Annapolis, Maryland – Lara Trump, the co-chair of the Republican National Committee and daughter-in-law of former President Donald Trump, criticized former Maryland governor Larry Hogan for urging Americans to respect the verdict in the former president’s hush money trial. Hogan, who is seeking a Senate seat in Maryland, one of the GOP’s prospects to regain control of the chamber, faced backlash from Lara Trump after his comments on the trial’s outcome.
During an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Lara Trump, who was recently appointed as the co-chair of the Republican Party, along with Michael Whatley, expressed her disapproval of Hogan’s stance. Hogan had previously called for the public to respect the legal process and verdict, emphasizing the importance of upholding the rule of law and avoiding further division through partisan conflicts.
In response to Hogan’s statement, Lara Trump labeled it as “ridiculous” and stated that he does not deserve the respect of any Republican or American for voicing such opinions. When asked if the RNC would withdraw financial support for Hogan’s Senate campaign due to his remarks, Lara Trump did not provide a direct answer but emphasized her belief that Hogan’s comments were inappropriate for a member of the Republican Party leadership.
Chris LaCivita, a senior adviser to Trump’s presidential campaign, also criticized Hogan for his statements, suggesting that Hogan’s campaign may suffer as a result. Hogan, a former governor known for his bipartisan approach in a predominantly Democratic state, needs to attract voters to replace Sen. Ben Cardin (D) and aid the GOP in winning control of the Senate.
The Democrats currently hold a slim majority in the Senate, with several key seats up for contention in the upcoming elections. Hogan faces opposition from Angela Alsobrooks, the Democratic primary winner and county executive of Prince George’s County. In her CNN interview, Lara Trump hinted that Hogan’s attempt to downplay reactions to the trial verdict might not resonate well with voters, implying a shift in fundraising support towards Trump and the Republican Party following the verdict.
Citing a significant spike in donations to Trump and Republicans immediately after the verdict, Lara Trump highlighted the strong response from the American people, indicating their dissatisfaction and vocal opposition. While there was no verified data on the fundraising figures, Lara Trump emphasized the swift and robust reaction from supporters as a testament to the sentiments of the American public.