What a wonderful and insightful article about Ivanka Trump, who has not only demonstrated little commitment to women issues, but to her self interest, her financial interest to her conflict of interest company, and of course takes financial support not only from her father but also from the country which her father is president, what a shameful example of a reported representative for anyone but her self-interest.
162
Manafort's daughter slipped up and texted that her father had supported the family on "blood money" (We have hackers to thank for exposing that fact.) The Trump family has got to wonder, which one of them will one day spill the beans?
86
NYT...please report the # if weeks IT and JK have traveled since January and where they have gone. Secret Service in tow.
118
I think I dislike Ivanka more than her inept and corrupt father who at least isn't pretending to be a feminist.
105
Loved Scary Steve Brannon's characterization of Ivanka -- weeping, with her pretty yellow head on Daddy's big desk. The very picture of a senior advisor and advocate for working women, right? Gee thanks, Ivanka, but I'll take my chances and go it alone in the workplace rather than expect anything helpful to come from your supposed influence.
Ivanka and her ineffectual little hubby are abominations in the White House, as well as proof (as if anybody but the deplorables needed it) that nepotism is very, very bad!
And love your pieces, Lindy!
Ivanka and her ineffectual little hubby are abominations in the White House, as well as proof (as if anybody but the deplorables needed it) that nepotism is very, very bad!
And love your pieces, Lindy!
147
Like father like daughter
56
Can we please try decency on for size? This article is mean-spirited.
15
Really? I was admiring the efforts the author made to avoid the total condemnation that is due this vile but well-mannered and stylish woman. I would have just cut to the chase.
230
She has played her role dutifully, pretending to care about women’s upward mobility
Like Hillary when she worked for WalMart and all those things she did for the Women's Movement since then.
Like Hillary when she worked for WalMart and all those things she did for the Women's Movement since then.
14
Ivanka's priorities are:
1. Donald
2. Family
3. Trump Organization
4. Ivanka
5. Personal business (Apparel)
6. Jared (marriage)
.....
102. Country (as long as it doesn't conflict w/ priorities 1 thru 101)
1. Donald
2. Family
3. Trump Organization
4. Ivanka
5. Personal business (Apparel)
6. Jared (marriage)
.....
102. Country (as long as it doesn't conflict w/ priorities 1 thru 101)
84
I wonder what does Ivanka do all day in her fancy remodeled West Wing office, which we pay for, staffed by employees, whom we pay for. Didn't General Kelly recently ban her from dropping in on Don except as a daughter? Seems she recently crashed a meeting of political leaders just to say hi, "much to their annoyance." And what about Jared's recent trip to the Middle East to resolve those centuries-old issues? Haven't heard a word about it. What a couple.
141
Well written, well said Ms West. Thank you
85
Why is anyone waiting for Ivanka Trump to be relevant? She obviously knows she isn't.
45
Ivanka Trump can be summed up in two words: Always posing.
And, yes, that's all there is.
And, yes, that's all there is.
149
I could never see why people saw any hope in Ivanka Trump having a moderating influence on her father. She is and always was an enabler of her father. It's as simple as that.
90
The trust and confidence that Americans have in Ivanka has puzzled me for a long time. She is her father's daughter, as as the saying goes, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Does her attractive exterior somehow trick people into believing that there is goodness and empathy on the inside? Because other than some vapid sound bites, there is nothing else to convince thinking citizens into believing she has their interests at heart.
72
In view of somewhat more pressing matters, we've overlooked the irony of Trump products that continue to be manufactured in other countries than the United States, for a fraction of the labor cost; forget about pensions, etc.
I'll even grant him a valid point about the need for some better taxation policy, but we should continue to challenge him about why he hasn't brought anything 'home' but foreign laborers.
I'll even grant him a valid point about the need for some better taxation policy, but we should continue to challenge him about why he hasn't brought anything 'home' but foreign laborers.
46
I'm not sure how any women's organization could invite Ms. Trump to appear before them. While she's supposedly fighting for women - her father is fighting with women. When it comes to someone attacking Dad (aka the brand), she's never been at a loss for words. Perhaps the next time Dad mouths off, she should speak up & stop hiding behind the tweets.
29
Ivanka is everything i don't want to be. She is a sorry representative for the female human species. My cat has more honor than Ivanka as do all other creatures, including rats.
73
It boggles the mind that people thought it was OK to elect an inexperienced and unpredictable adult male as President, because his daughter would moderate his behaviour. Why not just NOT elect him in the first place.
62
The Trump children's first and only priority is to keep Daddy pacified in order to protect their inheritance.
73
At today's rally in North Dakota, Ivanka was present. Her father's comments are telling and demeaning: Ivanka pleaded to come with him; she said "daddy, can I go", etc. He called her up to the stage where she rattled off a few sentences about how they loved North Dakota and how North Dakota had been good to them. She didn't seem at all embarrassed by how he talked to/about her. Ronnie, I think you got it. She will do anything to protect her inheritance. I wouldn't have put up with a father who treated me like that in front of my immediate family much less any person in the world who cared to watch this rally.
59
It's only surprising that anyone would be surprised by the revelation of Ivanka's true colors... and would still, or ever!, be expecting anything of national value from her.
Just for starters, she's always been Ms. Make-it-Overseas-Where-I-Can-Exploit-the-Poorest-and-Most-Vulnerable-to-the-Max. And whatever her surface appearance, she's always really been the self-serving, chinless wonder-daughter. You can fake the look of courage, determination, and moral fiber only so far; but in the end — as in the beginning— her grit is as sham as the silicone flesh implanted in her jawline (and elsewhere on her reconfigured, camera-ready Barbie-doll silhouette). Sorry.
Just for starters, she's always been Ms. Make-it-Overseas-Where-I-Can-Exploit-the-Poorest-and-Most-Vulnerable-to-the-Max. And whatever her surface appearance, she's always really been the self-serving, chinless wonder-daughter. You can fake the look of courage, determination, and moral fiber only so far; but in the end — as in the beginning— her grit is as sham as the silicone flesh implanted in her jawline (and elsewhere on her reconfigured, camera-ready Barbie-doll silhouette). Sorry.
104
Love your snark. Perfect.
29
she is a trump- potentially bad enough. one might hope that any fruit of trump's couplings might fall far, and roll farther, from the tree, but she doesn't appear to have done so. she also mated with a dishonest scion of a very dishonest family. she has shown little regard for decency and integrity so far. when will the media grown a second lobe to their brain and recognize that people are what they do, and what they have done- not and never what we hope or imagine they might be.
57
Ivanka is her Daddy's girl. No doubt about that. She is more dangerous though, I think. Trump is totally guttural, glitzy and crass. But Ivana is baby blues and pinks, lilting and classy. The core is essentially the same - dangerous and wily.
45
She is her father's daughter.
He doesn't belong where he is; neither does she.
He doesn't belong where he is; neither does she.
125
Ms West opens the curtains to reveal the glitzy soap opera featuring Ivanka and Jared in roles they have no idea how to perform.
Ms West's best and most hard-hitting sentence summed up the farce being played in and around the White House these days: "...unfortunately, for the entire planet, the word of a Trump isn't worth very much."
Thank you, Ms West.
Ms West's best and most hard-hitting sentence summed up the farce being played in and around the White House these days: "...unfortunately, for the entire planet, the word of a Trump isn't worth very much."
Thank you, Ms West.
67
We should harshly judge Donald Trump's dope of a daughter. She runs nasty sweat shops, with low wages and indecent conditions. How could someone so desensitized as that, be anything but selfish? They can't.
Our entire culture (as do others) profits from the forced servitude of poverty. Ivanka is just a theatrical manifestation of our own incarnation, replete with mesmerizing costumes and a face that has been crafted like a mask. But we should draw ourselves out of the trance of an audience.
To have comforted ourselves even for a moment that Ivanka Trump would be a salve is already to have put the real concerns of suffering people, here and elsewhere, into a magical world.
Yes, Ivanka Trump's hypocrisy is disgraceful. She isn't honest in her public persona. But while we thrill ourselves with developing a lacy new language for taunting at the Trumps, we have utterly failed to come up with a progressive agenda that has such a persuasive moral compass as to end a single bit of the madness in Washington, or even make a step.
That's seriously disturbing. We seem to be prepared to face the 2018 elections armed with a similar wishfulness as that we had for Ivanka Trump. Cross your fingers, and maybe the President's vapid socialite daughter will make a difference. Maybe, something.
Meanwhile real people are suffering with real urgency.
Our entire culture (as do others) profits from the forced servitude of poverty. Ivanka is just a theatrical manifestation of our own incarnation, replete with mesmerizing costumes and a face that has been crafted like a mask. But we should draw ourselves out of the trance of an audience.
To have comforted ourselves even for a moment that Ivanka Trump would be a salve is already to have put the real concerns of suffering people, here and elsewhere, into a magical world.
Yes, Ivanka Trump's hypocrisy is disgraceful. She isn't honest in her public persona. But while we thrill ourselves with developing a lacy new language for taunting at the Trumps, we have utterly failed to come up with a progressive agenda that has such a persuasive moral compass as to end a single bit of the madness in Washington, or even make a step.
That's seriously disturbing. We seem to be prepared to face the 2018 elections armed with a similar wishfulness as that we had for Ivanka Trump. Cross your fingers, and maybe the President's vapid socialite daughter will make a difference. Maybe, something.
Meanwhile real people are suffering with real urgency.
62
Along the lines of your point...are all those people in Houston ok now? Did all their fancy homes and trailer parks and cars and schools and roads and jobs get fixed already. I ask because they seem to be out of the news now and we are moving on to a possible war with North Korea and a giant storm slashing thru the Caribbean and tossing 800,000 kids out of the country and so on......we have become like water bugs flitting about the surface of a stream in the summer heat.
14
Reality TV. You voted for it -- we all got it. Ignorant, amoral, grifters.
104
Thank you! Why do some still believe she has "good intentions?" The last sentence of this story is best and universally true regarding this administration:
"Don't waste your time parsing what they say; spend it fighting what they do."
"Don't waste your time parsing what they say; spend it fighting what they do."
56
What is most galling is that neither she nor her husband were elected. Nor has the nepotism of having your own children, friends, or campaign contributors assume cabinet positions for which they are clearly unqualified, and also be party to secrets of state, been checked in the Trump White House. Michelle Obama was infinitely more qualified than anyone in the Trump Administration, including Trump, but she served the nation as First Lady, not her ego. Neither she nor her children nor her mother attended cabinet meetings; she wasn't in charge of the Middle East Peace Process, Innovation, pay equity, and what else all leading up to naught. Why she needs an office in the White House to sell high heels is beyond me. And why the taxpayers have to pay for the Trump White House charade beggars belief.
111
I used to be very critical of Ivanka, until I saw a photo of her with her father when she was 15 years old (http://time.com/ivanka-trump-pictures-photographs). He has placed one of his hands on each of her hips, as if she were his wife or girlfriend. She looks at him, smiling. It is one of the most disturbing photos I have ever seen. And, I am a psychologist.
