President Donald Trump has announced a major endorsement for the Republican Party’s leadership, throwing his support behind Republican National Committee Chairman Joe Gruters for another two-year term despite the GOP’s devastating midterm election losses.
The announcement came Friday, just three days after Democrats captured control of both chambers of Congress, leaving Republicans scrambling to determine how to rebuild before the 2028 presidential election.
But rather than replace the party’s top official, Trump is backing a familiar ally.
In a statement posted to Truth Social, the president praised Gruters for his loyalty, leadership and longstanding commitment to the America First movement.
“MAGA Warrior Joe Gruters, who has been with us from the very beginning, is running to continue as Chairman of the Republican National Committee,” Trump wrote.
The president also credited Gruters with transforming the organization into a more effective political operation.
“As Chairman, Joe turned the RNC into an efficient, focused, and powerful machine that will continue to empower the America First Agenda for many years to come,” he added.
The endorsement comes ahead of the RNC’s January leadership election, when members will decide who should guide the party through its next presidential election cycle.
Gruters first became chairman in August 2025, securing unanimous support at the committee’s summer meeting with Trump’s endorsement.
Before assuming the chairmanship, he served as RNC treasurer.
He replaced Michael Whatley, who stepped aside to pursue North Carolina’s open U.S. Senate seat.
That decision ultimately ended in defeat, with Democrat Roy Cooper beating Whatley in Tuesday’s election.
Trump’s latest endorsement suggests that the president intends to maintain continuity within the Republican Party’s leadership despite the losses.
And much of his reasoning appears rooted in Gruters’ political history in Florida.
The Sarasota Republican previously served as chairman of the Republican Party of Florida from 2019 through 2023, helping oversee a period of considerable Republican electoral gains.
During his tenure, Republicans eliminated Democrats’ voter registration advantage in the state and secured several major election victories.
Trump highlighted that record in his endorsement.
“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!” the president declared.
Trump also emphasized the particularly strong Republican performance in Florida during the 2024 presidential election.
His relationship with Gruters extends even further back.
Before becoming a national Republican figure, Gruters led the Sarasota County Republican Party and developed ties with Trump before his first presidential campaign.
Trump recalled receiving the county organization’s Statesman of the Year award in both 2012 and 2015.
“As Sarasota County Chairman, Joe named me Statesman of the Year in both 2012 and 2015 — The only person to ever win it two times!” he wrote.
Those longstanding political connections appear to remain important as Trump considers the Republican Party’s next steps.
However, the endorsement arrives during a particularly difficult moment for the GOP.
Tuesday’s midterm results delivered major Democratic gains, costing Republicans their House and Senate majorities.
The losses have intensified discussions about the party’s campaign strategy, its leadership and the political direction it should pursue heading into 2028, per Trending Politics.
Florida, however, offered Republicans a contrasting result.
The party successfully defended every statewide office on the ballot, although it lost its supermajority in the Florida House.
Republicans also appeared positioned to retain their congressional seats, with a recount still pending in the state’s 27th Congressional District.
Among the Republican winners was Gruters’ wife, Sydney Gruters, who secured the open congressional seat in Florida’s 16th District.
Trump pointed to Gruters’ electoral experience as a reason to keep him in charge nationally.
“Joe Gruters should return as Chairman of the RNC to continue to build our Party, and be a trusted partner as we MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, and ensure Free and Fair Elections,” Trump wrote.
The president concluded by urging Republicans nationwide to support his preferred candidate.
“Joe is 100% America First, the Grassroots LOVES him, and I know he will do an incredible job in 2028,” he added.
The endorsement places Trump firmly behind the incumbent chairman as Republican officials prepare for January’s leadership vote.
Although Gruters’ reelection has not yet been decided, the president has made clear that he wants his longtime Florida ally overseeing the party’s recovery.
And after an election that left Republicans without control of Congress, Trump’s decision signals that at least one prominent GOP leader continues to enjoy his confidence.
