By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-12-16 18:21:46 | Updated at 2024-12-16 20:55:36
2 hours ago
Donald Trump talked up the 'unbelievable job' his daughter-in-law Lara has been doing even as he said he didn't expect Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to appoint her to a seat in the U.S. Senate.
Trump himself is creating the expected vacancy through his decision to nominate Sen. Marco Rubio to be secretary of state. That gives the Florida governor an important – and politically charged – decision over who to appoint to fill the seat – with Lara saying she would 'seriously consider' the post.
'Ron’s going to have to make that decision,' Trump said. 'He’ll make the right decision,' he added, without specifying what that decision was.
Trump began by fielding a question at Mar-a-Lago during his first press conference since his November election win about whether he expected DeSantis to appoint his daughter-in-law.
'No I don’t, I probably don’t, but I don’t know,' was Trump's answer.
'Ron’s doing a good job and it’s his choice – nothing to do with me,' said Trump, who defeated DeSantis in the primaries and occasionally ridiculed his defeat before bringing him in as an endorser of his campaign.
He certainly didn't hold back from talking up his daughter-in-law's talents, after she co-chaired the Republican National Committee during a cycle where Trump swept the battleground states and Republicans seized control of the Senate and kept the House.
'Lara’s unbelievable,' 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 the hell 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 up her capabilities
Lara Trump, 42, who is married to Eric Trump, has showed off her muscular physique and fitness regimen, sharing some of her secrets online.
Even while praising Lara, Trump acknowledged arguments against her candidacy – that she might get the job through her family connection to him, and that she hails from North Carolina and only switched residency in recent years.
'It's funny, people oftentimes talk about nepotism. I never had – when I put her there, people said, "How did you get her to do it?"' Trump said, praising her role at the RNC.
'You know, she could have run for the Senate in North Carolina,' he added while hailing her talents.
Trump hasn't disputed reports that he spoke to DeSantis about Lara. DeSantis said Monday he had received 'strong interest from several possible candidates, and we continue to gather names of additional candidates and conduct preliminary vetting.'
Rubio and Florida Sen. Rick Scott have each talked up Lara Trump's capabilities – with an appointment that would elevate Trump's influence in the chamber even further. Leaders and rank and file members have already offered nearly complete support for his nominees and even gotten behind his push for recess appointments.
President-elect Donald Trump's push to get his daughter-in-law Lara Trump appointed to the Senate is drawing support from Senate Republicans
Rubio himself told DailyMail.com he believes Lara Trump has what it takes to join the Senate. 'I do,' he said. And he said there isn't anything inappropriate with Trump angling on his daughter-in-law's behalf.
'Why would it not be? He’s a resident of Florida on top of being the president-elect. If he has an opinion on who it should be he should share it,' Rubio said.
DeSantis had been floated as a potential nominee for Secretary of Defense if Trump's pick Pete Hegseth were to falter. But Hegseth has gained momentum despite being embattled after Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) said she is now supporting the 'process' to confirm him.