84
I feel a similar sentiment at times. I think all his children were abused, and badly. As likely was he.
Now, then.
Now, then.
24
when will people wake up and smell the con?
31
She is her father, just in a feminine package. Her hubris is only exceeded by her husband. She is every bit the fraud that her father is. I think she will always regret the day her father was elected president because this is how she became exposed for the fraud that she is. Funny because she had a pretty good reputation before she was outed. Now, she'll never get that back. I will never get over that recent interview where she said that she tries to stay out of politics. Meanwhile she's got an office in the west wing (immediately redecorated all in white to show her priorities haha) and is a so called advisor to the morally bankrupt simpleton in chief. It's laughable if it wasn't so sad.
78
Good Heavens, it is below NYT's dignity to discuss any of Trump's children, particularly not a daughter by his former marriage to a Balkan adventuress.
16
What you don't love the brand? That's all it is, marketing hype, say what you got to, to push the brand a certain percentage will always believe even if its all fake crap. To think that her and her husband are confidants to an old man on world situations that affect the real lives of real people is a disgusting insult to the American people. When all is said and done, history will vilify any association or relative to that brand for time immemorial.
27
She coasts on the coattails of Trump father... has she actually achieved anything on her own other than trading on the name with "style" and "fashion" that is nothing unique or creative, but plays on the Klassy Luxury image of 24kt gold-plated brass that Trump sells? The kind of over-the-top imagined lifestyle of the billionaire marketed in over-priced yet somewhat affordable aspirational items for aspiring upper-middle-class wanna-be's? Where is her truly innovative and inspirational fashion line? IMO Ivanka is a con woman 'leaning in' to the big cons now that Daddy has pulled off the biggest con job ever. She's hustlin' just like any striving entrepreneur, but without the real innovation or truly new ideas that drive true entrepreneurial innovation. Over-priced glitz backed up with the Trump glittery name... and milquetoast policy input routinely ignored by Daddy and everyone around him. Time for her to move back to NYC and start 'doing luncheons' again...
38
They all are cardboard cutouts masquerading as humans. The apple of his eye doesn't fall far from the tree.
39
I completely agree. All this dissection of the blather is a waste of time - the actions of this pseudo-prez are not thoughtful or deliberate, except when they are to his own ($) benefit. The analyzing is ridiculous.
Any one who grew up in Queens knows - he. is. a. clown.
Fight now. Let historians parse it all later - including and especially: How can WE MAKE SURE this NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN.
Any one who grew up in Queens knows - he. is. a. clown.
Fight now. Let historians parse it all later - including and especially: How can WE MAKE SURE this NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN.
37
...And it took how long for the media to figure out this woman? She is in league with her father, complicit in all he does and will never be able to help the real people because she does not know how to. Why would you expect someone Ivanka Trump, silver spoon born and raised to stand up to her 1% beliefs to really help the people who need it? Spoiled Princess Royal and Barbie Doll rolled up in one only cares for her family, their assets and their greed and it's all on the back of the American people. Poor America!
31
Jenny speaks. The wealthy, whether there is a billion or multimillion, have bragging rights because they have money. That is it. They do not produce any item. They do not teach any subject. They do not have any more going on than a bank account. Without that account, they would be bereft. They are already bankrupt, barren, devoid and destitute of empathy, sympathy, human understanding and kindness. They cannot put themselves in another's place, having never experienced any other life than that of a gilded, cosseted thing. And I think "thing" is adequate. Melania is the late-in-life, last gasp of a kind-of playboy husband. What is she? What is the family dynamic? Barack and Michelle had their girls with them much of the time. Barack held Michelle's hand, looked at her, she talked to him, they were a couple. What is Melania and trump? She is always coiffed and clothed and shoed. Where is the son? What type of family is this that the father has his older children around but his current wife and son are where? The article is clear. She is mealymouthed. Even her Judaism is awkward. What a piffle.
38
I hope like all brands and fashion, the Ivanka Trump soon goes out of style.
30
I thought that as a prima donna why would she take on a political role. She obviously needs the connection with her deal making dad. Often the pictures show her attentively focused on every word her father is saying with a bubble above her head saying "how are you going to solve this problem dad?" Her contributions since she's been in office at the White House indicate that the Apprentice show continues on the world stage with the entire Trump family playing their designated wanna be roles. So if we do not get with their program, I guess we can all be fired.
14
Ivanka is an empty shell, but even if she was a passionate defender of women it would mean nothing without a President committed to listen and act in support of women. Even a strong leader with passion, commitment and enormous energy like Eleanor Roosevelt found herself marginalized and discounted when FDR turned from New Deal to focus on winning the war and no longer wanted her to share what she was learning as she traveled the country.
14
I am deeply distressed that I can no longer be proud of my president as I used to be until last year.
How can my country, the richest, the most advanced, the most ..., have a president who is loathed so much by so many? Not just him but the whole family? Not a single one in the family is - well, forget 'admired' - even considered to be about 'normally decent'?
Melania has mostly managed to keep out of the limelight and has thus avoided being found to be deplorable too. But even she has shown that, somehow, she is unaware of what may be considered common decency, e.g., setting off for flood-ravaged Texas, to see the misery there, in high-fashion stilettos and probably carrying a Gucci handbag!
I know there a lot of people here who support Trump, otherwise he would not be the president today. But what is his standing in the world today?
How can my country, the richest, the most advanced, the most ..., have a president who is loathed so much by so many? Not just him but the whole family? Not a single one in the family is - well, forget 'admired' - even considered to be about 'normally decent'?
Melania has mostly managed to keep out of the limelight and has thus avoided being found to be deplorable too. But even she has shown that, somehow, she is unaware of what may be considered common decency, e.g., setting off for flood-ravaged Texas, to see the misery there, in high-fashion stilettos and probably carrying a Gucci handbag!
I know there a lot of people here who support Trump, otherwise he would not be the president today. But what is his standing in the world today?
33
Wait, so Ivanka isn't going to get me paid maternity leave? I'm shocked -- shocked!
25
So you are just now awakening to the fact that Ivanka is no better than her father as to moral direction? What took so long? It has only been nine months but the writing was on the walls for a long, long time. I'm sorry that you missed the early signs.
Trump and his ilk operate on the principal that they always pay themselves first AND they get to keep anything that they can steal. It's part of their family motto. Never forget that.
The real question is how to stop their egregious behavior. Protests have their part but unless you can mobilize one million people to march on Trump every week, Trump will just walk past your protests.
A better plan is to mobilize a wave of voters that the Republic has never seen. That means registering every anti-Trump voter that you can find and getting them to vote in 2018 primaries and general elections. If Democrats can retake just one branch of Congress, Trump can largely be stopped. This is the kind of "fire and fury" Trump will recognize.
Short of this turnaround, we can kiss any hope of a progressive agenda goodbye.
Trump and his ilk operate on the principal that they always pay themselves first AND they get to keep anything that they can steal. It's part of their family motto. Never forget that.
The real question is how to stop their egregious behavior. Protests have their part but unless you can mobilize one million people to march on Trump every week, Trump will just walk past your protests.
A better plan is to mobilize a wave of voters that the Republic has never seen. That means registering every anti-Trump voter that you can find and getting them to vote in 2018 primaries and general elections. If Democrats can retake just one branch of Congress, Trump can largely be stopped. This is the kind of "fire and fury" Trump will recognize.
Short of this turnaround, we can kiss any hope of a progressive agenda goodbye.
31
Here's the difference between men and women. Men just come to work and basically work. That's all. Women want to come in late after they take the kids to school or whatever else. Leave to take lunch to the kids when they forgot it. Take a long lunch to take the kids to the doctor. Leave early to take the kids to whatever practice. Leave early because of some... emergency, like soccer or play dates or another doctor or the kids forgot their key or no baby sitter or the dog is sick and so on and so forth. And then they have to miss work for myriad additional reasons. AFTER they've already been on maternity leave for three or six months. And this I know because I'm a woman and a mother. But I stayed home with my kids until they were 12 and 15. Because all this is a pain in the ass for everyone else around you. But all the men just worked. Uh yeah, my husband was active duty for 25 years so I ran out of sympathy cards.
8
Sorry to say, I am reminded of the saying " garbage in , garbage out. Considering the mentoring her father raised her with she has turned out just as he would have wnated her - always be ready for the cameras, be able to lie straight faced, take advantage financially for yourself whenever possible, and never let them know what you really stand for...since she has been in "public life " it seems these are qualites you can count on her for. No suprise here.
30
This is angry and caustic and wonderful. Sometime I feel like I'm going crazy watching this clown posse presidency. The writer states what I've felt all along: ivanka is the worst.
63
Ivanka is just a better looking grifter than her father.
The arrogance of the Trumps is astounding.
The arrogance of the Trumps is astounding.
45
Lindy West speaks our voice- thank you!
43
She does not speak for everyone!
5
A Trump offspring is a hypocritical greed ball? Shock. Shock.
21
It is abundantly clear that Trump listens to neither Ivanka nor Jared. He's a loose cannon.
This presidency is bad for America for many oft-cited reasons, and it is bad for Ivanka. The latter is proved by Trump's speech in North Dakota, during which Trump told the audience that his daughter asked him "Daddy, please, can I come?"
It's apparent that Trump infantilizes Ivanka, just as he infantilizes women generally.
This presidency is bad for America for many oft-cited reasons, and it is bad for Ivanka. The latter is proved by Trump's speech in North Dakota, during which Trump told the audience that his daughter asked him "Daddy, please, can I come?"
It's apparent that Trump infantilizes Ivanka, just as he infantilizes women generally.
36
I heard so much about the "elite" in the last campaign. I think more than half of the U.S. needs to look up that word. The rhetoric was all about how we hate "elitism," so we can't possibly vote for an educated Democrat. What? Where did we forget that "elite" means all those people who have never had to lift a finger in their lives to do anything but spend hours "getting dressed." We've got people in the White House who wouldn't know how to fry an egg.
Excellent piece. Unfortunately, it reminds me, shamefully (because I don't like this sentiment) how much I hate anyone who has something to do with that forsaken family.
Excellent piece. Unfortunately, it reminds me, shamefully (because I don't like this sentiment) how much I hate anyone who has something to do with that forsaken family.
45
Well said.
11
What is Ivanka's job duties in the West Wing of the White House? What is her title? She is an advisor of some sort with valuable office space in the White House. But what does she do other than warm her father's seat at world leader meetings and take up a seat at meetings that a more responsible experienced person can use? What is her specialty? What is she accountable for? It is like little daughter's day at the office 365 days a year. Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush all had adult children but did not burden the entire country by giving them such a visible role, or any job at all.
37
The jerk's adult children are there because he can't get any responsible adults to work in this dysfunctional White House. Ask yourselves, would that joke of a human being Sarah Huckabee Sanders have the job she does if she wasn't the daughter of the evangelical fraud, the disgusting Mike Huckabee?
