Lara Trump announced that she is stepping down from her role as co-chair of the Republican National Committee and revealed she is open to potentially filling the Senate seat that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will need to appoint if Marco Rubio is confirmed as secretary of state. Rubio’s nomination by President-elect Donald Trump has prompted speculation about his successor.
“It is something I would seriously consider,” Lara Trump, 42, said in an interview with The Associated Press. “If I’m being completely transparent, I don’t know exactly what that would look like. And I certainly want to get all of the information possible if that is something that’s real for me. But yeah, I would 100% consider it.”
Lara Trump, who is married to Eric Trump, the president-elect’s son, is reportedly a strong contender to fill Rubio’s seat. Sources indicate she is among the top candidates being considered by DeSantis, who will ultimately decide Rubio’s replacement should the senator join the Trump administration.
Some of Trump’s close allies, including Elon Musk, co-chair of the incoming “Department of Government Efficiency,” are optimistic about Lara Trump’s potential appointment. Musk’s mother, Maye, expressed her support on X, saying, “The Senate is an old man’s club. We desperately need a smart, young, outspoken woman who will reveal their secrets.”
“Lara Trump is genuinely great,” Musk replied to his mother’s post.
While Rubio is expected to remain in the Senate through part of January, Governor DeSantis is reportedly taking a measured approach to selecting a replacement. His office confirmed that the vetting process would begin soon but emphasized that there is no rush to make a decision.
“The governor will be conducting a thorough vetting process and interview process in December that will involve several candidates,” a spokesperson for DeSantis told NBC News on Nov. 28. “He’s not in a hurry to make an important decision.”
As she prepares to leave her RNC post, Lara Trump expressed satisfaction with her accomplishments in the role, which she has held since March. She explained that the timing feels right for her to step away and explore new opportunities.
“The job I came to do is now complete and I intend to formally step down from the RNC at our next meeting,” she announced on X.
Her departure will leave Michael Whatley, her co-chair, in charge of the organization’s leadership. Lara Trump’s resignation also comes as she considers a broader role in politics, potentially stepping into Rubio’s Senate seat, which is up for appointment until the term expires in 2026.
Other individuals reportedly under consideration by DeSantis include Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd, former Florida House Speaker Jose Oliva, and the governor’s chief of staff James Uthmeier.
{Matzav.com}
