Lara Trump’s Remarks About Larry Hogan Raise Eyebrows

Former President Donald Trump’s daughter-in-law Lara Trump’s comments about U.S. Senate GOP candidate Larry Hogan is drawing criticism from users on social media after she said he “doesn’t deserve the respect of anyone.”

In a Sunday morning interview appearance on CNN’s State of the Union, Lara Trump, the Republican National Committee (RNC) co-chair, was asked by host Kasie Hunt whether the Republican Party would continue to support Hogan’s Senate campaign after he posted a comment on social media that contradicted statements by top GOP leaders.

Prominent Republican policymakers including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Representative Steve Scalise have questioned the former president’s criminal hush money trial’s procedure and motivation, casting doubt on the legitimacy of the U.S. legal system.

Before the verdict in Trump’s trial was announced on Thursday, the former Maryland governor who has been a vocal critic of the former president, wrote on X, formerly Twitter, “Regardless of the result, I urge all Americans to respect the verdict and the legal process. At this dangerously divided moment in our history, all leaders—regardless of party—must not pour fuel on the fire with more toxic partisanship. We must reaffirm what has made this nation great: the rule of law.”

In a case brought forward by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a New York jury on Thursday found Trump, the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records relating to a hush money payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels by Trump’s then-lawyer Michael Cohen shortly before the 2016 presidential election. Daniels alleged she had a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006, which he denies. Trump has maintained his innocence and says the case is politically motivated. His legal team says they will fight the case, which will include an appeal, if necessary.

The former president now faces possible jail time, which will be determined at his July 11 sentencing, just days before the Republican National Convention where he is expected to accept the GOP party’s nomination. He is the first former president to be convicted of felony crimes.

“I don’t support what he just said there. I think it’s ridiculous,” Lara Trump said about Hogan’s post during her CNN appearance.

When pressed by Hunt who again asked if the RNC supports Hogan’s Senatorial bid, the former president’s daughter-in-law responded, “I’ll have to get back to you. He doesn’t deserve the respect of anyone in the Republican Party at this point, and quite frankly, anybody in America.”

Hunt then asked if she is “willing to cede the Senate seat in Maryland to the Democratic Party and not support Larry Hogan?”

“We, of course, we want to win as a party,” Lara Trump said. “But that is a shame and I think he should have thought long and hard before he said that publicly.”

Newsweek has filled out the contact form on the RNC’s website Sunday afternoon to request comment.

Meanwhile, Lara Trump’s Sunday interview drew reaction from users on X.

The Daily Beast reporter Justin Baragona reposted a video of the interview and wrote: “Again, it should be pointed out that she’s talking about a Republican who gives the GOP their best chance at winning a Maryland Senate seat — and potentially a Senate majority.”

Hogan served eight years as a Republican governor of Maryland, despite the state’s Democratic lean. He is running for the seat soon to be vacated by Democratic Senator Ben Cardin. An Emerson College poll published last month shows Hogan trailing behind Democratic candidates Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks by about 10 points and Representative David Trone by 11 points.

The poll was conducted between May 6-8, among 1,115 registered voters in Maryland. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.9 percentage points. Among Democrats, the sample was 462 registered voters, with a margin of error of plus or minus 4.5 percentage points.

In a CNN appearance on Sunday, New Hampshire Republican Governor Chris Sununu told Hunt that “of course” he respects Hogan, adding “that was a bad statement from Lara without a doubt.” He also reaffirmed that Republicans “want him [Hogan] to win the Senate race” and that “he’s a great guy.”

Sara Spector, a Midland, Texas, criminal defense lawyer, wrote in an X post, “Lara Trump tells Kasie Hunt that Larry Hogan doesn’t deserve the respect of the Republican Party because he made a statement saying he respects the jury verdict! She is the current Republican National Chair. Hogan is the Republican nominee for Senate in Maryland.”

Peter Henlein, a self-described political junkie, wrote: “There you have it folks. The Co-chair of the RNC, Lara Trump, is going to withhold support for viable candidates if they don’t worship Trump sufficiently. Saying nice things about Trump matters more than the GOP winning the senate. Larry Hogan represents a once in a lifetime opportunity for the GOP to pick up a seat in Maryland. Hogan won’t win on a MAGA platform. He can’t win talking about how awesome Trump is.”

He added: “But now that Trump’s daughter-in-law runs the RNC, that type of obvious reality doesn’t matter. What is best for the party doesn’t matter. Only what is best for the Trump family matters.”