38
"She has played her role dutifully, pretending to care about women’s upward mobility just enough to soothe the complacent and provide plausible deniability for her father."
Let's clarify that a bit: the whole family has "deniable plausibility."
They are crooks, con artists, money launderers, and grifters. Shall we join Ladbrokes in betting on when Trump will be impeached?
Let's clarify that a bit: the whole family has "deniable plausibility."
They are crooks, con artists, money launderers, and grifters. Shall we join Ladbrokes in betting on when Trump will be impeached?
35
Your analysis is spot on, except for one thing, THEY ARE LIARS!
13
Anyone who truly believed One Percent Barbie would have a positive impact on the Trump Administration was gravid with Flavr-Ade from the start. Ivanka was all about Ivanka, beginning, middle, and end.
36
You had me at 1% Barbie!
14
The Vanity Fair article and this opinion says it all.
23
'
"The word of a Trump is not worth much." Truer words have not been heard.
"The word of a Trump is not worth much." Truer words have not been heard.
39
Yeah, and she's obviously none too bright, either. Her every utterance is stunningly empty and vapid. The very fact that she thinks it's good enough to get by shows that she's never had to -- be good enough to actually get by, that is. Apple not far from the tree, as far as that goes.
39
You ask, "Real question: Is anyone out there still waiting for Ivanka Trump to come through?"
Not a chance on that. Ivanka is no friend to women anywhere.
And my new fear is that she harbors aspirations on the presidency. Heck, her dad lied his way in and she has certainly mastered that skill.
Not a chance on that. Ivanka is no friend to women anywhere.
And my new fear is that she harbors aspirations on the presidency. Heck, her dad lied his way in and she has certainly mastered that skill.
22
Timothy Egan said it best in his 28 April piece. A family of grifters has taken over the White House.
39
A family of carnies.
29
Where have you gone, Patti Davis? Ms. Trump should take to heart some pages from Reagan's daughter.
7
Ms. West, yours is a voice the New York Times has long needed. And while we shall always need to know about decoys like Ivanka Trump, we need you to get into the trenches and tell us the stories of real American women (and children, and seniors and men, and our immigrants) who are really being impacted by Republicans' real policies. Be a change agent. Thank you in advance for your patriotic service.
18
I first saw Ivanka at Trump's joint address to Congress. Ivanka stood there in an unsuitable dress, totally still except for mechanical clapping, and was looking at the military widow through her heavily made up eyes as if she hated her while Trump made inane/inappropriate comments by way of honoring the woman and her husband. Her interviews and her book show someone lacking in wisdom, understanding, empathy, and communication skills. She acts and speaks like a Barbie doll speaking from a 32 mb floppy disk. She's only in the WH because of dad, and he's only there due to an element of our voters who either hated HRC or loved professional wrestling, think beauty pageants and abusing women is okay, never read anything, particularly something they disagree with, and are the types taken in by TV preachers. People have been destroyed by too much TV and FOX news.
Trump is destroying our country, erasing all the good while he babbles, blusters, and praises himself. Ivanka is just an annoyance (to us) there to stroke his ego, although who knows what harm Jared is causing. Melania's only remarkable action has been to change her shoes. Eric and Donald Jr. have only harmed the Trump effort to stay out of trouble. This wouldn't even make a good sitcom or nighttime TV drama. Under the surface, however, is a family that has conducted itself based on greed, entitlement, irresponsible behavior, with connections to criminals and other bad people.
It's more than sad.
Trump is destroying our country, erasing all the good while he babbles, blusters, and praises himself. Ivanka is just an annoyance (to us) there to stroke his ego, although who knows what harm Jared is causing. Melania's only remarkable action has been to change her shoes. Eric and Donald Jr. have only harmed the Trump effort to stay out of trouble. This wouldn't even make a good sitcom or nighttime TV drama. Under the surface, however, is a family that has conducted itself based on greed, entitlement, irresponsible behavior, with connections to criminals and other bad people.
It's more than sad.
48
Been saying the same thing about this women since the campaign. Nothing stated in this article is surprising. What was surprising were the women (mostly Dems) who I met that admired IT. That did not say too much about their judgement.
14
Ivanka supported daddy's plan to cut overtime for federal contract workers and to oppose data being supplied to government to show how wide the pay differences are for men, women and different races. Ivanka (other wise known as Idumbka), supports everything daddy does and pays her Chinese labor making her knock off shoes and tacky clothing slave wages. She is just like daddy. I say, impeach and imprison all the trumps, pence, Ryan, McConnell and any politician in the GOP who took Russian money. They are stealing as much as they can and attacking our great governance. Mueller hopefully will take them all down along with NYAG. Idumbka is just protecting her brand (sic) and her Russian investments.
26
Who did ever expect Ivanka to actually get something done in government? She is a purse designer and salesperson. Her pet government projects would be cute (sort of like a first lemonade stand business for a 5 year old)if only they didn't play out on the world and national stage. This way she is just a farce. Only Daddy is proud of her lemonade stand.
30
Purse designer my pinkie. Ms Prada is a purse designer. Ivanka is a joke.
34
Ivanka is a licensor, not a designer. Someone else does the work, and she puts her name on it.
25
I am glad that the Trumps are fighting for the unborn. Pro lifers are very pleased that we finally have an advocate in the White House like President Trump and Ivanka who support the pro-life movement. We certainly did not have that with Obama and would not have had it with Hillary Clinton. They both supported Planned Parenthood not babies. Planned Parenthood is the largest abortion provider in the country. This is so sad.
3
Do you really think Trump is pro life? He will say he is if it gets him votes (and applause), but he is actually only pro Trump.
8
Your ends do not align with your method. Demolishing the working and middle class will cause more abortions. Women who don't have money don't have babies. Destroying Planned Parenthood simply kills more women. Look at Texas, leader in maternal death, most vocal "anti-abortion" state. Your kind of magical thinking only makes *you* feel righteous, it doesn't save lives, in fact it destroys them.
39
And you WMK are so uninformed. Providing safe, legal abortions is about 3% of their services. Scanning for cervical cancer, one of their many services, saves many lives. Aren't young teens and other adults as important as say an embryo? No, save all those embryos and fetuses. After they are born, let them die a slow death from neglect and/or starvation.
25
They are family. Of course nothing else matters. Why would anyone listen to Ivanka. Great Daughter, Lousy Activist. It's going to be a long, long winter......
11
Amen, let it be heard. Hanging onto illusions was at our own peril. Though I will say that ANYONE gave her the benefit of the doubt from the beginning was startling. She DID have a personal track record that was publicly available knowledge in 2016.
4
Ivanka agreed to embarrassing media appearances (Howard Stern) with her father that inevitably devolved into sewer talk. She acquiesced, even laughed lightheartedly when Trump said some of the most smarmy, impudent remarks that a father could say about a daughter. Even his physical greeting her on the Republican convention stage was wince-inducing. If Ivanka compromises her own boundaries and dignity to maintain her father's favor, she shouldn't be expected to stand up for anyone else's welfare.
35
Will some "brave" journalist/interviewer, please, ask Ivanka or Daddy when oh when will they bring their products back to America for manufacture. I know they only use his name but is one of the issues he decries while enjoying the benefit of offshore labor. She is as phony as the proverbial 3 dollar bill, it is hilarious, pitiful and offensive that she declares herself an advocate for working women's' issues.
23
I'm holding out hope that little Barron Trump will grow up to be the "Ron Reagan Jr" of this abominable family.
16
She is in favour of dissembling. She praises dissembling in her books. A way to success. Lying would be the more accurate word. She is the daughter of a serialliar after all No big difference.
17
She's a princess, nothing more nothing less. Here are some things I bet Ivanka would really get worked up about: 1. Acne. I think she would be mortified by a pimple, it would send her into overdrive. 2. Nose hair. 3. A wart. 4. A cold sore. 5. Bags under her eyes. 6. Wrinkles. These are the things that would horrify her if she saw them in the mirror. But if DACA goes down, income inequality goes up, the Nazis take over, LGBT people are burned at the stake? She'll still smile at herself in the mirror and maybe be concerned over her lipstick shade. But she'll never look at herself and feel the slightest twinge of regret. Princesses never have to.
38
Ivanka Trump is a bubblehead who owes whatever she is to daddy, pure and simple. She got into an ivy league school because papa was a very rich alumni, and her business that so many crowed about came about because Daddy financed it, bought the best designers and business people out there, and used his influence to help her create her "brand"....other than that, she worked for daddy, looking glamorous in designer clothes and pretending to be something.
Sorry, but expecting her to be anything but a vacuous figurehead is like expecting to hit the lottery 10 times in a row....statistically possible, but in reality, next to impossible. LGBT rights? She is all in favor because it would "hurt her brand" not to be, Women's rights, sure....but when push comes to shove and Daddy is pleasing the religious right and other morons, she isn't exactly going to lift a finger. She and her husband portrayed themselves are 'moderating influences' when all either of them cared about was making more money for themselves and fooling people into believing they could do anything to stop Trump from promoting the anti women, anti LGBT, racist agenda of the so called conservatives.
Sorry, but expecting her to be anything but a vacuous figurehead is like expecting to hit the lottery 10 times in a row....statistically possible, but in reality, next to impossible. LGBT rights? She is all in favor because it would "hurt her brand" not to be, Women's rights, sure....but when push comes to shove and Daddy is pleasing the religious right and other morons, she isn't exactly going to lift a finger. She and her husband portrayed themselves are 'moderating influences' when all either of them cared about was making more money for themselves and fooling people into believing they could do anything to stop Trump from promoting the anti women, anti LGBT, racist agenda of the so called conservatives.
21
Wow, thank you Ms. West. Now that is exactly what we need more of to fight this battle, and it is the good fight. Wit, sharply-honed and intelligent wit, to shine a harsh light on the truth, on the gilded nakedness of this emperor and his court of inbreds.
For our laughter, our incredulous head-shaking laughter, can and will be the catalyst that pushes this motley lot into the frenzy of tail biting that their grandiose egos will not allow them to escape.
Beautiful. Stay sharp and no more pulling of punches.
The party is just beginning.
For our laughter, our incredulous head-shaking laughter, can and will be the catalyst that pushes this motley lot into the frenzy of tail biting that their grandiose egos will not allow them to escape.
Beautiful. Stay sharp and no more pulling of punches.
The party is just beginning.
24
How anyone took Ivanka seriously from the beginning and even now proves beyond doubt the immense power of marketing. You can make people believe and buy anything with the right kind of marketing. And the right kind, for Donald supporters, is throwing hate-filled, rancid, abhorrent meat to his rabid base, and for Ivanka supporters, the delusion of soft liberalism in the guise of pink pastels. It's all hokum, and for anyone with eyes and an understanding of the actual needs and priorities of real life women, deeply insulting.
These Trumps are toking away daily on hubris the scale of which is unimaginable, given the truth about who they are. It's so thoroughly ridiculous and embarrassing to have our country run by ignorant amateurs. The sheer incompetence is staggering. Ivanka, please, go back to what you apparently can do, which is to sell cheap junk made in China to stuff your bank account. Please. Leave policy making that is desperately needed to improve the lives of actual human women up to people with policy knowledge and experience.
