Donald Trump’s daughter-in-law Lara Trump to host Fox News show

WASHINGTON - Fox News said on Feb 5 it has hired Mr Donald Trump’s daughter-in-law, Mrs Lara Trump, to be a programme host, an unprecedented move by a family member of a sitting US president.

The 42-year-old former co-chair of the Republican National Committee will host a prime-time show, “My View with Lara Trump,” to air Saturday nights on the Fox News Channel.

Fox News Media chief executive Suzanne Scott called Mrs Trump “a gifted communicator” in a statement announcing her appointment.

“I’m thrilled to bring my voice back to Fox News, talk directly with the American people, and highlight what makes this country so great,” Mrs Trump said, according to the network.

The wife of Mr Eric Trump has hosted her own online series since 2020, and served as a Fox contributor from 2021 to 2022.

Her hiring as a host is evidence of the cosy relationship between Mr Donald Trump and the network that he has favoured for several years.

He recruited from Fox to flesh out his presidential Cabinet, tapping morning show host Pete Hegseth to be secretary of defence and Fox Business Network host Sean Duffy as transportation secretary.

Several members of Mr Trump’s first administration, including press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, now work for Fox.

Presidential relatives have held media positions before, but never has such a close family member simultaneously hosted a television news show.

Ms Jenna Bush Hager joined NBC as a contributing correspondent in 2009, but that was a few months after her father, former president George W. Bush, left office.

And Mr Bill Clinton’s daughter Chelsea worked at NBC News from 2011 to 2014, years after her father’s presidency. AFP