’s election, which cost Republicans control of both houses of Congress.
- “Tuesday’s results are a serious setback,” Crosbie wrote. “We owe it to ourselves to honestly explain why.”
- She questioned whether the party adequately addressed voters’ concerns, supported its candidates and nominated Republicans who could win competitive elections.
- “I believe the RNC has failed to meet this responsibility and I hope to see this change,” she wrote.
The big picture: Crosbie’s call for a change in leadership represents the first significant challenge to Trump’s authority within the Republican Party after the midterms.
Behind the scenes: The White House was caught off guard by Crosbie’s decision and is furious that it did not notify officials beforehand.
- “The White House was blindsided by KC’s candidacy for RNC chair and people are furious that she didn’t give anyone a courtesy call,” an administration official told Axios.
- “The only reason she is currently serving as Co-Chair is because of President Trump. Her amateurish behavior and lack of respect for the sitting President is exactly why she should not be leading the Party.”
- Crosbie has served as co-chair of the RNC since January 2025. She is one rung below Gruters, who became chair in 2025. Crosbie previously served as treasurer of the RNC and has been a member of the Kentucky GOP national committee since 2012.
The plot: The administration official warned that a Crosbie victory would result in serious financial consequences for the RNC.
- Fundraising events featuring Trump, Vice President Vance and administration and Cabinet officials would cease if Crosbie is elected, the official said.
- Trump would also ban the RNC from using his image and signature in fundraising appeals, according to the official.
What they say: Trump has made clear he supports Gruters, who he met with on Friday. The president praised Gruters — who is close to members of Trump’s inner circle and became RNC chairman in August 2025 — for transforming the RNC into an “efficient, focused, powerful machine.”
- “Joe Gruters should return as RNC Chairman to continue building our party,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, giving him his “complete and total support.”
- Crosbie did not respond to a request for comment.
Zoom out: Trump chose Gruters and Crosbie for their current positions, making the leadership challenge particularly sensitive for the White House.
- Crosbie’s challenge puts the committee’s 168 members in the unusual position of choosing between Trump’s preferred president and a challenger who says the party needs to rethink its approach after its election defeat.
What’s next: The RNC will hold leadership elections at its January meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona.
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