Donald Trump just won a second term in office. But the chaos is setting in.
Because this Trump family news has surprised the nation and now a huge decision needs to be made.
Lara Trump Abandons Florida Senate Bid Amid DeSantis’ Lack of Support
Lara Trump, the daughter-in-law of former President Donald Trump, has officially withdrawn her bid to become Florida’s next U.S. senator. Her decision follows a lack of endorsement from Governor Ron DeSantis, who plays a critical role in selecting the replacement for the outgoing Senator Marco Rubio.
Rubio, who will vacate the Senate seat next year following his nomination as the next U.S. Secretary of State, opened the door for a highly anticipated race to fill his position. Lara Trump, who has no previous experience holding elected office, had publicly expressed her desire to take up the seat, saying she would “love” to represent Florida in the Senate. However, she had been viewed by many as a long shot, particularly due to DeSantis’ reluctance to support her candidacy.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Trump shared her decision to step back from the race, explaining, “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 added that she would be making a “big announcement” in January, hinting at a new political direction.
The 42-year-old former co-chair of the Republican National Committee had hoped to gain traction with DeSantis, who holds significant influence in Florida politics. A source close to the governor told the Wall Street Journal that DeSantis was “taking Mrs. Trump’s bid seriously” but was “likely” to endorse another candidate. DeSantis, who is responsible for selecting Rubio’s successor, had recently made it clear that he was leaning toward backing someone with more experience in Florida politics, such as Attorney General Ashley Moody.
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.
I could not have been more honored to serve as RNC co-chair during the most high-stakes election of our… https://t.co/ARdvTQki9N
— Lara Trump (@LaraLeaTrump) December 21, 2024
Lara Trump’s move to Florida, alongside her husband Eric Trump, was strategic. The couple relocated from New York to an upscale gated community in South Florida three years ago, fueling speculation that she would seek a political career in the state. However, her path to the Senate was hampered by lingering tensions between DeSantis and her father-in-law, Donald Trump.
Just days before Lara Trump’s announcement, former President Trump cast doubt on her chances of securing the Senate seat. When asked whether he thought his daughter-in-law would succeed in her bid, he answered, “I don’t. I probably don’t, but I don’t know… Ron is doing a good job. It is his choice, nothing to do with me.”
The Trump family’s political aspirations have often been intertwined with DeSantis’ own career. In fact, speculation arose earlier this year that Donald Trump was considering DeSantis for a cabinet role, specifically as his defense secretary, despite their heated rivalry during the Republican presidential primaries. In a move that hinted at a potential political quid pro quo, some speculated that DeSantis might appoint Lara Trump to the Senate seat if he were to take a cabinet position. However, President Trump ultimately backed Pete Hegseth for the position, putting those rumors to rest.
The relationship between Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis has been complicated, especially after their bitter fight for the Republican presidential nomination this year. Donald Trump frequently referred to DeSantis as “Ron DeSanctimonious” and “Tiny D” during the contest, heightening tensions between the two. This rivalry undoubtedly made Lara Trump’s Senate aspirations even more difficult to achieve, as DeSantis’ support was seen as essential for a successful candidacy.
The process by which governors appoint senators has long been a source of controversy, with critics arguing that it is prone to political maneuvering and abuse. In 2011, former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was convicted of attempting to sell Barack Obama’s Senate seat after Obama’s presidential election victory, highlighting the potential for corruption in such appointments.
With Lara Trump stepping aside, the focus now shifts to who will take up the mantle as Florida’s next senator. Given DeSantis’ influence, figures with strong political pedigrees like Ashley Moody are seen as frontrunners in the race to replace Rubio. For now, Lara Trump’s political future remains uncertain, with her January announcement set to provide more clarity on her next move.
There remains a ton of interest in who Donald Trump will pick given that the U.S. Senate will have a fairly thin Republican majority for the incoming President Trump to work with. Ron DeSantis does not always see eye-to-eye with Donald Trump, so his pick may be a more traditionally conservative or libertarian one as opposed to one that will pledge full, total allegiance to the Trump administration and its agenda.
The Conservative Column will bring you any breaking news about the soon vacant U.S. Senate seat from Florida.
