Former RNC co-chair Lara Trump has revealed her decision on whether she will seek a Senate bid in North Carolina.
President Donald Trump’s daughter-in-law issued the announcement on social media, but it wasn’t what her fans had in mind.
During her tenure as co-chair of the Republican National Committee, many believed that Lara would continue her influence in politics and begin a so-called Trump dynasty by running for the Senate in her home state of North Carolina.
However, it appears that the ex-RNC official will not run for the Senate and will instead endorse RNC chairman Michael Whatley for the position.
“After much consideration and heartfelt discussions with my family, friends, and supporters, I have decided not to pursue the United States Senate seat in North Carolina at this time,” Lara said on social media.
“I am deeply grateful for the encouragement and support I have received from the people of my home state, whom I love so much,” she added.
Sources said that Lara will presumably support Whatley if and when he announces his decision to run for the Senate, claiming that the president supports him for the role.
“The president feels Whatley has earned his shot,” a source told Politico.
Whatley could likely announce his Senate bid next month, meaning that Trump would have to announce his replacement at the RNC.
Trending Politics pointed out that Democrats are keeping their eye on North Carolina in the 2026 midterms.
“They’ve cited the recruitment of former Gov. Roy Cooper, an affable state leader who managed to receive bipartisan support in most polls through the end of his tenure this past January,” the outlet reported.
Since departing the RNC, Lara has gone on to launch a rather successful show on Fox News.
In February, she launched “My View With Lara Trump” and has even begun releasing her own music, according to the Daily Beast.
Whatley’s forthcoming decision to run for the Senate comes after North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis (R) announced last month that he would not seek reelection.
Tillis faced hefty backlash from the “MAGA” movement after opposing the Trump-backed “One Big Beautiful Bill.”
A source told NBC News that Whatley would be a formidable candidate in the Senate race since the president already trusts him.
“Whatley’s got the national fundraising profile, and the president already likes and trusts him,” the source told the network.
The Democratic Party didn’t take news of Whatley’s Senate plans lightly, claiming that the RNC chair has a “toxic agenda.”
“Michael Whatley’s sales pitch to the people of North Carolina is ripping away their health care, taking food off their tables, and driving their state into debt to give more handouts to billionaire donors. His tenure as the chair of the North Carolina Republican Party was a complete disaster. Not only did he drive the party into debt, but he also propped up failed, extremist Republican candidates like Mark Robinson,” the party claimed.
“Now, Whatley is heading back to North Carolina to sell Trump’s budget betrayal that took health care away from more than 650,000 North Carolinians and spiked costs for working families. Trump and Whatley’s toxic agenda will hang around Whatley like an albatross,” it added.
