Former President Donald Trump, 77, might be known as the Republican party’s resident “kingmaker,” but a new report said that his oldest son is becoming a “behind-the-scenes power broker” in the GOP too.
“There are two endorsements that every candidate wants,” Republican strategist Alex Bruesewitz told Axios. He said that Donald Trump Jr.’s seal of approval is almost as coveted as his father’s, adding that the 46-year-old businessman is “certainly seen as a leader,” in the party. Others have said he represents the next generation of Republicans.
According to YouGov polling, Trump Jr. polls as the fifth most popular business leader. His fame is estimated at 95%, his popularity is estimated at 41% and he is disliked by an estimated 39% of people polled.
“Trump Jr. typically doesn’t get ahead of his father in endorsing candidates,” said the Axios report. “But his interviews with those he endorses often are shared by those candidates.”
Axios said that Trump Jr. has been focused on getting more MAGA-aligned candidates elected to the Senate. Currently, the chamber is controlled by a slim majority of Democrats but the outlet said Republicans have a good chance of flipping it in November.
One person who Trump Jr. has put his weight behind is Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), 39. He’s encouraged his father – the presumptive GOP presidential candidate in the upcoming election – to pick Vance as his vice president.
“With the exception of his dad, I’m not sure I’ve seen anyone who has a stronger natural connection to our base,” Vance said.
Other politicians Trump Jr. has supported include Bernie Moreno of Ohio, who is challenging Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) and Montana Senate candidate Tim Sheehy, who is challenging Democratic Sen. Jon Tester. Trump Jr. recently attended the inauguration of Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, Audacy reported.
Still, the senior Trump’s endorsement is a big deal for Republicans. He often offers these endorsements through posts on his Truth Social app, where Trump also offers criticism of political opponents.
“Trump Jr. is like his father in some ways: He enjoys trash-talking on social media and campaigning, but isn’t as attracted to the day job of governing that would come with running for and winning public office,” said Axios.
Earlier this year, Audacy reported that Trump Jr. came “under fire for a series of posts he made mocking former first lady Michelle Obama during the Super Bowl,” and referenced a conspiracy theory that she is a transgender woman.
This week, Newsweek also reported on Trump Jr.’s comment about his brother Eric’s pants in a video at their family winery.
“I know it’s Pride Month, but wtf bro? He deleted but like a good brother I have receipts. And please comment on Eric’s pants!” Trump Jr. wrote on his Instagram story.
According to Axios, it isn’t clear if Trump Jr. plans to run for office himself one day.
“I’m not going to say no,” he told an Iowa voter, adding that if he did and then ended up running, people would call him a liar.
It appears that he does enjoy at least a little public influence with his “Triggered” podcast on Rumble. A person familiar with Trump Jr.’s social media strategy said that he plans to expand the show beyond its current two-episode-per-week schedule. He has previously utilized the show to reveal that his X account was hacked and that a post declaring his father had died was fake, per an Audacy report.