Rachel Maddow Theorizes Trump May Install Family as Successors

MS NOW host Rachel Maddow has proposed a theory that Donald Trump may seek to have one of his children succeed him in power, aiming to safeguard family wealth and avoid potential legal repercussions.

Maddow explained on “The Poynter Report Podcast” that leaders exhibiting authoritarian tendencies often enter a "kleptocratic phase" where they enrich their families significantly during their time in office. She posited that such leaders understand that their time in power is finite and that maintaining family wealth and freedom requires a successor from within the family.

"It could be that father-of-five Trump dies in office or he gets turfed out somewhere," Maddow said. "But to the extent that he’s trying to build family wealth, and he’s got his son-in-law and each of his sons, and I guess Barron too, all on this kleptocratic train. If he wants them to not end up in jail or prosecuted or having their all-gotten gains investigated and potentially taken over, he’s got to make sure that the next president is also a Trump."

She drew a parallel to dictatorships worldwide where the sons of rulers often assume power. Maddow suggested that such a move by Trump would likely require force, as she doesn't anticipate widespread public support for any of his children to be elected president.

While Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are currently considered potential frontrunners for the 2028 Republican presidential nomination, Maddow’s theory suggests a scenario where Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, Eric Trump, Tiffany Trump, or even Barron Trump could be put forward as candidates.