These Trumps are toking away daily on hubris the scale of which is unimaginable, given the truth about who they are. It's so thoroughly ridiculous and embarrassing to have our country run by ignorant amateurs. The sheer incompetence is staggering. Ivanka, please, go back to what you apparently can do, which is to sell cheap junk made in China to stuff your bank account. Please. Leave policy making that is desperately needed to improve the lives of actual human women up to people with policy knowledge and experience.
24
Ivanka, bought and paid for. Beneath my contempt.
27
Ivanka Doonothing would be a bit less effective if Maggie Haberman would stop being her apologist. Every day there is an article about unnamed White House sources being against this trump policy. Yesterday she cried that Daddy had been tricked and didn't understand that he was really deporting 800,000 young people from America. Oh, when he finds out, he'll be livid. When he finds out that he has been promising he would deport al dreamers for the past year he'll be livid? When he finds out that Obama was born in Hawaii, oh, I don't want to be in the same room. He's really going to hit the roof when he learns Manafort was working for Putin.
Just spitballing here, but what if Ivanka's role is to charm and disarm?
Just spitballing here, but what if Ivanka's role is to charm and disarm?
12
Ivanka is totally unqualified even for her amorphous White House role - just a pretty plastic mannequin for window dressing. No competence or qualifications needed! No brain or conscience either, apparently.
Her father's idea of an ideal woman - a Barbie doll - dressed as a Mad Men-era secretary in snug-fitting pastel dresses and spike heels - play-acting the part of a woman leader. HA!
Only fans of "reality shows" - especially Trump's - would find this act even remotely credible.
She mouths phony platitudes about "working women" - as if she shares any of the real challenges real-life working women face. And she's silent in the face of her father's outrageous racism, misogyny - and lies.
She's greedy, phony, talentless, ineffectual - and complicit. Like the rest of her family.
Her father's idea of an ideal woman - a Barbie doll - dressed as a Mad Men-era secretary in snug-fitting pastel dresses and spike heels - play-acting the part of a woman leader. HA!
Only fans of "reality shows" - especially Trump's - would find this act even remotely credible.
She mouths phony platitudes about "working women" - as if she shares any of the real challenges real-life working women face. And she's silent in the face of her father's outrageous racism, misogyny - and lies.
She's greedy, phony, talentless, ineffectual - and complicit. Like the rest of her family.
48
Ivanka could, in fact, do some good to resolve the North Korea nuclear threat.
If Donald Trump and Kim Jong-Il negotiate the ownership and construction of the Trump International Pyongyang Hotel (TIPH), they would have common ground for a mutual relationship. Never mind the 20 million people whose lives might be at risk.
Once the hotel is built, the nuclear threat would be over. President Trump couldn't possibly nuke his own hotel. The North Korean economy would expand and open, to generate paying guests for TIPH.
Ivanka, as a high-ranking executive at the Trump Organization, should get to work on this! She could save the world from a nuclear holocaust. Go, girl, go!
If Donald Trump and Kim Jong-Il negotiate the ownership and construction of the Trump International Pyongyang Hotel (TIPH), they would have common ground for a mutual relationship. Never mind the 20 million people whose lives might be at risk.
Once the hotel is built, the nuclear threat would be over. President Trump couldn't possibly nuke his own hotel. The North Korean economy would expand and open, to generate paying guests for TIPH.
Ivanka, as a high-ranking executive at the Trump Organization, should get to work on this! She could save the world from a nuclear holocaust. Go, girl, go!
9
Ivanka, with all your gifts of money, fame, power and beauty, why couldn't you have been more bold with your life and thread your own way? Be the next Elon Musk, instead of wasting that ivy league education playing fashion-designer behind the already established family name. If I were you, I'd reach for Mars! Loser!
7
This artical smells of people without lives hating on people who are out there doing something/in this case all the criticism is uncalled for ....yes beauty brains money and a good heart brings out the Envey in those who have not!
3
"yes beauty brains money and a good heart brings out the Envey in those who have not!"
Beauty? Somewhat but there are many with more.
Brains? No, starting off rich is a matter of luck not smarts. Plenty of folks with more smarts and better critical thinking skills.
Good heart? Not yet evident from her actions (words do not matter)
Beauty? Somewhat but there are many with more.
Brains? No, starting off rich is a matter of luck not smarts. Plenty of folks with more smarts and better critical thinking skills.
Good heart? Not yet evident from her actions (words do not matter)
22
While you are out there"doing something" please learn some grammar and how to spell. It is uneducated voters like yourself who have brought our beloved country to the abyss. Trump is a plague on our nation!
22
The Trump "kids" are very much a chip off the old block. All talk and lies. You would think that Ivanka could do something helpful, something meaningful, for women but she's just an "appeaser" to the guys. No guts and no real conviction for her self proclaimed cause. Really pathetic.
14
She is just a joke... Babbles like her father...
Just the naive listen to their rubbish... Too much useless talk.
Easily promised, easily forgotten...
Just the naive listen to their rubbish... Too much useless talk.
Easily promised, easily forgotten...
17
Stop! Ivanka is getting older. It's very difficult to keep your husband as you age and deliver the heirs and heiresses. Think of all the bleaching, debriding, bun toning, arm firming, hairstyling, makeup, false eyelashes, depilatories, face tightening, dress fittings .....it's an almost endless maintenance schedule!
She's a Trump and Trump females need to look, speak and dress like a pretty, pretty girl with a "sexy secret." Sure, it's cool to say stuff like "Poverty is bad," or "women should be entrepreneurs." But let's face it, Ivanka already figured out how to be an entrepreneur, didn't she? It wasn't that difficult. You get a $9M loan from your dad, like her dad got from his dad, then you sell your name.
And Ivanka has had to show up at at least three depositions involving Trump branded real estate deals and this....this crazy shoe design mixup! sure she SAID she approves all her shoe designs, but that doesn't mean she actually DOES, duh! It's called branding, people!
Testifying take time. That's time she could be dressing, bleaching, or spending quality time with her children in full makeup so she looks good for the photographers who document her "mom time."
Get real, people. You want her to lose her husband, like her mom did? And like her 1st stepmom did? And like her 2nd stepmom would have, if daddy hadn't unexpectedly been put over the top by Uncle Vlad's tech elves? A girl needs to stay pretty and desirable to her father ...oops, I mean for "her husband."
She's a Trump and Trump females need to look, speak and dress like a pretty, pretty girl with a "sexy secret." Sure, it's cool to say stuff like "Poverty is bad," or "women should be entrepreneurs." But let's face it, Ivanka already figured out how to be an entrepreneur, didn't she? It wasn't that difficult. You get a $9M loan from your dad, like her dad got from his dad, then you sell your name.
And Ivanka has had to show up at at least three depositions involving Trump branded real estate deals and this....this crazy shoe design mixup! sure she SAID she approves all her shoe designs, but that doesn't mean she actually DOES, duh! It's called branding, people!
Testifying take time. That's time she could be dressing, bleaching, or spending quality time with her children in full makeup so she looks good for the photographers who document her "mom time."
Get real, people. You want her to lose her husband, like her mom did? And like her 1st stepmom did? And like her 2nd stepmom would have, if daddy hadn't unexpectedly been put over the top by Uncle Vlad's tech elves? A girl needs to stay pretty and desirable to her father ...oops, I mean for "her husband."
44
All I expect from her are clothes and shoes. Her apparel is not to my taste but I scored the last pair of her faux Chanel pumps at Nordstrom before her brand was discontinued. I have zero political or moral expectations of her or her husband.
9
If Ivanka had a single thought about the welfare of women, or anybody not Trump, where would it have come from? She was raised to be exactly what she is, which is Daddy's Girl: to have the look Daddy likes, and to have the opinions Daddy Likes. How could it be possible for her to be anybody else? I know, we keep being shocked, thinking that a family can't be as bad as this, but c'mon, take a look at any tyrant throughout history. It's not your imagination! The Trumps are classic. It's not that they don't like you, they simply don't even acknowledge you.
11
I am sorry Ivanka. Unfortunately everything related to a name like "Trump" is associated with the word "mistrust".
9
What would Ivanka be doing if she wan't born into wealth?
Working at the makeup counter at a department store?
And Donald Jr. and Eric?
Selling timeshares or vitamins?
Working at the makeup counter at a department store?
And Donald Jr. and Eric?
Selling timeshares or vitamins?
35
I think Ivanka is busy picking out photos of herself frolicking in the WH or sitting with a gently curled finger under her chin while in "listening mode" ("oh my, I'm being photographed?" with the camera about 6" from her face) in high-powered meetings before retiring to her corner West Wing office (redecorated in 50 shades of white at taxpayers' expense). I truly wish that General Kelly would forbid her from posting those glamour shots on her Instagram page. I'm tired of funding her marketing campaign.
18
If only we could build a wall around the Trumps. "Bad familia down there."
16
Wait, Ivanka may have lied? SHOCKING!
6
Lindy West is the best new voice at the NYT in a long time. Wish I could write like you!
14
Ivanka may be a lovely woman, but I resent her having an office in the White House and I couldn't care less what she has to say about anything at anytime.
17
The Trumps: The little family that calls wolf and the gullible villagers believe them again and again.
5
The rotten apple doesn't fall far from the tree. She is a third generation Trump, a female version of Gordon Gecko/Patrick Bateman.
9
I think Ivanka Trump is lovely. She is bright, intelligent and talented. I am in the minority opinion but this is America and all voices should be heard and respected. I think the people are jealous of her.
4
Everything you posted is false other than you being in the minority opinion and this being America.
Ivanka isn't lovely, bright, intelligent, or talented. Not all voices should be heard let alone respected. People don't like her for many reasons but jealousy doesn't figure into it for most.
Ivanka isn't lovely, bright, intelligent, or talented. Not all voices should be heard let alone respected. People don't like her for many reasons but jealousy doesn't figure into it for most.
23
Ben
I forgot to add that Ivanka Trump is beautiful. She carries herself like a lady because she is a lady. This is a rare occurrence today.
I forgot to add that Ivanka Trump is beautiful. She carries herself like a lady because she is a lady. This is a rare occurrence today.
3
You seem to think that being beautiful, well dressed and photogenic is equal to being qualified. It is not. If one were to judge by her books, being bright and intelligent are not big attributes of Ivanka's either. Her most recent book in particular is just the re-packaging and appropriation of other people's wisdom, although she did add a cutesy new use for the word architecht. She turned a noun into a verb! So original! As advisor to the president, she has shown neither knowledge nor ability. Basically, she has leapfrogged the queue of informed, experienced, competent candidates for advisor by virtue of her familial relationship with DJT. I thought conservatives hated that kind of special favor. I thought that's why they object to illegal immigrants ("they should get in line and wait for legal entry") and affirmative action programs ("special privilege! so unfair!"). Or does affirmative action become desirable when the recipient is wealthy, pretty, and blonde?
