"Nepotism anyone?" - Martina Navratilova shares her feelings about Donald Trump's daughter-in-law Lara Trump’s potential senate appointment

Tennis legend Martina Navratilova has voiced her disapproval of reports that Lara Trump, the daughter-in-law of President-elect Donald Trump, may be appointed as a U.S. senator. Navratilova succinctly expressed her disdain for the perceived nepotism, reigniting her ongoing criticism of the Trump political dynasty.

The potential appointment of Lara Trump has been a hot topic, with various political figures weighing in. Supporters argue that Lara's experience and loyalty to the Trump administration make her a suitable candidate. However, detractors, including Navratilova, see this as another example of the Trump family's overreach in political matters.

The buzz began after reports surfaced that Florida Senator Marco Rubio may leave his seat to serve as Secretary of State in the Trump administration, pending Senate confirmation. If Rubio steps down, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will appoint an interim senator until the 2026 special election.

Speculation suggests that Lara Trump, who recently resigned as co-chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC), is among the top candidates for the role. Her departure from the RNC has fueled these rumors, particularly given her familial ties to the President-elect.

Navratilova, a long-time critic of Donald Trump, did not mince words. On December 10, 2024, she took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice her disapproval, writing:

"Nepotism anyone?"

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Martina Navratilova critiques Donald Trump’s controversial cabinet selections

Martina Navratilova during the 2024 Laureus World Sports Awards press conference (Image source: Getty)

Martina Navratilova has criticized Donald Trump’s latest cabinet nominations, describing them as promoting an "oligarchy." Trump, who will return as the 47th President in January 2025 after defeating Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, has been unveiling key appointments for his second-term administration.

One of the most contentious picks is David Sacks, a podcaster and former PayPal COO, who was nominated as White House Artificial Intelligence and Crypto Czar. The move drew backlash, with critics citing Sacks’ divisive views on immigration. Navratilova voiced her concerns, predicting a government dominated by a small group of influential figures.

"We will have an Oligarchy cabinet if I ever saw one," Navratilova wrote on X.

Sacks’ nomination follows Trump’s recent decision to appoint his former aide Kash Patel as the FBI Director. Trump’s other high-profile selections include Stephen Feinberg as Deputy Defense Secretary, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy heading the Department of Government Efficiency, Pam Bondi as Attorney General, Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the head of Health and Human Services.

About the author

Shashank, a tennis journalist at Sportskeeda, joined the company about a year and a half ago. Despite his background in software engineering, his passion for the sport drove him to switch gears and dive into full-time journalism before which he worked as a tech writer.

With over 1000 articles and nearly 4 million views under his belt at SK, his stories stand out thanks to his deep dives into match stats, player tactics, and historical patterns, offering readers a fresh take every time. Above all, he is meticulous, making sure to double-check information from reliable sources before sharing it.

In Shashank's view, there's no room for debate: Novak Djokovic reigns supreme as the ultimate GOAT. He draws inspiration from the Serb's resilience, hard work, and relentless attitude, channeling those qualities into his own work.

Outside of his tennis musings, he finds joy in hitting the court himself, exploring new destinations during his travels, and watching movies.

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Edited by Vaishnavi Iyer