Lara Trump Drops Political Bombshell After President’s Snub

Lara Trump attends a White House signing event in July 2025. The president’s daughter-in-law stunned observers by announcing on July 24, 2025 that she will not run for the U.S. Senate seat in North Carolina. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), she wrote that “after much consideration and heartfelt discussions… I have decided not to pursue the United States Senate seat in North Carolina at this time.” The announcement came just hours after reports that President Donald Trump had decided to endorse RNC Chair Michael Whatley for the open seat, effectively ending speculation that Lara Trump would be his preferred candidate.

President Trump Endorses Whatley

Until recently, Lara Trump had been widely seen as the likely Republican nominee after Sen. Thom Tillis announced he would not seek reelection. But in the past week, multiple outlets reported that President Trump decided to back RNC Chair Michael Whatley instead. Politico confirms that Whatley “will run for Senate in North Carolina and will have the blessing of President Donald Trump” now that Lara has opted out. Insiders say Trump initially asked Lara to consider the race earlier this year, but ultimately shifted his support to Whatley, who has strong ties to party donors and state Republican leadership. Axios notes that Whatley is expected to formally announce his campaign within the next week or so. In her announcement, Lara Trump emphasized her continued commitment to “Making America Great Again” and said she looks forward to “the future, wherever that leads,” signaling she may remain active in politics even as she steps aside.

Whatley, 57, previously led the North Carolina GOP and was elected RNC co-chair in 2024. Republicans praise his fundraising network and loyalty to the Trump agenda as major strengths for the campaign. With Lara Trump out of the race, party leaders believe Whatley’s entry will unite Republicans and avoid a divisive primary. According to reports, Trump will also soon announce a replacement for Whatley as RNC chair when he formally launches the Senate bid.

Competitive North Carolina Race

North Carolina is widely seen as one of the most competitive Senate battlegrounds for 2026. Democrats are preparing to nominate former two-term Gov. Roy Cooper, who is expected to announce his Senate campaign imminently. With Cooper in the race, Democrats aim to flip the seat, especially since incumbent Sen. Tillis (a Trump critic) retired after clashing with the former president over a major spending bill. Lara Trump’s connection to President Trump would have made her a formidable candidate in this swing state, so Republican strategists are turning to Whatley’s experience as a counterweight. Analysts note that with a narrow 53–47 GOP majority in the Senate, both parties will pour resources into North Carolina in 2026. The contest now appears set to be a high-profile match-up of Roy Cooper versus Michael Whatley.

Key Takeaways

• Lara Trump’s announcement: On July 24, 2025, Lara Trump declared she will not pursue the North Carolina Senate seat.

• Presidential endorsement: President Trump opted to endorse RNC Chair Michael Whatley for the open seat, leading to Lara’s withdrawal.

• Candidates: Michael Whatley is expected to run as the Republican nominee, while former Gov. Roy Cooper is poised to enter the Democratic primary.

• Race significance: North Carolina’s Senate race is a top battleground in 2026. Lara Trump’s ties to the President would have given Republicans a boost, but Democrats are optimistic about flipping the seat given the state’s competitive history.

In her statement, Lara Trump said her “passion for Making America Great Again burns brightly,” suggesting she remains devoted to the MAGA movement even as she steps aside from this race. For now, the North Carolina Senate contest promises to be one of the marquee matchups of the 2026 midterm elections, with both parties gearing up for a hard-fought battle over the open seat.