16
Factually, Ivanka Trump, with all of her advantages, has demonstrated no acumen for running her limited business. On a larger scale, and after inheriting a multi-billion dollar business, Jared Trump took it to its knees with his purchase of 666 Fifth Avenue and other specious business deals.
But, the Trump Crime Family, as with other organized crime organizations, realized that Trump's presidency was a golden opportunity to turn all that around. Even nations with under-developed legal systems have not, and would not, tolerate this massive level of corruption.
You have to wonder what the minority who elected Trump feel about their leader enriching himself, and his errant family, at the taxpayers' expense. No, actually, you don't. It seems they aspire to the very 1% they claim to abhor, as channeled to them by Donald Trump, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner.
But, the Trump Crime Family, as with other organized crime organizations, realized that Trump's presidency was a golden opportunity to turn all that around. Even nations with under-developed legal systems have not, and would not, tolerate this massive level of corruption.
You have to wonder what the minority who elected Trump feel about their leader enriching himself, and his errant family, at the taxpayers' expense. No, actually, you don't. It seems they aspire to the very 1% they claim to abhor, as channeled to them by Donald Trump, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner.
14
West writes like a good surgeon cuts, precise and effective.
10
I loved this article.
Ivanka Trump sells clothes to women; she is good at the image thing and has come by that honestly. However, women do not need anymore "things" to help them look pretty. What they really need is to be valued for their contributions and not their looks. They need better opportunities and better paying jobs. She is not helping to further women in anyway. She's only making it worse.
Ivanka Trump sells clothes to women; she is good at the image thing and has come by that honestly. However, women do not need anymore "things" to help them look pretty. What they really need is to be valued for their contributions and not their looks. They need better opportunities and better paying jobs. She is not helping to further women in anyway. She's only making it worse.
14
What were the odds Ivanka Trump would turn out rich and successful? What, I ask you, were the odds?
7
Her background in the low life family of Trump would preclude any ability to feel valuable as a woman.
If her father talks about women the way we know he talks about women we cannot expect Ivanka to be a self confident woman of her own.
If her father talks about women the way we know he talks about women we cannot expect Ivanka to be a self confident woman of her own.
4
So much potential, so little grit.
7
Ivanka has been well schooled by her mother: don't get mad, get even. Ivana went for the big money, possibly at the expense of her principles. Mostly, she has been silent. Possibly, she is gratified that her three adult children are on the national stage, wealthy, and, in the case of Ivanka, have the ear of POTUS.
4
Ivanka Trump Kushner is transparent and virulent in tone and reality; as such not suitable for fostering the greater public for any worth . Enough!
6
"More of a logo than a person. " Exactly.
14
Someone needs to take that brilliant last paragraph and read it into a megaphone pointed at Dianne "Trump Can Still Be A Good President" Feinstein.
4
Politics is the art of the possible. Democrats in the Senate are trying to do their jobs.
Is their a gene linked with the propensity for self- and other-deception? Or is such deception a primarily a matter of nurture--outrageously displayed by father and mimicked by daughter until fully habitual?
6
It's astrological, primarily. Ivanka is a Scorpio I.
1
I appreciate that there are stories about THEM which catch our attention, use up our limited time and energies in our traditionalized and anchored WE-THEY culture and world. Ivanka is one of THEM when WE are reading about her, watching her on TV, hearing about her.Otherwise when she is the WE, you and me/I are the THEY, or them. No US in this binary-banal reality!What would enable people who can make needed, helpful, contributions to thinking, planning, doing, and then assessing the outcomes? Making needed changes from what is learned! For achievable levels and qualities of well being. For developing, nurturing civil, respectful, interactions. Which foster much needed trust these difficult- days. Enabling open, inviting hands to risk offering useful and needed mutual help for "strangers." How does focusing on Ivanka, as a person, in her various roles, as a mantra, an example, a target, a tool, and whatever else, help to change the use and misuse of limited human and non-human resources in order to make menschlich judgments?Decisions? Which are carried out. Learned from? What will enable each of us to focus on both what we are doing and not doing...and not on Ivanka?
Agreed in all respects, but we forgot one. To my knowledge, she has also not addressed her father's threat to end the J-1 Visa program under which au pairs are covered. Au pairs have provided invaluable child care to thousands of working mothers and dads over 30 years so that they can go to work in this economy the Trumps purport to be concerned about. What kind of champion of working mothers would support the elimination of one of the few child care options we have in this country for working parents?
6
Especially for working mothers of her social class. Jeez, Ivanka!
8
Bravo, Ms. West, on an outstanding essay. As the country becomes more splintered and divisive, it is important to call out those who feel they have the power to influence, yet only pay lip service. It is more than apparent she is her father's daughter.
30
NOT Marie Antoinette. Poor Marie was a flighty teenager. Ivanka, and her Family, is more akin to the Borgias. Look it up, kids.
58
I'm so glad that Ivanka is in the White House as a "senior adviser", what with all her experience as.....
...and her work for....
....and her selfless passion for.....
.....er ..... uh .....
Yeah.
...and her work for....
....and her selfless passion for.....
.....er ..... uh .....
Yeah.
92
Lindy, your posts are so deliciously cathartic, not to mention re-orienting, in these absurd times. Thank you.
47
One word describes Ivanka: Complicit (SNL got this right).
Lindy, great writing! More, please.
Lindy, great writing! More, please.
47
4
Apple does not fall from the tree. What do you think, given who her mentor and idol has been all her life. what did you expect. All the talk about the humanistic ideals before her father became the president was simply a role playing by Ivanka to fit into the NY culture. Truth is that she is no less a thug than her esteemed father.
28
Like most (if not all) of the women associated with this administration, there is no there there. No substance. Arm candy, eye candy, and whatever else kind of candy. They are style, no substance. Most importantly, they (apparently) have no sway of the current president. Sad, bigly.
24
An ounce of shame, perhaps would be sufficient to go around the Trump clan. None of them has any morality left in them. Brandishing lofty moral values is only a tactic to gather more of the materials. Talk is cheap... So are the Trumps.
35
Well that was scathing . . . and every word of it deserved.
51
This is tough, biting talk and the point is well made. But Ivanka remains a highly educated, accomplished female business executive. The intensity of the ire directed towards her smacks of misogyny.
4
Her complete lack of support for women, in the US and in her foreign business dealings, smacks of misogyny.
52
There isn't anything misogynistic about calling out hypocrisy. Had she remained in private life she would certainly be off limits but the fact is she took a job in the White House and made public statements about advocating for women.
18
You don't think people should stand up for what they believe in no matter who they are? Just because she is rich, educated, employed and female, she doesn't get a free pass to pretend that she cares about the underprivileged but then stands back while her father buries them.
7
I urge the federal government to include women's rights as an important component when addressing income inequality in society.
These comments are meanspirted. Yes, many of us across the country are frustrated with this administration. Yes, our President has said some terrible things, like all of us...but to unleash our frustration on his daughter is hateful. I don't disagree that someone else should be in her role. Nepotism and Cronyism will destroy any brand to include the presidency...but as a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle...would you want your children, especially the younger Trump's to be categorized the way many of the commenters have done today?
Our energy will be better spent contacting our representatives, starting grassroot organizations, analyzing demographic data to prepare for 2020. What we are experiencing now was evident in 2015 as family business skills will never translate to government office. It requires a completely different skill set and experiences with a diverse nation that some wealthy children do not have due to their upbringing.
Healthy venting is good, but when we begin to talk about the entire family, that isn't good...especially when children are involved. Vent to the Senate and Congress, go door to door and remind people of the importance of voting. Volunteer in a high poverty Title One School, but let's leave the Trump children out of it. Our President will have to give an account for everything he fails to make right that was wrong.
Our energy will be better spent contacting our representatives, starting grassroot organizations, analyzing demographic data to prepare for 2020. What we are experiencing now was evident in 2015 as family business skills will never translate to government office. It requires a completely different skill set and experiences with a diverse nation that some wealthy children do not have due to their upbringing.
Healthy venting is good, but when we begin to talk about the entire family, that isn't good...especially when children are involved. Vent to the Senate and Congress, go door to door and remind people of the importance of voting. Volunteer in a high poverty Title One School, but let's leave the Trump children out of it. Our President will have to give an account for everything he fails to make right that was wrong.
4
No. Ivanka injected herself into the campaign. She spoke at the Republican convention. She recently sat in Trump's chair during his brief absence at a meeting of heads of state. She speaks of political issues as noted in this article. She is part of this Trump cabal.
She is part of the problem and open to criticism.
She is part of the problem and open to criticism.
80
Ivanka jumped right into the administration. She doesn't sit home with her kids or her fashion designs. She actually works at the WHITE HOUSE and as such is fair game for any public comment that comes her way. Her situation is totally different from that of young Barron Trump, who really is a kid and deserves to have a childhood without constant media scrutiny.
12
The Trump "children" are adults in their thirties. They are official top aides to the President with the highest of security clearances, and absolutely no qualifications for these positions except for their familial relationship to said president. They should absolutely NOT be "left out of it", as if they were naive adolescents. They are government officials (at least Ivanka and Jared are) and so they are fair game for criticism.
11
Ivanka and Jared's main worry is receiving the cold shoulder from their NY social set, who at least have some liberal pretensions. Oh, business is business and they'll still be invited to all the vapid soirees and festivals but it will make for some mighty awkward smalltalk.
13
Not really! Former WaPo editor Lally Weymouth threw a party here in the Hamptons this summer and guess who was on the guest list?
Jared, Ivanka, Chuck Schumer, George Soros, one of the Koch brothers, Kellyanne Conway, Stephen Spielberg and the local Tea Party congressman, Lee Zeldin.
This NYC/DC/Hamptons crowd is 100% about power and money and nothing else.
Jared, Ivanka, Chuck Schumer, George Soros, one of the Koch brothers, Kellyanne Conway, Stephen Spielberg and the local Tea Party congressman, Lee Zeldin.
This NYC/DC/Hamptons crowd is 100% about power and money and nothing else.
6
Okay. We have to have a GOT reference. Ivanka is Margery Tyrell who seeks the love of the people as an ego boost. The Big Sparrow this out to her. She reforms but we all know how that turned out.
2
I believe there is NOTHING authentic about this woman morally, physically, ethically. She poses and pitches for personal gain. Oh, the vulgarity. . . oh how sad.
36
The Kushners personify T.S. Eliot's hollow men. Empty of intellect. Empty of courage and integrity. Empty of compassion, empathy, and basic human decency.
Quel surprise.
Quel surprise.
40
Ivanka is a wannabe Kardashian who needs training wheels to, "architect," her way through a simple interview. We are a media savvy nation. More people watch entertainment television than news. Ivanka wants to be a professional presenter and her father has deals linking the family to Comcast, NBC and Mark Burrnett who is the king of reality television. Presenting is an industry. I'm not sure she knows that and she can get Carson Daly to pick up her call. Where is that woman's head? Whenever I watch Ivanka speak I wonder if she has an inner-Sarah Palin yearning to be set free? Inquiring minds want to know.
