Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis have a complex relationship. It’s only getting more complicated as each day passes.
And Republicans are in shock after Trump just said this one thing about Ron DeSantis.
President-elect Donald Trump made it clear on Monday that he doesn’t anticipate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis selecting his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, to fill the soon-to-be vacant Senate seat in the Sunshine State.
Speaking during a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago residence, Trump dismissed the speculation surrounding Lara, saying, “No, I don’t,” when asked if he expected DeSantis to pick her.
Still, the incoming president added, “But I don’t know. Ron’s doing a good job, that’s his choice — nothing to do with me.”
While Trump downplayed the possibility, he offered glowing praise for his daughter-in-law, calling her “unbelievable” and a figure deeply respected among women. He even touted her impressive fitness abilities: “She lifts 150 pounds. I don’t know how the hell she does it.”
The vacancy in question emerged after Trump recently tapped Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) to serve as secretary of state, setting off speculation about who might fill Rubio’s seat. Lara Trump’s name quickly rose to the forefront, especially after she stepped down last month as co-chair of the Republican National Committee.
Trump has pushed back against accusations of nepotism, insisting that Lara earned respect on her own merits. “Ron is gonna have to make that decision — and he’ll make the right decision,” Trump said.
He acknowledged her broad appeal, adding, “Lara’s got so many other things. People want her to be on television. They want to give her a contract. You know her predominant thought is our country and her family.”
The renewed focus on Lara Trump comes as DeSantis weighs his options. The Florida governor, who cannot run for re-election in 2026 due to term limits, faces mounting scrutiny over the optics of his decision.
Some political observers speculate he could appoint a temporary placeholder to keep the seat open for himself in the future. Such a move isn’t unprecedented — former Gov. Charlie Crist attempted a similar maneuver in 2009, though Marco Rubio ultimately defeated him.
Lara Trump, for her part, has embraced her name and reputation. In a recent interview with Fox News, she noted, “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.”
Both Lara Trump and her husband, Eric Trump, changed their residency to Florida about three years ago, adding to speculation that she could pursue a Senate seat there. Rumors also swirled about her potential candidacy for North Carolina’s Senate seat in 2022.
For his part, DeSantis has publicly stated that he wants a senator who will align with Trump’s agenda. In a statement, he said he’s seeking someone “who will help President Trump deliver on his election mandate, be strong on immigration and border security, take on the entrenched bureaucracy and administrative state” while also being a strong conservative voice.
The governor has indicated that his decision will come early next month. “We have already received strong interest from several possible candidates, and we continue to gather names of additional candidates and conduct preliminary vetting,” DeSantis stated on Monday.
He added that deeper vetting and interviews would take place in the coming weeks, with a final decision expected by the start of January.
Meanwhile, Trump’s staffing process for his incoming administration has already pulled several sitting lawmakers into key roles, potentially shrinking the Republican majorities in Congress.
Among them is Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), who will soon become vice president, leaving Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine tasked with naming Vance’s temporary replacement.
While Lara Trump’s future in politics remains uncertain, her proximity to both the president-elect and Florida’s political landscape ensures she will remain a prominent figure in the conversation.
Stay tuned to The Federalist Wire.
