Ivanka Trump, Devastating the Nation, Says She Won’t Run for U.S. Senate in 2022

When Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner decided to leave their lives in New York to go work for her father in Washington, they made an unintentionally hilarious agreement that after amassing political power via nepotism, they wouldn’t fight over who would be the next one in the family to run for president—she’d be the one to do it. Many things have changed since the couple struck that pact between themselves, though having any sort of experience that might actually qualify them for higher office wasn’t one of them. Instead, as you might have heard, Ivanka’s dad incited a fascist coup in an attempt to overthrow the U.S. government, undertaken by people the former first daughter addressed as “American patriots,” before trying to furiously backtrack. And apparently having uncharacteristically read the room, Ivanka has decided that now is not the right time to take the first step in a series of steps that she believes will lead to her becoming the U.S.’s first woman president.

Bloomberg reports that earlier this month, Ivanka called Marco Rubio to let him know that she does not plan to run against him when his seat is up in 2022, according to people familiar with the matter. After reportedly dropping $30 million on a plot of land on a Miami island known as “Billionaire’s Bunker,” there was speculation that she would primary Rubio, or perhaps lay the groundwork for a run at the governor’s mansion, the latter of which would require seven years residency. Asked last month about the possibility of a challenge by Donald Trump’s daughter, Rubio told Fox News’ Chris Wallace, “I like Ivanka, and we worked very well together on issues,” before trailing off and pivoting to a list of things he’s done for the people of Florida since 2010. Pressed on the issue by Fox Business’s Neil Cavuto, Rubio said “All of us are elected, every single one of us can be primaried, every single one of us can have a primary challenge. I’m not the owner of the Florida senate seat.”

Speaking to The New York Times, a spokesman for Rubio confirmed that the lawmaker “did speak with Ivanka a few weeks ago” and that she “offered her support” for his reelection, adding that “they had a great talk.” 

Elsewhere, other Trumps are apparently choosing to sit the next election cycle out, per Bloomberg:

Trump’s oldest son, Donald Trump Jr., also doesn’t plan to run for any office in the next election cycle, though he’s aware of suggestions that he pursue a Senate seat from Pennsylvania or Montana or move to Wyoming to challenge Republican Representative Liz Cheney, people familiar with his plans said. Cheney, daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, voted to impeach the former president and was censured by her state Republican Party amid demands for her resignation.

One family member may still dip into politics. Lara Trump, who is married to Trump’s son Eric, has seriously considered seeking public office and hasn’t made up her mind about running for the open Senate seat in North Carolina that will be vacated by retiring Senator Richard Burr, people familiar with her plans said. Two people close to the family said they doubt she files the paperwork to run. A North Carolina native, Lara is planning a move to Florida, people familiar with her thinking said. But Lara, who has two young children, hasn’t ruled out a Senate bid, and could still buy a house in North Carolina, one person said.