10
Ivanka proves that evil can be made palatable with a $1,200 makeover, however the rot within continues.
24
Javanka, since they are a two-for-one deal, are the poster children of nepotism. Born into wealth and privilege. Never worked a hard day in their gilded caged life. Offspring of dubious real estate charlatans. Gleefully thrust themselves into these roles...and therefore our lives. Please go away.
There was never any hope that they'd be anything else then who they are: entitled, complicit, cocksure, noxious, superior, pipe dreaming, aloof, ne'er do wells.
It is said we are reflection of our parents. Time for them to look at their - now similarly irrelevant - selves in the mirror. Their reward for their sycophantic following will be watching their brands burn to never recover.
Take America Away From Him
There was never any hope that they'd be anything else then who they are: entitled, complicit, cocksure, noxious, superior, pipe dreaming, aloof, ne'er do wells.
It is said we are reflection of our parents. Time for them to look at their - now similarly irrelevant - selves in the mirror. Their reward for their sycophantic following will be watching their brands burn to never recover.
Take America Away From Him
31
She is just here so she could get branding rights in Asia.
16
"But she's friends with Chelsea Clinton!"
I know I fell for that one, subconciously at least. I think Ms. West did a fantastic job of unmasking any illusion that still remains about who the president's daughter is, and what to expect from her. The Chelsea Clinton connection can only mean one of two things: either Chelsea and Ivanka aren't really friends, or Chelsea doesn't know how to pick friends.
I know I fell for that one, subconciously at least. I think Ms. West did a fantastic job of unmasking any illusion that still remains about who the president's daughter is, and what to expect from her. The Chelsea Clinton connection can only mean one of two things: either Chelsea and Ivanka aren't really friends, or Chelsea doesn't know how to pick friends.
7
Excellent article Ms. West. "She is more a logo than a person, a scarecrow stuffed with branding, an heiress-turned-model-turned-multimillionaire’s-wife playacting as an authority on the challenges facing working women so that she can sell more pastel sheath dresses."
The Trump family is only interested in one thing, making money for themselves. They are a family of takers, users and grifters. Ivanka is the fake Barbie Doll dressed up to pretend to care.
The Trump family is only interested in one thing, making money for themselves. They are a family of takers, users and grifters. Ivanka is the fake Barbie Doll dressed up to pretend to care.
24
Ivanka a moderate? First daughter, First laughter.
13
SNL got it right some time ago, she's complicit.
12
Ivanka is also the daughter of Ivana, who famously said after her divorce, "Don't get mad. Get everything."
11
The readers to whom this column is pitched never believed in the first place that Ivanka Trump would be some sort of advocate for women in the workplace. The people who need to disabused of this notion are conservative women, many of whom bought Trump's book. Without snarkiness or displays of cleverness, the actual specific positions and actions of Trump and her father should be compared and contrasted with the sentiments she expresses in her book. And such a piece should run in a publication these women read, rather than the Times op Ed page.
3
Have compassion for Ivanka. When you look at those very disturbing photos of her and her father from her youth and listen to his appalling confessions about wanting to date his "hot" daughter with whom he has "sex" in common, we can only guess what type of twisted childhood she endured. I find her to be "compliant" not "complicit" and it saddens me deeply.
I agree that Ivanka and Melania are uniquely suited to expose Trump for the troubled person he is. I wish them both well in surviving in this dysfunctional family. And the same for Mr Trump who is also likely a survivor of dysfunction. As the Buddhists say: "May all beings everywhere be safe and happy and filled with peace."
I agree that Ivanka and Melania are uniquely suited to expose Trump for the troubled person he is. I wish them both well in surviving in this dysfunctional family. And the same for Mr Trump who is also likely a survivor of dysfunction. As the Buddhists say: "May all beings everywhere be safe and happy and filled with peace."
9
Ivanka, Jared and Trump = most expensive internships ever.
14
Ivanka has no business being in a formal role in the White House. She is the President's kid. That is her expertise. That's it.
There is a reason we have laws against this kind of corruption. Too bad we don't enforce them any more.
There is a reason we have laws against this kind of corruption. Too bad we don't enforce them any more.
24
The Trump name is synonymous with "grafter", "fraud", and "liar". Are these skills taught or is it genetic, as each of his kids exhibit a complete lack, and disconnect, from the lives that most of us live. They remind me of the seasonal scam artists who would roll into my town each fall selling new driveways, roofs or aluminum siding. They would make my skin crawl when they knocked on the door, and I couldn't get rid of them fast enough (including calling the police). We are stuck with the Trumps and I hope the brand suffers horribly as they enable hatred and ignorance.
20
You nailed it. The only thing that can save us from Trump is us.
8
I wish we could stop talking about her and her brothers by Ivana. They are the walking definition of vapid. Although the brothers do seem to be dumber and more boorish. Honestly, Lindy, no one is holding out hope that anyone named Trump or married to a Trump is going to do anything helpful to this country or its people. They are hard-wired to be 100% self-serving, regardless of the consequences to others.
18
The short definition of all Trumps: Highly opinionated but badly educated.
9
Sweat shops in China? No problem. China knows exactly how to cater to dynasties in power. Jail the whistleblowers.
I wish people were not so easily taken in by hair and makeup and a good figure. But that's the new world: infotainment for fun and profit is the ultimate goal.
I wish people were not so easily taken in by hair and makeup and a good figure. But that's the new world: infotainment for fun and profit is the ultimate goal.
12
Ivanka designs pretty handbags. I think that qualifies her to influence America's domestic and international policies. Don't you?
13
Slapping your name on something to which you had the most cursory of input is not being a designer, it's being a parasite, particularly when no credit is given to the actual artist.
I think the whole handbag fetish is absurd, but when you examine a pricey one closely, you see the thought that goes into it; they are not simple by any means to design, much less fabricate. This expertise eludes Ivanka as assuredly as anything a White House post would require.
I think the whole handbag fetish is absurd, but when you examine a pricey one closely, you see the thought that goes into it; they are not simple by any means to design, much less fabricate. This expertise eludes Ivanka as assuredly as anything a White House post would require.
3
Agree that Ivanka is a total phony. Just paying lip service and frankly is a rather dull and predictable individual. Benefit of doubt is long over. She's just like the rest of the Trumps, perhaps even worse as wolf dressed in sheep's clothes. Her self-help book for women was laughable and fake. Ms Trump is by no means exceptional in anyway except she was born into a wealthy family through no merit of her own. However, she is keen to survival, she knows to stay on good terms with her father, she knows to find a wealthy husband. In fact, she knows nothing about true female empowerment. All her life, she relies on the kindness of men in her life.
12
Ivanka was also shilling for Trump University back in the day. The year after I retired, I received a gold-embossed envelope with an invitation to attend a Trump University seminar—free of charge. The hook was that the glamorous and famous Ivanka Trump would be speaking, plus you got a free lunch. As we entered the auditorium, we received our programs and lunch tickets. To keep us in our seats until the bitter end, Ivanka was the last speaker on the schedule. It was a Saturday, the seminar was free, and I was curious to see how Ms. Trump handled herself on stage. Between each pitch, audience members were urged to get out their credit cards, head to the tables at the back of the room and spend thousands of their hard earned dollars on Trump U “courses” that would make them rich. After sitting for five hours in a stuffy auditorium and listening to endless slick pitches to buy Trump U. real estate/investment training packages, I gave up and left several hours before Ivanka came out to put her glossy seal of approval on Trump U. Let us not forget that while her father was already a sitting U.S. President, he paid an out-of-court $25 million settlement to head off a civil fraud trial with Trump U. victims. Can we assume that Ivanka knew full well what a scam Trump U. was? Hard to imagine that she didn’t. Just as she now helps to whitewash her father’s image in the White House, she also willingly served as the lipstick on the Trump U. pig.
30
Reading an article quoting Ivanka's mother Ivana, saying that when she told her daughter that she and Donald were divorcing Ivanka was primarily worried about whether or not she'd still be a "Trump" told me all I needed to know about her a long time ago.
16
Ivanka has no clue about working women and her track record as an employer demonstrates that she had no time to lighten the load of her female staff with things like paid maternity leave. She is certainly not a feminist.
There is no there, there as they say. Ivanka was raised to be a mobile mannequin, and she does look good in clothes. Better yet, she takes a really good picture. When the lights go out though, no one is home. Its all words, but there is no meaning. Substance over style, and ignorance over advocacy.
There is no there, there as they say. Ivanka was raised to be a mobile mannequin, and she does look good in clothes. Better yet, she takes a really good picture. When the lights go out though, no one is home. Its all words, but there is no meaning. Substance over style, and ignorance over advocacy.
13
great column, says what so many are avoiding. She is useless, always has been.
no values, no morals, no real purpose, no backbone, no sense.
no values, no morals, no real purpose, no backbone, no sense.
11
Trophy wife. Trophy daughter.
A trophy speaks only about the one to whom it was awarded. It says nothing about itself and advocates not for others.
A trophy speaks only about the one to whom it was awarded. It says nothing about itself and advocates not for others.
10
I have never, ever, felt the urge to post a comment after reading an article or opinion piece. However, after reading this brilliant piece I couldn't resist; it perfectly captures the very essence of Ivanka's shallow, vapid and meaningless "contributions" to her father's disgraceful and hate-filled presidency. How did our fellow countrymen and women get taken in by this band of carnival barkers who only seek to enrich themselves at every turn? It is writing like this, and direct action from all of us, that will pull us through these very dark times.
25
Maybe Ivanka learned something about the gender wage gap along the line of:
Women's advocates have long insisted employers pay women less than men for doing exactly the same work in the exact same occupations and careers.
Women's advocates also seem to think employers are greedy.
Thus they no doubt believe employers would hire only illegal immigrants for their lower labor cost if they could get away with it (many do get away with it), or would move their business to a cheap-labor country to save money, or would replace old workers with young ones for the same reason.
So why do these same advocates think employers would NOT hire only women if, as they say, employers DO get away with paying females at a lower rate than males for the same work?
Many of America's most sophisticated women choose to earn less than their male counterparts:
"Female physicians worked about 5 hours fewer per week than their male counterparts through age 54...." https://www.aamc.org/download/426242/data/ihsreportdownload.pdf?cm_mmc=A...
See: "Salary Secrecy — Discrimination Against Women?" http://malemattersusa.wordpress.com/2014/10/27/salary-secrecy-discrimina...
Women's advocates have long insisted employers pay women less than men for doing exactly the same work in the exact same occupations and careers.
Women's advocates also seem to think employers are greedy.
Thus they no doubt believe employers would hire only illegal immigrants for their lower labor cost if they could get away with it (many do get away with it), or would move their business to a cheap-labor country to save money, or would replace old workers with young ones for the same reason.
So why do these same advocates think employers would NOT hire only women if, as they say, employers DO get away with paying females at a lower rate than males for the same work?
