Trump offers surprising verdict on whether daughter-in-law Lara will become Florida senator
Donald Trump praised the “incredible job” his daughter-in-law Lara has done, saying he did not expect Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to nominate her to a seat in the US Senate.
Trump himself creates the expected vacancy through his decision to nominate Senator Marco Rubio as Secretary of State.
That gives Florida’s governor an important and politically charged decision on who to appoint to fill the seat — with Lara saying she would “seriously consider” the post.
“Ron will have to make that decision,” Trump said. “He will make the right decision,” he added, without specifying what that was.
Trump spoke at Mar-a-Lago during his first press conference since his election victory in November.
He asked whether he expected DeSantis to appoint his daughter-in-law.
“No, I don’t know, probably not, but I don’t know,” was Trump’s response.
“Ron is doing well and it’s his choice — it has nothing to do with me,” said Trump, who defeated DeSantis in the primaries and occasionally ridiculed his defeat before bringing him in as a campaign backer.
He certainly didn’t hesitate to talk about his daughter-in-law’s talents after she co-chaired the Republican National Committee during a cycle in which Trump captured battleground states and Republicans seized control of the Senate and retained the House.
“Lara is incredible,” Trump said. “She is so highly respected by women. Even her workout routines are through the roof. She lifts 150 pounds. I don’t know how she does it,” he said, smiling.
President-elect Donald Trump said he does not expect his daughter-in-law Lara to be appointed to the Senate. But he talked about her abilities
Lara Trump, 42, who is married to Eric Trump, has shown off her toned physique and fitness regime and shared some of her secrets online.
While he praised Lara, Trump acknowledged arguments against her candidacy — that she could get the job through her family connection to him, and that she is from North Carolina and only changed her hometown in recent years.
‘It’s funny, people often talk about cronyism. I never had that – when I put her there people were like, ‘How did you get her to do it?’ Trump said, praising her role at the RNC.
“You know, she could have run for Senate in North Carolina,” he added, praising her talents.
Trump has not disputed reports that he spoke to DeSantis about Lara. DeSantis said Monday that he had received ‘There is strong interest from several potential candidates, and we continue to gather names of additional candidates and conduct preliminary investigations.”
Rubio and Florida Sen. Rick Scott have each spoken about Lara Trump’s capabilities — with an appointment that would further expand Trump’s influence in the House. Leaders and supporters have already almost fully supported his nominees and even back his push for recess appointments.
Newly elected President Donald Trump’s attempt to have his daughter-in-law Lara Trump appointed to the Senate receives support from Senate Republicans
Rubio himself told DailyMail.com that he believes Lara Trump has what it takes to become a member of the Senate. “Yes,” he said. And he said there is nothing inappropriate about Trump fishing on behalf of his daughter-in-law.
‘Why wouldn’t that be the case? He lives in Florida and has also been elected president. If he has an opinion about who it should be, he should share it,” Rubio said.
DeSantis had been floated as a potential candidate for defense secretary if Trump’s pick, Pete Hegseth, falters. But Hegseth has gained momentum despite the battle after Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) said she now supports the “process” to confirm him.