Lara Trump Blasts Larry Hogan for Disrespecting GOP Values

Republican National Committee co-chair Lara Trump has slammed ex-Maryland Governor and Republican Senate nominee Larry Hogan, accusing him of "not deserving the respect" of the GOP.

Republican National Committee co-chair Lara Trump has launched a scathing attack on Republican Senate nominee Larry Hogan, accusing him of "not deserving the respect" of the party.

Trump's broadside came in response to Hogan's recent call for Americans to "respect the verdict and the legal process" regardless of the outcome of former President Donald Trump's criminal trial.

Speaking on CNN, Trump said Hogan's comments were "ridiculous" and that anyone who fails to speak up against the "trial that would never have been brought against any other person aside from Donald Trump" does not deserve respect.

"He doesn't deserve the respect of anyone in the Republican Party at this point, and quite frankly, anybody in America, if that's the way you feel," Trump declared.

Trump's remarks have raised eyebrows given the significance of the Maryland Senate race to the GOP's hopes of winning the Senate majority in the 2024 congressional elections. Hogan, a moderate Republican, was elected to two terms as governor, serving from 2015 to 2023. His victory in the Senate GOP primary turned what was viewed as a likely Democratic hold this year into a competitive general election race.

Maryland hasn't voted for a Republican presidential candidate since 1988 and hasn't elected a Republican U.S. Senator since 1980.

Trump's criticism of Hogan underscores the deep divisions within the Republican Party over Trump's legacy and the future direction of the party. Hogan has been critical of Trump and said earlier this year he wouldn't vote for him in 2024.

Trump was found guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree on Thursday after two days of jury deliberations in New York. The charges were related to a hush money payment to Stormy Daniels, who says she was paid to remain silent about a sexual encounter she had with Trump in 2006, which Trump denies.

Hogan's call for respecting the verdict has been echoed by other Republicans, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. However, many Republicans, including Trump himself, have denounced the verdict as a "witch hunt" and a political persecution.

Trump's acquittal on a federal obstruction of justice charge in 2020 has emboldened his supporters, who see the latest conviction as further evidence of a deep-seated bias against him within the justice system.

The upcoming general election in Maryland could provide a test of whether Hogan's moderate stance or Trump's continued influence holds sway among voters. The outcome of the race could have implications for the balance of power in the Senate and the future of the Republican Party.