Many of America's most sophisticated women choose to earn less than their male counterparts:
"Female physicians worked about 5 hours fewer per week than their male counterparts through age 54...." https://www.aamc.org/download/426242/data/ihsreportdownload.pdf?cm_mmc=A...
See: "Salary Secrecy — Discrimination Against Women?" http://malemattersusa.wordpress.com/2014/10/27/salary-secrecy-discrimina...
1
So, what you're saying is that women deserve to make less than men?
2
Some insanely rich kids have yachts and islands, Ivanka and Jared have the nation.. Excellent, I don't need to sleep for the next three and a half years.
16
How refreshing. An honest appraisal of Ivanka Trump.
One sentence in this essay bears repeating over and over:
"And, unfortunately for the entire planet, the word of a Trump isn't worth much."
The only change I would make to that sentence would be to replace the word "much" with the word "anything." Or better, rewrite it as follows:
And, unfortunately for the entire planet, the word of a Trump is utterly worthless.
One sentence in this essay bears repeating over and over:
"And, unfortunately for the entire planet, the word of a Trump isn't worth much."
The only change I would make to that sentence would be to replace the word "much" with the word "anything." Or better, rewrite it as follows:
And, unfortunately for the entire planet, the word of a Trump is utterly worthless.
16
This may be the 50th article I've read on this topic. Honestly it was always ridiculous to put any faith in Ivanka and/or Jared to do anything meaningful at all to mitigate King Trump. They are both privileged inexperienced self promoters who should have no role in governing this country and certainly would not risk anything to go against Trump himself. Please let's declare a moratorium on articles of this type and just work on getting some Democrats elected to the House, Senate, State Houses, etc the next go -round.
13
I don't feel Ms. Trump has the capacity or knowledge to advocate for women's rights. She has lived a very privileged sheltered life which makes her distant from what it is really like to be a working woman (often raising children) trying to just get through the day and make ends meet. Although her heart may be in the right place, she is not the champion for women; however, maybe she is for a certain class of women i.e. rich women. I sense a shallowness and lack of depth of the issues. Also the Trump Whitehouse does not appear to be supportive of a women's agenda even though they say they are. It feels like she is there to help legitimize her father and as a way for people ingratiate themselves to him.
11
A real advocate for women's power and prosperity would have nothing to do with Donald Trump and would fight him on everything.
16
If there is one thing I am sick of it's "branding." What this means is creating a fake persona to garner money from those impressed with and imitative of the illusion.
12
I used to puzzle over Ivanka's character. That was before I read the account of White House staffers (more than one) who have described her to journalists as being pleasant enough around the office until the moment when her father enters the room and she takes advantage of her power to cut down hapless staffers with a sly, nasty comment. Sometimes a door opens momentarily on someone's behavior and we catch a glimpse of their true character and that glimpse provides all the information one needs to know. My glimpse suggests she is insincere, duplicitious, manipulative and ruthless. That's the antithesis of feminism.
15
On this issue, we should try to be fair. She has not spoken or behaved inappropriately in any way. The real question is whether this is enough for me to praise her. I asked myself often what I would do if my idiotic father, who I love very much but with whom I disagree on politically, would run for President, especially on a platform of division and against women's rights and human rights. It is certain that I would not publicly support him, speak for him, accompany him on official trips and meetings. It is certain that I would not work alongside him. It is disturbing that she is doing that - in silence. But the truth is that I do not owe my career or my wealth to my crazy father and that I am able to have an identity of my own. She does not and has not for a very long time. That is why she can not / should not be trusted or praised. Until she shows active disapproval of her father's words and policies, she is NOT on the right side of history.
7
Every authoritarian dictator has a pretty daughter or wife to distract people from the horribleness of the regime. Someone who says all the right things to make them feel better but is ineffectual and complicit. Ivanka is her father's daughter. The author is right in describing her as nothing more than a brand. Trust nothing she says and continue to fight against the destruction of our democratic institutions.
13
All of the Trump children share the one quality that makes them unable to disagree with him--he is where the money comes from. Yes, Ivanka has Jared, too, but his views do not differ.
11
The trouble with most of the people criticizing Ivanka is they have no idea that ten million dollars just doesn't go as far as it used to a few years ago. She feels the pain of having to lower her expectations along with other women who find their incomes falling behind.
4
Net worth Ivanka and Jared, $740 million. You missed by at least an order of magnitude. But yet, $100 million doesn't go far, that's why she has to pay less than minimum wage to her Chinese workers.
7
Um, Slow Fuse - was that a joke?
I agree with the author that one can expect nothing from Ivanka Trump. For one thing she lacks any knowledge of the subject matters she has the nerve to voice an opinion on, outside the narrow scope of being an entrepreneur supported by Daddy in a business that involves no monetary risk on her part, for goodness sakes even her office is paid for by Daddy. Her pet project - empowering women in business is laughable when you compare it to work like Obama's mother Ann did regarding micro finance in developing economies and who actually went and worked with the women in these countries to put her ideas into effect. I don't expect anything from her; what I find annoying about her is her specious tweets on every subject -- tax reform, human rights, immigration, whatever comes up on Trump's agenda.
7
I wish to address the many comments that attribute Ivanka's moral and ethical failings to Donald's genes or to Donald's home environment. It is perfectly possible to rise above an evil family heritage, and many people have done so. To the extent that Ivanka has not, she owns the responsibility for her choices just like any other adult.
15
As long as society insists on letting appearances dictate what the truth is, we will always have people like the Trumps taking us all for a ride. Just because the Trump children look better and sound better (somewhat) than their father, it doesn't mean they are. It also doesn't mean he is. It was unbelievable how many people thought during the campaign that Donald couldn't be all bad if he had such nice children. The man had almost nothing to do with any of them until they were old enough to be of some use to him.
Donald uses everybody; his wives, his children--and us.
Donald uses everybody; his wives, his children--and us.
7
This young woman wouldn't go against her father if her life depended on it, and it does. Slandering others is one of the Don's primary weapons for those who are not with him. He would ruin her reputation just as readily as he would anyone.
ALL other people are props in his 'life fantasy', to be used at his whim. His family is no exception, and likely understand (as they have been trained since birth) that their very survival depends on their acquiescence.
ALL other people are props in his 'life fantasy', to be used at his whim. His family is no exception, and likely understand (as they have been trained since birth) that their very survival depends on their acquiescence.
8
"A real advocate for women’s autonomy would fight indefatigably for affordable health care and abortion access." -The ONLY thing many many many people like about Trump is the fact that they see HIM as an advocate for the unborn. This may be one of the secrets to his "success". For all those that would criticize the man, he got elected president. That is not easy. He did not just inherit the position.
1
He lost the popular vote by 3 million. In any other country, that would mean that his opponent, not him would be president.
16
To many of us the unborn have value and worth. Pro lifers had a friend in Donald Trump. We still do.
There is a thick silver and fur lining - the good riddance of ridiculous government regulations. Keep up the good work President Trump! The non-fake people love you! MAGA!
2
Nobody is more "fake" than this President.
10
Which 'ridiculous ' regulations do you mean? And have they been rescinded?
2
Lindy , you nailed it. Thanks.
20
Yes, Ivanka especially is playing her role in the Apprentice Presidency reality show. In the end her father decided to fire someone and she would always say good call. I read that Ivanka first checked the list of (vicious) campaign promises so as not to offer any advice against them. So it's pretty clear to all she's just there to market herself and her products.
34
#Acorns
4
The word of a Kushner is not worth much either, recent history shows. Don't anyone get your hopes up -- unless you're an attorney prepping either of the Kushners for their testimony. Then you can run your meter.
28
Trump put Ivanka in the white house for one reason; Ivanka 2020.
9
We've got better odds at being involved in WWIII than that.
2
Good point ... especially with how Trump is handling the Norh Kora situation. Nether the Chinese nor the Russians will countenance a nuclear response (or, worse, first strike) on NK. They will see that as a threat to them and respond accordingly and, presto, WWIII.
Brilliant. The sarcastic tone is spot on. Ivanka Trump is nothing more than a shill for her vapid, amoral, arrogant and money-grubbing father.
Of course this truth was perfectly echoed in one of last season's greatest SNL moments: "“Every man knows her name,” the ad’s narrator said in a voiceover. “Every woman knows her face. When she walks into a room, all eyes are on her. She’s Ivanka. And a woman like her deserves a fragrance all her own — a scent made just for her. Because she’s beautiful. She’s powerful. She’s … complicit.”
It's imperative to heed Ms. West's message and "fight what they do." RESIST! RESIST! RESIST!
Of course this truth was perfectly echoed in one of last season's greatest SNL moments: "“Every man knows her name,” the ad’s narrator said in a voiceover. “Every woman knows her face. When she walks into a room, all eyes are on her. She’s Ivanka. And a woman like her deserves a fragrance all her own — a scent made just for her. Because she’s beautiful. She’s powerful. She’s … complicit.”
It's imperative to heed Ms. West's message and "fight what they do." RESIST! RESIST! RESIST!
56
Ivanka Trump and her husband were not voted into office. She and her hubby do not have the skill set to be of any value to the American people. It will be a long time before this country will recoup from the disaster, that is known as Trump. The daughter cannot combat the forces of her father. They should just get out and run the family businesses.
38
All very true, except for one thing: to run the family businesses they are just perfectly happy where they are, in the White House -- that's a license to print money to them.
3
Nice piece. Never expected anything much from Ivanka or any of her siblings. I don't doubt that she's trying her best, though. Like their father, they just lack the worth ethic and ability to accomplish anything of substance. You can't expect anyone who has lived his/her entire life so far removed from the real world and the real struggle that people deal with every day to be equipped to do anything that smacks of the heroic or extraordinary. Based on the acumen for business and policy that the Donald has displayed as president, I think it's a miracle that he managed to not squander his moneyed birthright and end up completely destitute. I don't think he, or his kids, have two miracles in him.
18
Ivanka Trump's comment about the gender pay gap rule, "it would not have the intended result," reveals everything we need to know about this woman, an appalling dishonesty and an ability to manipulate the truth, also a hallmark of her father's presidency. The rule she opposed and the "intended result" were exactly the same, to gather data. it's the data that's lacking right now and the data that's needed to create policies to address the problem. One wonders how Ms. Trump expects to advance any agenda on equal pay without the data, but of course what's unusual about that in an administration that asserts at least once a day that we don't need evidence, we don't need facts, we don't need research; let's just make up stuff and sell it with lies and distortions.
33
Nepotism is nepotism, no matter how attractive, polished, rich, elegant and intelligent the presentation. It is not snarky or unfair to criticize Ivanka for her inconsistent pronouncements that count for nothing when the chips are down.
