WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Tuesday said his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, would be his “first choice” to run to replace North Carolina Republican Sen. Thom Tillis, days after he announced his retirement amid a public spat with the president. 

At the same time, the president noted his daughter-in-law, who is married to Trump’s son Eric, doesn’t currently live in the state, speaking to questions about her potential eligibility. 

”Somebody that would really be great is Lara, she grew up there,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One when asked who he would want to take Tillis’ place. 

The president specifically praised her leadership when she served as co-chair of the Republican National Committee in the lead-up to the 2024 election as well as the weekly show she currently hosts on Fox News. He pointed to his daughter in-law's knowledge of the Tar Heel State, despite noting that she and his son have a “very good life” in Florida.

“She’s a great person, Lara Trump. I mean, that would always be my first choice,” he said. “But she doesn’t live there now but she’s there all the time, her parents are there, you know, she really knows North Carolina well.” 

The qualifications and terms of service to serve in the U.S. Senate requires “residency in the state a senator represents at time of election.” The president didn’t clarify, however, if his comments on her Florida residency meant she may not be eligible or that she may not want to leave the Sunshine State. 

Trump also said he believed there may be a North Carolina representative in the House who decides to seek the seat. 

Asked if he had spoken to his daughter-in-law about the prospect of her running yet, Trump said no, adding it’s “so soon” before going on to celebrate Tillis’ retirement from the seat amid the pair's feud. 

“I had it out with this guy two nights ago and he resigned, which I was happy about,” Trump said of the two-term North Carolina Republican. 

For her part, Lara Trump expressed an openness to the possibility in an appearance on Fox News Radio on Monday, saying it is “absolutely” something she would consider if the timing works for her family. She noted timing was an issue for two other opportunities she had to run for Senate seats in North Carolina and Florida. 

One North Carolina Republican in the House, Rep. Pat Harrigan, already took to X to promote the president's daughter-in-law for the seat should she run. 

"There's lots of excitement around the 2026 Senate race, but let me be crystal clear about something: if @LaraLeaTrump enters this race, I'll be the first to endorse her and the first to fight for her victory," he wrote.

Tillis announced on Sunday that he would not seek another term representing the Tar Heel State, considered a presidential battleground, in the Senate in what is expected to be a high-profile race in next year’s midterm election. 

The decision to retire from the seat he has held for more than 10 years came as he faced Trump’s ire for voting against advancing the massive tax and spending bill the president considers key to his agenda. The president blasted Tillis for the move on social media and called for him to be challenged in the primary election in the upcoming midterms. 

Tillis has continued his criticism of the legislation, dubbed the “one, big, beautiful bill” by Trump, over the changes it makes to Medicaid and the subsequent impact he says it will have on North Carolina. He voted against it again on Tuesday when the upper chamber ultimately passed it. 

Tillis’ exit has added another layer to a race that is expected to be one of a few competitive seats that will help determine which party controls the Senate after the 2026 midterm elections. Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority and sent Trump's agenda bill back to the House on Tuesday on a 50-50 tie broken by Vice President J.D. Vance.

The state’s other senator, Sen. Ted Budd, also a Republican, got Trump’s backing in 2022 and won his primary race by more than 30 percentage points. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.