In a surprising twist in the Republican Party, former presidential candidate Nikki Haley has accused former President Donald Trump of attempting to steal the 2024 election by influencing the top GOP leadership positions. The allegations came as Haley addressed the media at an event in Bamberg, South Carolina, on Tuesday morning.

Haley pointed out that Trump has made significant moves in reshaping the Republican National Committee (RNC), including endorsing a successor to the current RNC chair, Ronna McDaniel, should she step down in the coming days. The successor, as indicated by Trump, is Michael Whatley, who currently serves as the chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party and the general counsel for the RNC.

Whatley, who has been associated with Trump since the beginning and played key roles in both his campaign and transition team, is seen as a favorable choice by the former president. Additionally, Trump expressed his support for Lara Trump, his daughter-in-law, to co-chair the RNC.

Critics argue that these appointments suggest a manipulation of power by Trump to control the party, with his daughter-in-law and former campaign manager taking on influential roles within the RNC. While Lara Trump has less political experience, having mainly assisted in Trump's previous presidential campaigns and contributed as an on-air contributor on Fox News, her presence in a leadership position raises questions about her qualifications.

Haley's remarks have drawn strong responses from the Trump camp. Trump campaign spokesman, Steven Cheung, dismissed Haley's allegations, describing her as "desperate" and auditioning for a future cable news contract. Cheung also suggested she was attempting to capitalize on her connections with Democratic benefactors.

Speculation about Ronna McDaniel's potential departure as RNC chair has intensified recently, with reports from The New York Times and The Associated Press indicating that she may step down after the GOP primary in South Carolina on February 24. However, these reports have not been confirmed.

It is important to note that Trump has repeatedly claimed that the 2020 presidential election was rigged against him, despite multiple courts and election officials finding no evidence of widespread fraud. Trump is currently facing charges of unlawfully trying to overturn the election results from both special counsel Jack Smith and Fulton County, Georgia. He has pleaded not guilty in both cases.

It remains to be seen how these latest developments will impact the Republican Party and the 2024 election. The debate surrounding Trump's influence in selecting GOP leadership positions raises concerns about the integrity and independence of the party going forward.