Trump Picks Daughter-In-Law Lara Trump For North Carolina Senate Seat
Donald Trump on Tuesday floated his daughter-in-law Lara Trump as a possible replacement for U.S. Senator Thom Tillis, who will not seek reelection in North Carolina after clashing with the U.S. president over his tax-cut and spending bill.
"Somebody that would really be great is Lara," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One as he returned from a trip to Florida.
"She grew up there, but they live in Florida," Trump said. "She's a great person, Lara Trump. I mean, that would always be my first choice. But she doesn't live there now, but she's there all the time."
The North Carolina seat is seen as one of the few competitive Senate races in the 2026 midterm elections, when control of both chambers of Congress will be at stake.
Tillis was one of just three Republicans to vote against Trump's signature bill, which passed on Tuesday by the narrowest of margins. It now goes back to the House of Representatives for possible final approval.
Tillis cited concerns over how the proposed legislation's cuts to the Medicaid healthcare program for lower-income Americans could impact his constituents. His objection to the bill angered Trump, who said he would consider supporting challengers to Tillis before the incumbent announced he would not seek another six-year term.
Lara Trump, who is married to Donald Trump's son Eric, is a native of North Carolina and served as co-chair of the Republican National Committee in the lead-up to the 2024 election.
She weighed a bid to replace Senator Marco Rubio of Florida when he left Congress to become Trump's secretary of state, but ultimately decided against being considered. Earlier this year, she joined FOX News Channel and hosts the weekly show "My View with Lara Trump."
While the Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives is considered up for grabs next year, Democrats face an uphill battle in trying to reclaim a Senate majority.
Republicans hold a 53-47 edge, and all but two Republicans who were up for election - Tillis and Susan Collins in Maine - are in states that Trump carried easily in the 2024 presidential election. Trump won North Carolina by 3 percentage points in the 2024 election.
Former U.S. Representative Wiley Nickel is the most prominent Democrat who had announced a run against Tillis. Party leaders have been hoping that former Governor Roy Cooper, who remains popular in the state, will jump into the race.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
16 minutes ago
- Time of India
‘I ran with it': Elon Musk regrets wielding chainsaw at CPAC; says ‘it lacked empathy'
Elon Musk (AP) US President Donald Trump's former ally Elon Musk , the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla has on Wednesday expressed his regret over wielding a chainsaw at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), that he attended earlier this year. Musk was announced as a speaker at that event and had met with Argentine President Javier Milei who had frequently appreciated Musk. The chainsaw became a symbol for the federal budget being slashed beyond recognition. Earlier today Musk had posted on X, 'Hitting the debt ceiling is the only thing that will actually force the government to cut waste and fraud. That's why the debt ceiling legislation exists!' Replying to a comment on the post that said that Musk shouldn't have 'taken the chainsaw on stage and acted a fool' and could have 'gotten more done' if he was not concerned about 'looking cool', Musk responded 'Valid point. Milei gave me the chainsaw backstage and I ran with it, but, in retrospect, it lacked empathy.' At the event, Musk was welcomed with huge cheers and he appeared on stage with a hat that read 'Make America Great Again', as reported by AP. The Argentine leader then took the stage holding a red chainsaw and passed it onto Musk Engraved onto it was the slogan 'Viva la libertad, carajo,' which is the Spanish for 'Long live liberty, damn it.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo Trump and Musk are embroiled in a dispute over the Trump administration's 'Big Beautiful Bill.' Trump claimed that without taxpayer funding, Musk wouldn't have been able to build electric cars, launch rockets, or run satellite services. The US president issued a warning earlier today through a post on Truth Social that the Tesla and SpaceX CEO might have to 'head back home to South Africa' without the financial support of federal subsidies. ' Our country would save a FORTUNE' Trump wrote on a post on Truth Social. 'Perhaps we should have DOGE take a good, hard, look at this? BIG MONEY TO BE SAVED!!!' he added. To this Musk responded on X 'So tempting to escalate this. So, so tempting. But I will refrain for now.'
