In a recent musical endeavor, Lara Trump, the Republican National Committee co-chair and daughter-in-law of former President Donald Trump, has released a new single titled "Hero." The song, co-written with Kentucky-based artist Madeline Jaymes, aims to pay tribute to firefighters, despite Lara Trump having no known connection to the fire service.
The track, released approximately seven days ago, features lyrics such as "You're going through the fire, and the flames getting higher. You're my hero." The accompanying music video showcases images of firefighters in action, including rescue scenes from burning buildings.
While the intention behind the song appears noble, it has been met with significant online criticism. Rick Wilson, co-founder of the Lincoln Project, a political action committee formed in 2019, described the track as sounding like "a wild hog and a sack of rusty cans being thrown into an industrial wood chipper." Another commentator went as far as to suggest that "Every note is a violation of the Geneva Convention," referencing the international humanitarian treaties.
Lara Trump, 41, has had a diverse career path. After graduating from North Carolina State University with a Communication Media degree, she worked various jobs before moving to New York City to attend the International Culinary Center (formerly the French Culinary Institute). She later became a pastry chef and then transitioned to television production, working for CBS's Inside Edition, a long-running syndicated newsmagazine.
In February 2024, Lara Trump was appointed as the RNC co-chair, an unusual position as the committee typically has a single chairperson. This musical release follows her 2023 cover of Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down," which she claimed was "shadowbanned" by iTunes, Apple's digital media player launched in 2001.
"You can stand me up at the gates of hell but I won't back down"
The release of "Hero" and its reception highlight the intersection of politics and entertainment in contemporary American society. While Lara Trump's efforts to honor firefighters, a profession with roots dating back to ancient Rome, may be well-intentioned, the public response underscores the challenges faced by political figures venturing into the arts.
As the 2024 election cycle progresses, it remains to be seen how this musical endeavor will impact Lara Trump's political career and the broader Trump family's public image.