In a recent interview with Ben Meiselas, co-founder of the left-leaning media outlet MeidasTouch, Michael Cohen, former lawyer and fixer for Donald Trump, revealed that the former president had a longstanding dislike for his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump. Cohen's revelation comes in light of Trump's endorsement of Lara for the position of co-chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC).

During the interview on the Political Beatdown podcast, Cohen stated that Trump had despised Lara for "many, many years." He shared that Trump initially opposed his son Eric's marriage to Lara and had even identified someone else working at the Trump Organization as a potential match for Eric. Cohen added that not only did Trump mock Lara's appearance, but Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump also joined in the mockery, indicating their shared dislike.

Cohen, who had previously served prison time for campaign finance violations and other offenses related to the 2016 campaign, clarified that he was not intending to be malicious when referring to Lara as "an idiot." He emphasized that the focus should be on the fact that the RNC is meant to represent all Republicans running for office and not solely cater to Trump's interests.

The news of Trump's endorsement of Lara Trump as RNC co-chair came on Monday when he also expressed support for Michael Whatley, the RNC general counsel and chair of the North Carolina Republican Party. Trump praised Whatley's commitment to election integrity, considering it crucial to prevent fraud in future elections.

The Independent has reached out to the Trump campaign for comment on Cohen's claims.

Lara Trump, who married Eric Trump in 2014 at Mar-a-Lago, has been actively involved with the RNC for years and has gained recognition as a skilled fundraiser. Her potential endorsement as co-chair would not only align with Trump family influence but also give them insight into the party's resource allocation.

While RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel is set to leave her post after the South Carolina Republican primary, the party rules dictate that one man and one woman serve as co-chairs of the committee. Discussions have reportedly taken place within Trump's circle regarding the endorsement of Eric's wife for one of these positions. Notably, Lara Trump had been considering a run for the U.S. Senate in North Carolina in 2021.

Ronna McDaniel has faced mounting pressure in recent months as some of Trump's loyalists raised concerns about the RNC's finances ahead of the upcoming general election campaign. Despite disagreements regarding the Republican primary debates, where Trump's challengers were featured but not the former president himself, McDaniel has remained cordial with Trump. However, the former president has recently indicated a desire for change at the RNC.

The 2024 campaign is expected to further intertwine the Trump team with the RNC, as it did in 2020 when significant responsibilities were handed over to the committee. The New York Times noted the potential for the Trump team to completely absorb the committee during the next election cycle.

As the situation unfolds, the prospect of Lara Trump's appointment as RNC co-chair raises questions about the direction the party will take under the Trump family's influence and its implications for the Republican Party as a whole.