Michael Whatley (born 1968 or 1969)[1] is an American politician and lawyer who has served as chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC) since March 2024.

[2] Whatley began working in Republican Party politics when he volunteered on the 1984 reelection campaign of U.S. senator Jesse Helms while he was a sophomore at Watauga High School.

[4][5] In 2007, Whatley became a partner at lobbying firm HBW Resources, and in 2008 he became executive vice president for the Consumer Energy Alliance; he held the position until 2019.

[6][7] In 2016, Whatley helped Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump campaign and organize rallies in North Carolina.

[10] Following the United States Capitol attack on January 6, 2021, Whatley refused to blame Trump, saying that only those who participated in the riots bear responsibility.