Red Flags In Lara And Eric Trump's Marriage From Our Matchmaker
Historically speaking, members of the Trump clan don't have the greatest romantic track record. The man himself, Donald Trump, is on his third marriage, and the health of his current partnership with Melania has drawn its fair share of speculation. Then, there's Donald Trump Jr. On top of Don Jr.'s first failed marriage, who could overlook his recent, high-profile split from MAGA talking head Kimberly Guilfoyle (and all of her inappropriate outfits)?
But there's one Trump couple that, surprisingly, doesn't draw much attention on the marriage front. Eric and Lara Trump have been together since 2008 and married for more than a decade. Though their lives have radically changed since then, there's been little chatter about discord at home, which seems like a miracle for celebrities. But is Eric and Lara's union really as solid as it seems?
To find out, Glam spoke exclusively to Susan Trombetti, matchmaker and CEO of Exclusive Matchmaking. Based on her extensive experience, Trombetti thinks that Eric and Lara have set themselves up with a decent foundation. "There seems to be a lack of anything scandalous, which is great for this couple," Trombetti begins. However, that doesn't mean their partnership is all smooth sailing. From career complexities to the pressures of life in the public eye, Trombetti sees a few red flags that require thoughtful management from the conservative icons.
Lara Trump has made sacrifices for her husband's family
Everyone has personal dreams and aspirations, and many of us occasionally set those goals aside for the good of our loved ones, whether that means picking up more hours to support the family's lifestyle or moving cities for a spouse's new job. However, the Trumps take this to another level. While their intertwined, all-in-this-together mentality isn't unprecedented, it is a pretty extreme case of mixing business with family. "Some wives' careers take a backseat to their husband's careers. In this case, they all take a backseat to Donald Sr. to support him," matchmaker Susan Trombetti exclusively tells Glam.
When it comes to Eric and Lara Trump, Trombetti notes, "Lara Trump has put her career on hold at times to support the Trump family and the campaign." One notable example is Lara's previous career in television, where she spent years as a producer on shows like "Inside Edition." Despite her individual success, Lara gave up her TV job to work on Donald Trump's first presidential campaign in 2016 — and her deep involvement in the Trump political machine has only grown since then, including a crucial stint as co-chair of the Republican National Committee.
That said, Lara has also benefited from all of this hard work. Besides the president's tendency to hand out appointments to allies and family members, life in the Trumps' spotlight has given Lara enough clout to find her way back to TV with her own show on Fox News, "My View with Lara Trump."
The Trump agenda may intrude on Eric and Lara's relationship
One could argue that Donald Trump's political career has simultaneously made and broken Lara Trump's individual job path. But whether Lara herself sees this as a good or bad thing, there's no question that the Trump presidency tends to suck in the entire family, like some kind of media black hole. Then, there are the president's many court battles, which have included indictments for everything from bribery to election interference. The media circus surrounding each trial has been extreme, and the Trump family, including in-laws like Lara, have been expected to show up in support of their patriarch. For instance, the Trump children hosted a 2024 press conference protesting accusations that Donald had paid out hush money to cover up an affair. Not only did Eric Trump deliver a speech, but so did Lara, showing just how much energy the couple puts into family-wide goals.
In some cases, having such a close-knit family unit could be a good sign, but Susan Trombetti reminds us that married couples also need to focus on their own connection for long-term success. Unfortunately, Trombetti thinks the Trumps' focus on political office and public solidarity could eclipse the private, inner world that Lara and Eric should share as spouses. "The presidency is a family affair. ... It's all hands on deck during the campaigns and the trials," she exclusively tells Glam. "It leaves me wondering if there is time for them, and what they want as a couple."
The Trump family may be overwhelming as in-laws
Whatever you think about Donald Trump, the man is certainly larger than life, drawing attention everywhere he goes. This might translate to an equally intrusive presence in Eric and Lara Trump's marriage. As Susan Trombetti observes, "Eric Trump does seem to have his father looming as a major figure in their marriage." Talk about a third wheel. Who wants their wedded bliss constantly, inextricably overshadowed by a parent (even one who's rich, famous, and president)?
And the potential overwhelm doesn't stop there. Donald may be the star that the rest of the Trump clan orbits around, but he's not the family's only big personality. This could equal some social claustrophobia when the whole gang gets together, especially since so many are constantly traveling in the same circles and involved in the same professional or political projects. "The family could be too close for comfort and overwhelming at times," matchmaker Susan Trombetti exclusively tells Glam. "Just think of any couple that might be annoyed by their in-laws and who need to set boundaries."
There are a few things to do when dealing with a partner's overbearing family, like doubling down on communication and practicing assertiveness. However, that could get tricky for someone like Lara, whose in-laws are all busy, wealthy, and probably used to getting their own way. To keep this red flag from becoming a real sticking point, Eric needs to be present in his wife's corner, helping protect the integrity and space bubble of their own immediate family.
Eric and Lara Trump are under constant media scrutiny
As if the pressures of ever-present in-laws weren't enough, the Trump clan's fame and notoriety mean that Eric and Lara Trump are also subject to ongoing media attention. From planned public appearances to relentless ogling from the paparazzi, Eric and Lara have a lot to contend with. Unfortunately, this could place serious strain on their relationship. "A life in the spotlight can be problematic, especially when you have a polarizing figure like Donald Trump in your immediate family. Any marriage could suffer," Susan Trombetti exclusively warns Glam.
This comment also raises an important second point. Even when well-intended, life under a microscope can be exhausting, and the content shared about the Trump clan isn't always well-intended. By affiliating themselves so strongly with polarizing family figures like the president, Eric and Lara have invited coverage that's highly politicized. The old adage might argue that there's no such thing as bad publicity, but realistically, all of this negativity could weigh on Eric and Lara, creating an extra stressor in their marriage.
Eric and Lara Trump's public and personal lives may blend together too much
When navigating the weight of star status, discretion is sometimes the better part of valor. Protecting intimacy is important, which is why certain stars get so cagey about their romances — like the famously super-private relationship between Anna Kournikova and Enrique Iglesias. However, it seems like Eric and Lara Trump aren't taking pains to separate their home life from their public ambitions, even pulling their young children in to support PR efforts.
When Donald Trump's third presidential campaign was at its height, Eric and Lara found various ways to include their kids. For instance, Lara invoked the family's supposed bedtime routine during a speech to CPAC that February, claiming that their children not only said prayers every night but also recited the Pledge of Allegiance. This came up again at Donald's victory rally in January 2025, where Eric and Lara actually brought their kids on stage to recite the pledge for the crowd.
This wasn't the first or only time that Eric and Lara sacrificed privacy to parade their children in front of an audience, either. The kids, Carolina and Luke, are regularly displayed on their parents' social media and even appeared at a September 2024 campaign rally — a move that raised eyebrows, considering there'd been an assassination attempt at a similar rally not two months prior. As one user wrote on X, formerly Twitter, "Does that strike you as responsible parenting if you believe there's an authentic, active assassination plot in play? Really?" Whether or not you think their parental priorities are skewed, a lack of public boundaries could impact the intimacy between Eric and Lara, potentially leading to disconnection down the road.
Now, check out the red flags in Tiffany Trump's marriage for more simmering relationship issues in this dynasty.