TRUMP AT ‘ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ’: ‘DEPORTATION’ IS THE ONLY WAY OUT FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

Trump, who traveled to Ochopee, Florida, on Tuesday morning to visit the “Alligator Alcatraz” immigration detention facility, briefly addressed the race when asked on the return flight to Washington who he wants to be the Republican nominee. Trump previously vowed to back a primary challenger to Tillis before the latter announced he would not seek reelection next year.

“Somebody that would really be great is Lara. She grew up there,” Trump told the Washington Examiner. “But they live in Florida. They have a very good life, and they’re great people.”

Trump added that his daughter-in-law “did fantastically running the RNC,” which she took over and co-chaired with current Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley during the 2024 campaign cycle. Lara Trump, married to the president’s middle son Eric Trump, now works for Fox News.

“She’s a great person. Lara Trump. I mean, that would always be my first choice, but she doesn’t live there now, but she’s there all the time — her parents — and she really knows North Carolina well,” the president continued.

The president stipulated that he had not spoken to his daughter-in-law about entering the race and predicted that “one of the congressmen would step up” and be the eventual nominee.

WHITE HOUSE PUNTS ON REPUBLICAN CALLS TO DEPORT ZOHRAN MAMDANI

However, Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC), a top name floated as a potential Tillis replacement this week, said Tuesday afternoon that he would not enter the 2026 Senate race.

You can listen to Trump’s comments in full below.