The Republican National Committee (RNC) has withdrawn a resolution that was under consideration to designate Donald Trump as the party's "presumptive 2024 nominee" prior to him officially securing the required number of delegates, according to an individual familiar with the matter who disclosed the decision on Thursday.
This development followed shortly after Trump took to his Truth Social platform to express his gratitude for the proposal while advocating for "party unity," suggesting that the process should adhere to traditional methods and culminate at the ballot box.
The proposed resolution, as outlined in a draft obtained by The Associated Press on Thursday, aimed to proclaim President Trump as the presumptive nominee for the 2024 presidential election, transitioning the party into full general election mode and embracing supporters from all candidate camps as integral members of "Team Trump 2024."
The withdrawal of the resolution was confirmed by a knowledgeable source who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and chose to remain anonymous on Thursday evening.
Had it been approved, the resolution could have further solidified Trump's influence within the party, particularly at a time when former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley remains in contention for the GOP nomination.
RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel had previously signaled her support for the resolution, emphasizing the importance of rallying around the eventual nominee, expected to be Donald Trump, despite Haley's competitive campaign.
Anticipated to be deliberated at the RNC's upcoming winter meeting in Las Vegas, the resolution's withdrawal underscores the fact that Trump has not yet amassed the requisite number of delegates to secure the nomination, with only two states having held their primaries.
In response to the RNC's deliberations, Haley's camp emphasized that the determination of the GOP nominee should be left to Republican voters across the nation rather than the RNC's decision-makers, dismissing the latter as Washington insiders.
While the RNC's resolution was seen as an unconventional move given the lack of delegate consensus, it could have jumpstarted the Republican Party's preparation for a potential general election showdown with Democratic President Joe Biden, who has framed his re-election bid as a rematch of the 2020 race against Trump.
Despite trailing Trump in both the Iowa and New Hampshire primaries, Haley has underscored her resilience, touting her campaign's fundraising prowess and positioning herself as a viable alternative within the Republican Party.
Trump's recent remarks, perceived as attempts to dissuade potential donors from supporting Haley's campaign, were met with a surge in contributions, demonstrating a groundswell of support for her vision of conservative leadership.
While Trump's efforts to dissuade donors may have cast a shadow of intimidation, supporters like T.J. Petrizzo remain steadfast in their backing of Haley, emphasizing that there is ample time before the general election for the GOP to coalesce around its chosen nominee.
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