Rumors of Meghan Markle's political intentions create buzz

A number of Democrats are itching to win the seat vacated by the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who passed away last week at age 90.

According to the Daily Mail, in addition to a number of high-profile Democrats mounting runs for the seat next year, Meghan Markle is rumored to have interest in securing it, at least according to the British outlet.

The outlet noted:

Indeed, within minutes of 90-year-old Feinstein's death being announced on Friday, the Mail on Sunday was told 'phones lit up' with speculation the Duchess of Sussex could throw her hat in the ring to serve out the remaining 13 months of Feinstein's term.

The outlet reported that a "major" Democratic donor familiar with California Gov. Gavin Newsom's office indicated that Markle, although a long shot, could be a candidate for the open seat.

It's unclear whether the Daily Mail was suggesting she was a candidate to fill the seat temporarily, or if she ultimately wants to run for the California Senate seat.

"Meghan is definitely a long shot but in the craziness that is U.S. politics these days it's not an impossibility. Crazier things have happened," the Democratic donor reportedly said.

However, Newsweek shot down the speculation, and took a shot at the Daily Mail for the sensational headline.

Newsweek noted:

The Mail on Sunday — not exactly Meghan's favorite newspaper — led the charge with the headline "Meghan Markle 'considers run for office': Duchess of Sussex's name is in the frame to fill Californian Senator Dianne Feinstein's seat after senator died aged 90 (and could the White House be her ultimate aim?)."

It added:

It is unclear why the newspaper suggested Meghan was considering the role, but it did quote a source saying she might be viewed as a long-shot candidate.

Gov. Newsom ultimately selected Emily's List president Laphonza Butler as the interim senator to fill Feinstein's seat.

In addition to the confusion surrounding Markle's intentions to be a U.S. senator, the Daily Mail cited sources who suggested Markle's ultimate aim could be a run for the presidency.

The outlet noted:

At the time, The Mail on Sunday reported that a senior Labour Party source confirmed Meghan had been 'networking among senior Democrats' with a view to building a grass roots campaign to fuel her political ambitions - with the US Presidency her ultimate aim. She and Prince Harry reportedly held a virtual hour-long meeting with Gov. Newsom but he picked another candidate.

Social media users immediately knocked the idea of Markle becoming a senator, let alone a U.S. president, given her extreme unpopularity, even with women.

Only time will tell if the Duchess of Sussex enters the political realm, but for now, it's only rumors, at best.