You probably recognize the name by now. In the sprawling, often chaotic world of American politics and high-society headlines, Lara Trump has carved out a space that is entirely her own. She isn't just a spouse standing in the background of a campaign photo; she has become a central gear in the Trump political machine. But if you're asking who is Eric Trump’s wife, the answer depends on which version of her life you’re looking at.
Is she the former TV producer from North Carolina? The fitness-obsessed triathlete? Or the high-powered former co-chair of the Republican National Committee? Honestly, she’s all of those things.
From Wilmington to the West Wing
Lara Lea Yunaska was born in Wilmington, North Carolina, back in 1982. She grew up with the ocean nearby, raised by a shipbuilder father and a family that was socially conservative but not necessarily the kind of folks who lived and breathed D.C. politics. She went to North Carolina State University, graduated with honors, and eventually made her way to the French Culinary Institute in New York.
Wait, a pastry chef? Yeah, actually.
Before the rallies and the cable news hits, Lara was a personal trainer and a story coordinator for Inside Edition. She was a normal professional living in New York City when she met Eric Trump in 2008. They were out with mutual friends at a nightclub. She’s 5'11", he’s 6'5"—basically, they didn't exactly blend into the crowd. Lara has joked in interviews that she didn't even know Eric’s last name when they first started talking. She just thought he was a tall, nice guy.
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They dated for six years before he proposed at the family’s Seven Springs estate in Westchester. Their wedding in 2014 was a massive affair at Mar-a-Lago, but it almost went south. Two weeks before the ceremony, Lara had a horse-riding accident and broke both of her wrists. She showed up to her own wedding with bandages under her Vera Wang gown. Donald Trump reportedly loved the grit she showed. He’s always been big on "optics," and seeing his daughter-in-law push through an injury like that supposedly made a huge impression on him.
The Political Metamorphosis
Everything changed in 2016. When Donald Trump announced he was running for president, the family business shifted from real estate to the White House. Lara found herself on a tour bus, leading the "Trump-Pence Women’s Empowerment Tour." She was a natural. While some family members seemed a bit stiff on the stump, Lara was fluid and sharp. She eventually became a senior adviser for the 2020 campaign and a staple on Fox News.
By early 2024, she wasn't just an adviser anymore. Her father-in-law endorsed her to lead the Republican National Committee (RNC) as co-chair. She took the job on March 8, 2024, promising that "every single penny" would go toward electing Donald Trump.
It worked.
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She helped pull in hundreds of millions of dollars, specifically leaning into the "MAGA" base. But politics is a fickle game. On December 9, 2024, she resigned from the RNC. There was a lot of chatter that she might be appointed to fill Marco Rubio’s Senate seat, but she ended up withdrawing her name from that particular race.
Life in 2026: The Fox News Era and Beyond
So, where is she now? As of early 2026, Lara Trump has pivoted back to the media world, though she’s kept one foot firmly in the political door. In February 2025, she debuted her own show on Fox News called My View with Lara Trump. It was a historic move—the first time a family member of a sitting (or recently re-elected) president hosted a regular cable news program.
Just this month, in January 2026, she was spotted at the 1 Billion Followers Summit in Dubai. She was talking about the "diminished trust in legacy media" and the rise of independent content creators. She’s become a bridge between the old-school political establishment and the new-age digital influencer world.
She and Eric still live in Westchester, New York, though they spend plenty of time at Mar-a-Lago. They have two kids:
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- Eric "Luke" Trump Jr., who is now 8 years old.
- Carolina Dorothy Trump, who is 6.
When she isn't on camera, she’s a huge animal welfare advocate. She works with rescue organizations and is often seen with her two rescue dogs, Charlie and Ben. She’s also a triathlete. You’ll frequently see her posting about her workouts or competing in races. It’s that high-energy, "always-on" personality that has made her such a force within the Republican party.
What Most People Miss About Her
A lot of people think she was just "handed" a career because of her last name. While being a Trump obviously opens doors, those who work with her say she’s a workhorse. She produces her own content, manages her own podcast (The Right View), and has a surprisingly deep understanding of voter data.
She also isn't afraid of a fight. Whether she’s defending the 2024 election results or calling out "fake news," she leans into the controversy rather than running from it. That’s probably why her father-in-law trusts her so much. In his words, she’s a "tough cookie."
Actionable Takeaways for Following the Trump Family
If you want to keep up with what Lara Trump is doing next, here is how you should track her:
- Watch the Midterms: Since she warned about disinformation ahead of the 2026 midterms, watch her Fox News show for clues on which candidates the Trump family is actually backing.
- Follow the RNC Money: Even though she's no longer co-chair, the "Swamp the Vote" initiatives she started are still the blueprint for the current GOP strategy.
- Monitor the Senate: Don't count her out for future political office. She passed on the 2025 appointment, but her name always comes up when a seat in North Carolina or Florida opens up.
Lara Trump has moved from the sidelines to the center stage. She’s a media personality, a political power broker, and a mother. Above all, she is the most visible defender of the Trump legacy in 2026.