Lara Trump is stepping down as co-chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC), fueling speculation about her future political ambitions, The Associated Press reports.
The announcement comes as President-elect Donald Trump prepares for his second term, and Lara Trump is reportedly weighing several options, including a potential run for the US Senate.
Elected RNC co-chair in March, Trump played a key role in the Republicans’ recent electoral victories, helping the party regain control of the White House and Senate while maintaining a narrow House majority. Her next move is expected to significantly impact Republican politics given her high profile and close ties to the incoming president.
One potential avenue is replacing Florida Senator Marco Rubio, who Trump nominated as Secretary of State. If confirmed, Rubio’s Senate seat would be filled by an appointee chosen by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, creating an opening that has attracted considerable attention. The idea of a Trump family member filling the seat has received support from some within the Republican party, including Maye Musk, mother of Elon Musk.
During her tenure, the RNC, under Chairman Michael Whatley and Lara Trump’s leadership, invested heavily in volunteer recruitment (about 30,000) and legal support for its “election integrity” efforts. However, outside groups played a larger role in advertising and voter mobilization.
Lara Trump cited the completion of her goals as co-chair as her reason for stepping down. She also praised Elon Musk’s new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a nongovernmental task force focused on federal workforce reductions, program cuts, and regulatory reforms as part of Trump’s “Save America” agenda.
Trump indicated she does not anticipate any Trump family members serving in the White House this time, unlike the previous administration where Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner held advisory roles. She expressed confidence in a more unified Republican party under Trump’s leadership, suggesting potential challenges for GOP lawmakers who oppose Trump’s agenda.
