Lara Trump Rules Out Senate Role but Hints at a Surprise

Lara Trump, the former co-chair of the Republican National Committee, shared on social media that she is no longer pursuing the possibility of replacing Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who is expected to be appointed as secretary of state under her father-in-law’s administration.

In a post on X, Lara Trump—married to Eric Trump, the son of President-elect Donald Trump—left a cryptic remark about what lies ahead.

“After an incredible amount of thought, contemplation, and encouragement from so many, I have decided to remove my name from consideration for the United States Senate,” she stated.

She expressed gratitude for her time with the RNC, saying, “I could not have been more honored to serve as RNC co-chair during the most high-stakes election of our lifetime, and I’m truly humbled by the unbelievable support shown to me by the people of our country, and here in the great state of Florida. I have read so many of your kind messages, and I cannot thank you enough.”

Lara then teased, “I do have a big announcement that I’m excited to share in January, so, stay tuned.”

She also reaffirmed her dedication to public service: “I remain incredibly passionate about public service and look forward to serving our country again sometime in the future. In the meantime, I wish [Florida] Governor [Ron] DeSantis the best of luck with this appointment.”

Lara Trump had been considered a strong contender to fill Rubio’s seat, a move anticipated to follow his confirmation as the Trump administration’s top diplomat.

Her decision to step aside could ease the selection process for Governor DeSantis, who has faced scrutiny over reports that President-elect Trump urged him to appoint Lara Trump. According to The Wall Street Journal, sources revealed that Trump recently pressed DeSantis to consider Lara for the position.

At 42, Lara Trump has already made waves in politics, resigning from her RNC co-chair role, which she took on earlier this year while playing a pivotal part in her father-in-law’s re-election campaign.

“I would say that my track record speaks for itself. Maybe having the last name Trump is just a little bit extra. I’m always happy to have it,” she remarked on Fox News. Lara and Eric Trump relocated to Florida three years ago, and she has previously explored running for Senate in North Carolina, her home state, The Wall Street Journal added.

“It is something I would seriously consider,” she mentioned in a recent interview with The Associated Press.

DeSantis, who has the authority to appoint Rubio’s temporary replacement until a special election in 2026, is reportedly weighing multiple candidates, including Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody. While some believe selecting Lara Trump could help mend relations between DeSantis and the president-elect, others point to the governor’s independent streak as a factor in his decision-making.

The fallout from DeSantis’ challenge to Trump for the GOP presidential nomination included heated exchanges over loyalty and qualifications, with Trump critiquing DeSantis’ campaign and legal challenges. Despite this, some insiders suggest that appointing Lara Trump has shifted from an unlikely idea to a potential reality.

DeSantis is expected to announce his decision in early January.