As she weighs her choices with her father-in-law, President-elect Donald Trump, expected to return to the White House, Lara Trump will resign from her position as co-chair of the Republican National Committee.
Replacing Florida Senator Marco Rubio, whom Trump appointed as the next secretary of state, is one of those options. In the event that Rubio is confirmed, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will select the successor for the balance of Rubio’s term, which ends in 2026.
In an interview with The Associated Press, she stated, “I would give it serious thought.” I’m not sure what that would look like if I were being totally open. And if it is something that is real to me, I definitely want to learn as much as I can. However, I would definitely give it some thought.
Lara Trump, who was elected as the RNC co-chair in March, played a significant role in the Republicans’ retake of the Senate and White House while retaining a slim House majority. Given her high political prominence and connections to the incoming president, her future actions could have a significant impact on Republican politics.
In certain Republican quarters, the notion of a Trump family member serving in the Senate has been praised. Maye Musk, the mother of Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, is one of the individuals advocating for her to succeed Rubio.
Eric and Lara Trump watch the second half of an NFL football game between the Miami Dolphins and the New England Patriots, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Image: Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press
The Senate is a club for old men. We desperately need a smart, young, outspoken woman who will reveal their secrets, she posted on X. Lara Trump is 42.
Elon Musk, who was with Lara Trump on election night at Trump s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, responded to his mother s post: Lara Trump is genuinely great.
Four years after Donald Trump lost to Democrat Joe Biden in his reelection bid due to unsubstantiated or erroneous claims of voter fraud, the RNC made significant investments in assembling an army of lawyers and about 230,000 volunteers for what it dubbed its election integrity effort, under the leadership of Lara Trump and chairman Michael Whatley. Outside groups such asTurning Point ActionandMusk s America PACtook a greater responsibility for advertising and get-out-the-vote efforts.
While Whatley will remain RNC chairman, Lara Trump said she felt she had accomplished her goals in the co-chair role.
With that big win, I kind of feel like my time is up, she said. What I intended to do has been done.
Lara Trump praised Musk s new endeavor, theDepartment of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, a nongovernmental task force headed by Musk and and fellow entrepreneurVivek Ramaswamy. They ve been tapped tofire federal workers, cut programs and slash federal regulations as part of Trump s Save America agenda for his second term.
I really don t think we ve seen movement like this in our federal government since our country s founding in many ways, she said. And I think if they are successful in what they plan to do, I think it is going to be transformative to America in a great way.
She said she expects a different presidency this time, beginning with the structure of the administration: While Trump s daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner served as White House advisers in his last administration, Lara Trump said she doesn t see any family member taking any position in the White House this time around with her father-in-law.
He really wants to get in there and do a good job for the four years, and that s all he wants to serve, she said. Four years, and he s out.
Lara Trump also says she expects the Republican Party to be more unified than it has ever been. When she became co-chair in May, the Trump campaign and the RNC merged, with staffers fired and positions restructured. She said the result could spell trouble for GOP lawmakers who do not agree with Trump s agenda.
The whole party has totally shifted and totally changed, she said. I think people are feeling a little more bold in coming out with their political views.
___
Linderman reported from Baltimore and Mendoza from Santa Cruz, California.
Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!