GOP Trump critics are bracing for Donald Trump Jr. to step into his father's shoes


Sorry, Eric — it looks like Donald Trump Jr. is the son Republicans believe will follow in their father's political footsteps.
HuffPost reports that while many senators are thought to be eyeing the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, including Ted Cruz of Texas, Josh Hawley of Missouri, and Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Trump Jr. appears to be the favorite, despite having zero experience in the political realm prior to his dad's presidency or even saying that he wants to run.
Trump Jr. gets the loudest cheers at events, like at a February rally where the crowd chanted "46!" when he took the stage. "I'd vote for him in a second," Lou Woodward, a New Hampshire resident and supporter of President Trump, told HuffPost. "If he's anything like his father, he'll be fantastic." Trump Jr. has also managed to bring in a lot of money for the Republican Party amid the pandemic, headlining several virtual fundraisers.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The idea of a President Donald Trump Jr. is "bad," John Ryder, a former high-level Republican National Committee member, told HuffPost. "The American public is not attracted to dynasties. I think that would be very, very difficult to make that case to the American people." Rick Wilson, a GOP consultant and Trump critic, told HuffPost that is wishful thinking. "This is the dawn of the age of the imperial Trumps," Wilson said. "He is going to say, 'Donald J. Trump Jr., my son and heir, is the only one who can continue in my footsteps.' They are a dynastic political force now. It's douchebag dynasty of the Trump family."
If Trump is re-elected in November, the GOP will truly become the party of Trump, Republican consultant Stuart Stevens told HuffPost, and he believes that in 2024 "Don Jr. would be the favorite for the nomination." Wilson agreed, and said even Republicans who have fallen lockstep behind Trump won't be able to compete against his eldest child. "It's a hideous landscape of wannabes who will be posting up against the son of God," he said. "Just see what happens. It's a family-centric cult."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
Why UK scientists are trying to dim the Sun
In The Spotlight The UK has funded controversial geoengineering techniques that could prove helpful in slowing climate change
By Abby Wilson
-
Gandhi arrests: Narendra Modi's 'vendetta' against India's opposition
The Explainer Another episode threatens to spark uproar in the Indian PM's long-running battle against the country's first family
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK
-
How the woke right gained power in the US
Under the radar The term has grown in prominence since Donald Trump returned to the White House
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK
-
Musk vows DOGE pullback as Tesla profits plunge
Speed Read The Tesla SEO says he will soon step back from government matters to devote more time to the company
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
IMF sees slump from tariffs, Trump tries to calm markets
Speed Read The International Monetary Fund predicts the U.S. and global economies will slow significantly due to the president's trade war
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
DHS chief Kristi Noem's purse stolen from eatery
Speed Read Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's purse was stolen while she dined with family at a restaurant in Washington, D.C.
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Trump stands by Hegseth amid ouster reports
Speed Read The president dismissed reports that he was on the verge of firing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over a second national security breach
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Hegseth reportedly shared war plans in 2nd group text
Speed Read The defense secretary sent information about an attack in Yemen to a Signal group chat that included his wife and brother
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Judge threatens Trump team with criminal contempt
Speed Read James Boasberg attempts to hold the White House accountable for disregarding court orders over El Salvador deportation flights
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Biden slams Trump's Social Security cuts
Speed Read In his first major public address since leaving office, Biden criticized the Trump administration's 'damage' and 'destruction'
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
El Salvador refuses to return US deportee
Speed Read President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador said he would not send back the unlawfully deported Kilmar Ábrego García
By Peter Weber, The Week US