Lara Trump, wife of Eric Trump and daughter-in-law to former President Donald Trump, is under scrutiny after remarks she made at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) regarding her family's unique bedtime routine.
According to Lara, she and Eric have their children recite the Pledge of Allegiance as part of their nightly routine, a practice she believes instills patriotism from a young age.
During her speech, Lara outlined the significance she places on raising her children, Luke and Carolina, with strong patriotic values. "Every night, Eric and I have a tradition. We stop whatever we have going on and we do bedtime with our kids. And while they say their prayers and the Pledge of Allegiance, of course, I often think to myself: What kind of country will they live in in 10, 20, or 30 years?" she shared with the CPAC audience.
Lara's comments extended beyond the bedtime routine, touching on broader themes of masculinity, safety, and meritocracy. "I want my son to be proud of who he is. I want him to know that it’s ok to be a patriot. It’s ok to love God, and it is ok to be a strong, masculine man," Lara stated, emphasizing her desires for her children's future in America.
However, Lara's remarks, particularly the emphasis on reciting the Pledge of Allegiance before bed, have drawn criticism and ridicule online. Social media users have questioned the authenticity of the claim and debated its appropriateness as a bedtime activity for young children. "That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. And if it is true, that’s not the flex that she thinks it is," one user commented on X, formerly Twitter.
Critics have also pointed out the potential incongruity of such a practice with the values of inclusivity and understanding. "Children are a clean slate. They represent everything that’s good in this world: innocence, curiosity, a love for all regardless of race, gender or anything else," Lara concluded in her speech, a sentiment that some argue contrasts with the divisive nature of her earlier statements.
As the Trump family continues to be a focal point in American political discourse, Lara's comments at CPAC have sparked a broader conversation about the role of patriotism in child-rearing and the implications of such practices on children's development. With former President Donald Trump scheduled to speak at CPAC, the discussion around the Trump family's values and their influence on American conservatism is likely to continue.