The Hindu
17 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Congress slams Modi govt over Pakistan's UNSC presidency, calls it 'diplomatic setback'
The Congress on Wednesday (July 2, 2025) slammed the PM Modi-led government for 'failing to prevent Pakistan' from assuming key positions in the United Nations, calling it a 'major diplomatic setback for India'. Pakistan on Tuesday said that it assumed the Presidency of the UN Security Council for the month of July. The presidency of the Security Council — the world body's power centre — is part of Pakistan's two-year term as a non-permanent member of the UNSC, which began in January 2025. In addition, Pakistan will chair the Taliban Sanctions Committee and serve as vice-chair of the UN Counter-Terrorism Committee. Speaking to reporters here, Congress general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala said, "the terror state of Pakistan has now been made the global security broker. The devil is now in the chair." Pakistan, "a terror state with a proven record of harbouring terrorists, promoting terrorism, and exporting terror to India" was being elevated to global leadership positions, even as India continues to face terror attacks sponsored by it, he said. "This happened just weeks after the Pahalgam terror attack, which was Pakistan-sponsored," Mr. Surjewala alleged, questioning the Modi government's "silence and inaction". He claimed Pakistan's elevation came "despite all the bravado on foreign policy" displayed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, who, he alleged, had failed to rally global support to prevent this outcome. 'Repeated violations' Citing a specific instance, Mr. Surjewala pointed out that Pakistan assumed the vice-chair of the UN Counter-Terrorism Committee on June 4, 2025, despite its repeated violations of international resolutions on terrorism. "What are the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister, and India's Permanent Representative to the UN doing," he asked. He also criticised the government for failing to protest when Pakistan, allegedly backed by China, blocked India's proposal to designate Abdul Rauf, a known anti-India terrorist, as a global terrorist in the same Counter-Terrorism Committee. "The same Pakistan becomes vice-chair of the Counter-Terrorism Committee, and the Government of India raises no objection," Mr. Surjewala claimed. He also lamented the 'decline' of India's traditional diplomatic ties. "Our old and trusted allies, relationships built by the Congress across the world, in Asia, and our neighbourhood have been alienated. Today, we are isolated. Even smaller nations like the Maldives, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka no longer stand with us." "Diplomacy requires more than photo-ops and optics," he said.
Time of India
18 minutes ago
- Time of India
Can Sean Diddy Combs escape prison in sex trial? Trump's unexpected move might flip US rapper's case
As a verdict looms in disgraced US rapper Sean 'Diddy' Combs' criminal trial and the world edges closer to discovering his fate, one person could pardon him from his potential crimes -i.e. US President Donald Trump. Sean Diddy's five charges range from racketeering to sex trafficking, and he's pleaded not guilty and denied any and all wrongdoing. The jury has decided on four of the charges but remains hung on the racketeering count. If convicted, Diddy faces a possible death sentence. But Donald Trump holds the power to pardon Diddy, who has the authority to clear him as he did for Todd and Julie Chrisley, reports The Irish Star. Trump commented on the potential for a pardon back in May. ALSO READ: 25 million Americans at risk? Trump's most shocking deportation call targets US citizens as he sets bizarre conditions What Trump said on pardoning Sean Diddy Combs? The current president has the power to absolve Diddy and he shared his thoughts on the possibility. On May 30, during a press conference, a journalist asked Donald Trump, "You mentioned once in 2012 that Diddy was a good friend of yours back then. He has since found himself in some very serious legal trouble. Would you ever consider pardoning him?" Trump replied, "Nobody's asked, but I know people are thinking about it," and added, "Some people have been very close to asking." Live Events Trump elaborated, "First of all, I'd look at what's happening. And I haven't been watching it too closely, although it's certainly getting a lot of coverage. I haven't seen him, I haven't spoken to him in years." Trump also spoke about his friendship about Sean Diddy Combs noting, "He used to really like me a lot, but I think when I ran for politics, that relationship busted up from what I read. I don't know, he didn't tell me that, but I'd read some nasty statements in the paper all of a sudden." ALSO READ: US rapper Kanye West's WW3 album crosses line? 'Heil Hitler' track title sends global shockwaves "It's different, you become a much different person when you run for politics, and you do what's right. I could do other things, and I'm sure he'd like me, and I'm sure other people would like me, but it wouldn't be as good for our country. Like we said, our country is doing really well because of what we're doing. It's not a popularity contest," he elaborated. The president concluded, saying, "I would certainly look at the facts. If I saw someone was mistreated, whether they liked me or don't like me, it wouldn't have any impact." The jury deliberating on Diddy's case is set to continue their discussions tomorrow, July 2, focusing on the racketeering charge. ALSO READ: Elon Musk to be deported? Trump's bold warning raises explosive questions about Tesla CEO's future Sean Diddy hit with new lawsuit The controversial rapper has been hit with a fresh lawsuit as Edmond Laurent, a former model and actor who once appeared in Britney Spears and Lil' Kim music videos, is suing Combs and several Jane and John Does. The actor has accused them of assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence and sexual battery as well as civil conspiracy and aiding and abetting. The Dominica native who moonlighted as an exotic dancer under the name 'Islander' is seeking $10 million, reports The Variety. ALSO READ: Trump finally breaks silence on Elon Musk's deportation and his explosive answer will shock you The 32-page complaint filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court, chronicles a series of alleged incidents that took place in the late 2000s at a swath of luxury hotels in the Los Angeles area including The Intercontinental in Century City, SLS in Beverly Hills and the Mondrian in West Hollywood. According to the lawsuit, Laurent was drugged and raped by Combs and a mystery woman, who purposefully punctured a condom with her nails and exposed the plaintiff to a sexually transmitted infection. The complaint states that he suffered severe health issues including stomach cancer as a result of the alleged abuse. Sean Diddy Combs is currently detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., and is awaiting the jury's verdict in a criminal trial on federal charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution.
