Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Politics

Lara Trump Steps Down as RNC Co-Chair, Weighs Potential Senate Run

Lara Trump announced she will step down from her position as co-chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC) as she evaluates several opportunities following the expected return of her father-in-law, President-elect Donald Trump, to the White House. Among the possibilities she is considering is running for Florida’s Senate seat, should Senator Marco Rubio be appointed as the next secretary of state.

In an interview with the Associated Press, Lara Trump confirmed that she would “seriously consider” replacing Rubio if he is confirmed for the secretary of state position. “If I’m being completely transparent, I don’t know exactly what that would look like. And I certainly want to get all of the information possible if that is something that’s real for me,” she said. “But yeah, I would 100% consider it.”

Lara Trump, who was elected as RNC co-chair in March, has played a crucial role in helping Republicans retake the White House, control the Senate, and maintain a narrow majority in the House. Her next move in politics could have a significant impact on the Republican Party, particularly given her high profile and connections to the incoming president.

The idea of a Trump family member holding a Senate seat has gained traction in some GOP circles. Maye Musk, mother of Tesla CEO Elon Musk, has publicly supported the idea. “The Senate is an old man’s club. We desperately need a smart, young, outspoken woman who will reveal their secrets,” Musk posted on X. Elon Musk himself responded positively to the suggestion, calling Lara Trump “genuinely great.”

During her time at the RNC, Lara Trump, along with RNC Chairman Michael Whatley, led an initiative to recruit volunteers and build a legal network aimed at ensuring “election integrity,” a key issue after Donald Trump’s 2020 loss. However, with the party’s election successes, Lara Trump believes she has accomplished her goals in the co-chair role. “With that big win, I kind of feel like my time is up,” she said.

Lara Trump also expressed support for the new initiative led by Elon Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which aims to reform federal agencies, reduce regulations, and streamline government functions. She praised their efforts, calling it “transformative to America in a great way.”

Looking ahead, Lara Trump expects a different dynamic in her father-in-law’s upcoming presidency, noting that no family members, including herself, will take official roles in the White House. “He really wants to get in there and do a good job for the four years, and that’s all he wants to serve,” she said.

Lara Trump also anticipates a more unified Republican Party under her father-in-law’s leadership, adding that the recent merger of the Trump campaign and RNC has reshaped the party, making GOP members more confident in expressing their political views.

Business

Fraudsters are increasingly using AI-generated images and videos to trick people into handing over sensitive personal and financial information, according to FraudSMART, the financial crime awareness initiative operated by the Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI). The organisation has reported a rise in online adverts promoting fake, State-backed investment schemes. These scams often use fabricated images of well-known politicians and business figures to make the offers appear legitimate and encourage users to click on registration links. Niamh Davenport, head of financial crime at BPFI, said scammers are deliberately exploiting recent media coverage of a planned State-backed savings and investment scheme to give their frauds a sense of credibility. “They often claim the scheme is open to everyone, but that places are limited and being ‘snapped up’ fast, in order to pressure people to act quickly,” she said. “They typically promise guaranteed returns or a guaranteed monthly income.” FraudSMART said that while anyone can be targeted, people in their early 50s are particularly vulnerable to investment scams. This age group is often focused on retirement planning, making them more receptive to financial offers that appear secure or high-yield. According to the organisation, most scams follow a similar pattern. Victims are first directed to click a registration link and complete a short online form providing their contact details. They are then contacted by someone posing as a financial adviser, who urges them to make an immediate “security deposit” to secure participation in the scheme. Once a payment is made, the money is quickly moved through multiple accounts, often overseas, making recovery extremely difficult. Davenport warned that scammers are becoming more sophisticated in their use of technology, particularly AI tools that allow them to create realistic but entirely fake promotional content. These materials are designed to mimic legitimate financial advertisements and build trust with potential victims. Recent figures from An Garda Síochána show investment fraud rose by 20% last year, with losses exceeding €20 million. The scale of individual scams varies widely, ranging from smaller crypto-related frauds involving a few hundred euro to large-scale investment schemes where victims lose tens of thousands. FraudSMART is urging the public to remain cautious when encountering online investment advertisements, especially those promising guaranteed returns or requiring urgent action. It also advises consumers to avoid sharing personal information with unverified sources and to be wary of pressure tactics designed to rush financial decisions. Authorities continue to warn that fraudsters are adapting quickly, using advanced digital tools to target victims across multiple platforms.

Trending

Business

Fraudsters are increasingly using AI-generated images and videos to trick people into handing over sensitive personal and financial information, according to FraudSMART, the financial crime awareness initiative operated by the Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI). The organisation has reported a rise in online adverts promoting fake, State-backed investment schemes. These scams often use fabricated images of well-known politicians and business figures to make the offers appear legitimate and encourage users to click on registration links. Niamh Davenport, head of financial crime at BPFI, said scammers are deliberately exploiting recent media coverage of a planned State-backed savings and investment scheme to give their frauds a sense of credibility. “They often claim the scheme is open to everyone, but that places are limited and being ‘snapped up’ fast, in order to pressure people to act quickly,” she said. “They typically promise guaranteed returns or a guaranteed monthly income.” FraudSMART said that while anyone can be targeted, people in their early 50s are particularly vulnerable to investment scams. This age group is often focused on retirement planning, making them more receptive to financial offers that appear secure or high-yield. According to the organisation, most scams follow a similar pattern. Victims are first directed to click a registration link and complete a short online form providing their contact details. They are then contacted by someone posing as a financial adviser, who urges them to make an immediate “security deposit” to secure participation in the scheme. Once a payment is made, the money is quickly moved through multiple accounts, often overseas, making recovery extremely difficult. Davenport warned that scammers are becoming more sophisticated in their use of technology, particularly AI tools that allow them to create realistic but entirely fake promotional content. These materials are designed to mimic legitimate financial advertisements and build trust with potential victims. Recent figures from An Garda Síochána show investment fraud rose by 20% last year, with losses exceeding €20 million. The scale of individual scams varies widely, ranging from smaller crypto-related frauds involving a few hundred euro to large-scale investment schemes where victims lose tens of thousands. FraudSMART is urging the public to remain cautious when encountering online investment advertisements, especially those promising guaranteed returns or requiring urgent action. It also advises consumers to avoid sharing personal information with unverified sources and to be wary of pressure tactics designed to rush financial decisions. Authorities continue to warn that fraudsters are adapting quickly, using advanced digital tools to target victims across multiple platforms.

You May Also Like

Politics

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon announced on Sunday that the United States will send a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery to Israel, alongside...

Health

NEW YORK — Teen smoking in the United States has reached an all-time low in 2024, with significant declines in overall youth tobacco use,...

Politics

WASHINGTON — As the countdown to the November 5 presidential election continues, former President Donald Trump is urging his supporters to aim for a...

Politics

In September, NASA announced that summer 2024 was the hottest on record. Just days later, the U.S. faced the dual impact of Hurricanes Helene...