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Donald Trump has four women 'competing for spot' to 'fill Melania vacuum'

First Lady Melania Trump has been largely absent from the political scene, but four women are reportedly "competing to fill the vacuum" left by the First Lady in her absence

[US President Donald Trump, left, and First Lady Melania Trump during a military Mother's Day event in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. The US and Iran were circling around a fresh proposal to end the war on Wednesday, as President Donald Trump searches for an exit from a conflict that has spiked energy prices and damaged his political standing. Photographer: Yuri Gripas/Abaca/Bloomberg via Getty Images]

Donald Trump, left, and First Lady Melania Trump during a military Mother's Day event(Image: Bloomberg, Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Donald Trump reportedly has four women waiting in the wings, "competing to fill the vacuum" left by his wife, Melania. Melania's limited political presence has sparked headlines in recent weeks, with commentators noting her absence from public appearances compared with other first ladies, including Michelle Obama and Laura Bush.

She is also said to rarely spend time at the White House, instead dividing her days between Florida and New York. Even so, the President may not be short of "ladies-in-waiting" ready to step into the limelight beside him, with claims there are four potential candidates - all from within the Trump family.

In a special episode of the Daily Beast podcast, host Joanna Coles and writer Nell Scovell explored the lives of the four Trump women and how they might step in alongside the family patriarch, whom Nell described as "Big Daddy".

Joanna said: "Now, Nell and I are going to get into the four women competing to fill the vacuum in Trump's life."

[Tiffany Trump, Ivanka Trump and Arabella Kushner react as U.S. President Donald Trump attends UFC 327]

Tiffany Trump, Ivanka Trump and Arabella Kushner react as U.S. President Donald Trump attends UFC 327(Image: Getty Images)

Nell said: "Look, nature abhors a vacuum, right? And there's currently a five-foot, 11-inch vacuum right next to Donald Trump. In the first term, he was usually flanked by either Melania or his daughter Ivanka. They're both AWOL, right?"

"Melania is reportedly living in two different towers. There's Trump Tower, and then supposedly she lives in a tower at Mar-a-Lago."

She claimed that the First Lady "wasn't around that much" during his first term, with his daughter, Ivanka Trump, stepping into her shoes. Ivanka, who has since stepped back from politics, held the position of Advisor to the President and kept an office in the White House.

Nell stated: "Today, we're going to look at the contenders to fill that void. They are Lara Trump, Kai Trump, Bettina Anderson Trump - the newest Trump - and Tiffany Trump. It's not just Donald who has an insatiable need for attention.

"Like, these women do, too. So right now there's a competition. There's like an arms race."

[Lara Trump at "The ABC News Presidential Debate: Race for the White House"b]

Lara Trump at "The ABC News Presidential Debate: Race for the White House"(Image: Variety via Getty Images)

Lara Trump

At 43, Lara is a US political figure, married to Eric Trump, Donald's son, and mother to their two children. Joanna alleges that Lara has been seeking roles in the US Senate "here, there and everywhere".

However, she does present a TV programme on Fox called "My View with Lara Trump", where she conducts "in-depth interviews with the men and women who make this country great".

Reportedly, Lara is the "most interested" in politics out of the four and had been planning a 2022 Senate bid in North Carolina, but Donald wouldn't "give her his endorsement".

[US media personality and Donald Trump's granddaughter, Kai Trump]

US media personality and Donald Trump's granddaughter, Kai Trump(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Kai Trump

Kai, aged 19, is the daughter of Donald Trump Jr and his former wife, Vanessa; known for playing golf with her grandfather,. Donald Trump Sr, she has also dipped her toe into politics after delivering a speech at the 2024 Republican National Convention.

Kai, who frequently offers glimpses into her life on her massively popular YouTube and TikTok accounts, is set to attend the University of Miami, where she's due to play golf.

Analysing a video of Kai delivering her speech, Joanna described her as a "very pretty" member of the Trump family and observed that she had "good vibes" with the audience.

[Donald Trump Jr. and Bettina Anderson attend Michael Rubin's 2025 Fanatics Super Bowl Party]

Donald Trump Jr. and Bettina Anderson attend Michael Rubin's 2025 Fanatics Super Bowl Party(Image: Getty Images for Fanatics)

Bettina Anderson Trump

Recently married to Donald Trump Jr, Bettina Anderson Trump is a US socialite and model who's adorned the cover of Quest magazine and featured in a photoshoot for Hamilton Jewelers.

Regarding her relationship with Donald Snr, Nell says she "came out of the gate hot", referring to a gushing social media post in honour of Father's Day. In the post, she was seen alongside her husband and the POTUS.

She expressed that she was surrounded by his children and grandchildren, highlighting how it was a "beautiful reminder of what matters most...faith, family, love and legacy".

Bettina continued to describe how she was "so grateful" for these shared moments and for the "joy of watching generations gathered around a father, grandfather and leader" who "continues to give so much".

[Donald Trump stands with daughter Tiffany Trump after he delivered his acceptance speech]

Donald Trump stands with daughter Tiffany Trump after he delivered his acceptance speech(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Tiffany Trump

Tiffany Trump, 32, is Donald Snr's fourth child and only offspring with second wife Marla Maples. She holds a Bachelor's degree in sociology and attended the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D. C.

Married to business executive Michael Boulos, she campaigned for Trump in 2016 and was "fully in the fold" by 2020. However, Nell suggests Tiffany is perceived "differently" from her siblings.

She says Tiffany didn't grow up "under her father's thumb" and doesn't possess "Ivanka's chops" for public speaking.

Final pick

Joanna wrapped up the video by asking Nell who the most likely contender to "replace" Melania might be. Nell responded: "For now, I would say Lara has the inside edge. The only problem is she's a little bit too thirsty.

"I think Bettina might be a little too smart. Tiffany, I don't see it." As for Kai, Nell says she's not interested in politics, but we'll "see about that".

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