Ronna McDaniel, who stepped down as Republican National Committee chairwoman in February 2024, has resurfaced in the political arena after a brief and tumultuous stint at NBC News. The former RNC leader is taking on a new role in her home state of Michigan.

According to The Daily Caller, McDaniel will lead a nonprofit organization called Michigan Forward Network, funded by the wealthy DeVos family. The organization aims to push Michigan in a more conservative direction following President Trump's victory in the state during the 2024 election.

McDaniel has largely remained out of the public spotlight since parting ways with NBC News in March 2024, just days after the network hired her as a contributor. Her appointment at the network sparked an immediate backlash from NBC staff members who objected to her previous statements about the 2020 election.

From NBC failure to Michigan comeback

McDaniel's new role represents a return to her political roots after her brief and controversial media career imploded spectacularly. The Michigan Forward Network will focus on building upon Republican momentum in a critical swing state.

In announcing her new position, McDaniel pointed to President Trump's victory in Michigan as evidence that residents are dissatisfied with progressive policies. "President Trump's historic victory last year showed that Michiganders are sick of extreme policies that have made our communities unsafe, our schools fail, and our state too expensive," McDaniel stated on social media.

The DeVos family, known for their significant political influence and wealth, is funding the nonprofit organization. Betsy DeVos previously served as Education Secretary during President Trump's first term, and the family has long been major Republican donors with deep ties to Michigan politics.

NBC News controversy and backlash

McDaniel's hiring by NBC News in March 2024 generated immediate internal controversy at the network, with several high-profile on-air personalities publicly criticizing the decision to bring her aboard as a contributor.

MSNBC host Mika Brzezinski urged NBC to reconsider its decision, while her co-host Joe Scarborough stated he would have "strongly objected" to McDaniel's hiring had he been consulted. Their criticism centered on McDaniel's statements regarding the 2020 election during her time as RNC chair.

NBC's "Meet the Press" host Chuck Todd delivered perhaps the most scathing critique, questioning McDaniel's sincerity and calling on network executives to apologize to current host Kristen Welker for booking an interview with the former RNC chair. The internal pressure proved too much for network leadership to withstand.

Trump and GOP relationship complications

McDaniel had previously served as a loyal Trump supporter, with the president helping her secure the RNC chairmanship in 2016. However, their relationship soured as Republicans underperformed in multiple election cycles under her leadership.

After Republicans failed to achieve the predicted "red wave" in the 2022 midterm elections, calls for McDaniel's resignation intensified from within the party. The pressure reached a breaking point in early 2024 when Trump himself suggested "changes would be made" at the RNC during a Fox News interview.

McDaniel reportedly informed Trump of her plans to step down during a meeting at Mar-a-Lago in February 2024. After her resignation, Trump later mocked her brief NBC career on Truth Social, saying she was stuck in "never Neverland" following her departure from the network.

Michigan political battlefield ahead

McDaniel's return to politics signals her commitment to Republican causes despite the turbulent end to her RNC tenure and failed media experiment. Her focus on Michigan reflects the state's critical importance in national politics.

The former RNC chair appears ready to leverage President Trump's 2024 victory in Michigan as a foundation for future Republican gains in the state. Michigan has been a pivotal battleground, swinging between parties in recent presidential elections.

As head of the Michigan Forward Network, McDaniel will work to advance conservative policies and candidates throughout the state. The organization represents an opportunity for her to rebuild her political influence away from the national spotlight that accompanied her controversial RNC leadership and NBC News fiasco.