Let's recap:
A completely unqualified con-man gets elected with three million less votes. He refuses to release his taxes or divest. He is making money hand-over-fist from his presidency-fueled uptick in golf memberships and hotel reservations, including his D.C. Hotel which he should have sold since its U.S. government lease says it cannot be owned/run by a member of the government. He installs his completely clueless daughter and son-in-law as special advisors in the White House, notwithstanding the daughter's promise during a nationally televised pre-inauguration interview with Lesley Stahl that she would NOT be taking any position in the administration. We are frequently told she counseled her father against the very things he winds up doing, such as the transgender ban. So her advice doesn't seem to mean much. She advises against the interests of working women, most recently absolving businesses from supplying wage data by sex. Her husband forgets hundreds of things when applying for his security clearance- from assets, to business connections, to meeting with various Russians including the ones promising dirt on HRC.
This family, this daughter, this administration are all smoke and mirrors, built on sand and morally corrupt.
Let's recap:
A completely unqualified con-man gets elected with three million less votes. He refuses to release his taxes or divest. He is making money hand-over-fist from his presidency-fueled uptick in golf memberships and hotel reservations, including his D.C. Hotel which he should have sold since its U.S. government lease says it cannot be owned/run by a member of the government. He installs his completely clueless daughter and son-in-law as special advisors in the White House, notwithstanding the daughter's promise during a nationally televised pre-inauguration interview with Lesley Stahl that she would NOT be taking any position in the administration. We are frequently told she counseled her father against the very things he winds up doing, such as the transgender ban. So her advice doesn't seem to mean much. She advises against the interests of working women, most recently absolving businesses from supplying wage data by sex. Her husband forgets hundreds of things when applying for his security clearance- from assets, to business connections, to meeting with various Russians including the ones promising dirt on HRC.
This family, this daughter, this administration are all smoke and mirrors, built on sand and morally corrupt.
62
No. I do not expect anything from Ivanka since I saw her laughing and celebrating her dad saying he did not respect women. In a radio show. She is the female version of her father and submissive to him.
36
Where is Ivanka lately?? Has her lawyer told her to shut her mouth? Is she out "architecting" her defwnse?? When her dresses started turning up at stores, years ago, I instinctively recoiled when I accidently touched one. I have eschewed all Trump products for years, and I encourage all like minded Americans to do the same.
27
Why aren't we putting this on the person to whom it belongs? Ivanka Trump is a fraud. She has known who and what her father is for many years. She chose to endorse him. She stood by him through all of his execrable acts. While it is difficult to come out against her father--- and nobody is asking her to do so--- it is not so difficult to refuse to support him publicly. She could have taken a back seat in the campaign and now in the awful administration. She did not do so. So it is all on her.
29
That "she is more a logo than a person" might be the truest thing said about the entire Trump family. One big, ugly, empty, gold, five-lettered sign.
43
I agree. Ivanka is worthless. Time to send these carpetbaggers packing. I had thought Democracy in the U.S. was unassailable, but Trumpians and Russians have shown how easy it is to undermine. We must be vigilant and willing to work at maintaining our democratic way of life. Even some of our own citizens want to destroy it. Trump thinks he was elected king.
20
Smokey eyes and mirrors. How could anyone have ever believed she would "moderate" an administration that she actively promotes, but in which she has no official role of authority?
8
The assumption that she would be a moderating influence on this administration was based strictly on her gender. What has this woman ever done that would make ANYONE believe she would champion ANYTHING other than herself or her walking-pile-of-garbage Father?
16
He is a con-man. That she learned at her daddy's knee is no surprise. I never expected anything else.
24
How naive! Ivanka is the biological, pshycological, sociological offspring of this sociopath! Why would anybody think that she was different from him. Trump has taught his offspring to love only one person -- their own selves as long as they remain loyal to him first and foremost.
16
Sad and true.
7
The vapid daughter of Trump turns out to be just as damaging as her father. Say something and then immediately prove you don't care about it, and even worse, will go out of your way to destroy it. (Trump: We love the Dreamers.)
How there are still women standing in the rally camerahots of the donald I do NOT understand. We know he's a racist bigot. Now our beliefs that he also hates women are re-confirmed. Ivanka and Jared said nothing after the nazi stuff, and now this betrayal of women's rights. I guess the perks must be pretty good for the first family. The values are hideous.
How there are still women standing in the rally camerahots of the donald I do NOT understand. We know he's a racist bigot. Now our beliefs that he also hates women are re-confirmed. Ivanka and Jared said nothing after the nazi stuff, and now this betrayal of women's rights. I guess the perks must be pretty good for the first family. The values are hideous.
16
Trumps are faux sophisticated trolls. All of the silver polish in the world could not clean up this crowd. They are crude, rude, and in educated polite society they are unacceptable.
25
The day cannot come too soon when the entire t rump crime family moves to their permanent government housing: Chez Leavenworth.
Are members of our Armed Services who commit treason still executed by a firing squad, I wonder. That would be an appropriate fate for the so called man who currently occupies the White House. But only if he is convicted of treason. Or when.
Are members of our Armed Services who commit treason still executed by a firing squad, I wonder. That would be an appropriate fate for the so called man who currently occupies the White House. But only if he is convicted of treason. Or when.
7
Ivanka and Jared, two annoying flies buzzing around your kitchen and try as you might it is impossible to land a good whack that will rid you of the their intolerable buzz. But, why would anyone expect anything from this pair.
Victor
Victor
14
The op-ed states: Real question: Is anyone out there still waiting for Ivanka Trump to come through?"
Let's face it. The Trump children are Trumps. That means they are all scum, just like their father. For a while, Ivanka packaged the goodness effect and people hoped that Ivanka might do some good. But, she's really incapable of that because she's a Trump, devoid of humanity and full of pretense.
In my view, everything about Ivanka is fake---her pretend sophisticated voice and that oh-so-studied fashion walk. That she's a moron was demonstrated when she agreed to take a seat at the president's conference with world leaders. Any intelligent person would have declined the seat as inappropriate, but not our darling Ivanka.
In addition to foisting all that's bad on our country, Trump has saddled us with his kids, all of them awful and, in their own ways, as crooked as The Donald himself.
Rid us of the monsters!
Let's face it. The Trump children are Trumps. That means they are all scum, just like their father. For a while, Ivanka packaged the goodness effect and people hoped that Ivanka might do some good. But, she's really incapable of that because she's a Trump, devoid of humanity and full of pretense.
In my view, everything about Ivanka is fake---her pretend sophisticated voice and that oh-so-studied fashion walk. That she's a moron was demonstrated when she agreed to take a seat at the president's conference with world leaders. Any intelligent person would have declined the seat as inappropriate, but not our darling Ivanka.
In addition to foisting all that's bad on our country, Trump has saddled us with his kids, all of them awful and, in their own ways, as crooked as The Donald himself.
Rid us of the monsters!
17
"...Trump has saddled us with his kids, all of them awful and, in their own ways, as crooked as The Donald himself."
Yes, let's not forget that Don Jr. and Eric are big game hunters who've posed very very proudly with at least one dead tiger they hunted and shot and the severed tail of at least one elephant who met the same fate. I believe the dead tiger was draped over one of these assassins' shoulders for all the world to see. Proof positive can be found on the internet, unless these creeps got wise and had them deleted.
Yes, let's not forget that Don Jr. and Eric are big game hunters who've posed very very proudly with at least one dead tiger they hunted and shot and the severed tail of at least one elephant who met the same fate. I believe the dead tiger was draped over one of these assassins' shoulders for all the world to see. Proof positive can be found on the internet, unless these creeps got wise and had them deleted.
1
What a Snow job and the left feel for it. Ivanka was going to be to voice of reason to her daddy. Yeah well let me sell you a bridge. The Trumps are all for themselves. Ivanka history for the women who work for her is not so grand. She wants to help working women and men you can start by having your closeline made in America, Ivanka is no Patty Regan who was not afraid to stand up for what she belived.
7
Laughable. It's not the left that voted Trump and his clan of grifters into office -- and it's not the left that's keeping them there.
Try again.
Try again.
1
Who?
7
No one in this family has a background of doing anything for someone else that didn't benefit themselves, so why are we all surprised? No interest in public policy, no understanding of history, no understanding of civil rights history, and no evident respect for the constitution and rule of law. No. It is a very sad set of circumstances that have gotten us here. We have failed to educate our own citizens to the potential of the American experiment. When we aim for the stars we usually make it but when we stray in the gutter of division and ignorance we get what we have now. How many people even know what is happening in other countries and around the globe right now? Very few because this maniacal president is sucking up all the news oxygen with his destructive nonsense. He has pinned us down to our most base behavior and no one seems to have the power to contain him.
10
Why are People being "snarky" (as one writer describes responses to this article's discussion) about Ivanka's failure to influence her father to do some good, especially some good for women let alone the environment? Because Ivanka is like any highly hyped and expensive product that one buys and then gets home, opens the box only to find out the product doesn't do what the advertising said it would do. Disappointment is the source of the "snarky" comments about the "accomplished" and "beautiful" Ivanka Trump. The truth about the Trump family is that they love to disappoint (i.e., humiliate) their "customerrs" because the Trumps have learned that they can treat people very poorly and the suckers will keep coming back for more and the Trumps will continue to suck up the suckers' bucks and votes. The Trumps are sadists and their voters/supporters/customers are masochists.
9
Re: "Ivanka's failure to influence her father to do some good, especially some good for women"
In general, American women don't just enjoy better health and live longer than men, who on average die sooner and at a higher rate of the 12 leading causes of death. They as a group also control most of the consumer spending, which is about 70% of all economic activity in the US.
Even more striking, women control most of the nation's wealth. "Seventy-six percent of Americans believe that men control more wealth than women. But a new survey of Federal Reserve Board data reveals that women actually control 51.3% of personal wealth in the United States." pbs.org/ttc/headlines_economics_philanthropy.html
Soon women will control an even greater percentage of the wealth.
"Over the next decade, women will control two thirds of consumer wealth in the United States and be the beneficiaries of the largest transference of wealth in our country’s history. Estimates range from $12 to $40 trillion. Many Boomer women will experience a double inheritance windfall, from both parents and husband." -sheconomy.com/facts-on-women
The typical wife is younger than her husband by 2.5 years and she outlives him by five. Thus she enjoys her and her husband's wealth 7.5 years longer than the husband, who much more often than she created their wealth alone.
"Salary Secrecy — Discrimination Against Women?" malemattersusa.wordpress.com/2014/10/27/salary-secrecy-discrimination-ag...
In general, American women don't just enjoy better health and live longer than men, who on average die sooner and at a higher rate of the 12 leading causes of death. They as a group also control most of the consumer spending, which is about 70% of all economic activity in the US.
Even more striking, women control most of the nation's wealth. "Seventy-six percent of Americans believe that men control more wealth than women. But a new survey of Federal Reserve Board data reveals that women actually control 51.3% of personal wealth in the United States." pbs.org/ttc/headlines_economics_philanthropy.html
Soon women will control an even greater percentage of the wealth.
"Over the next decade, women will control two thirds of consumer wealth in the United States and be the beneficiaries of the largest transference of wealth in our country’s history. Estimates range from $12 to $40 trillion. Many Boomer women will experience a double inheritance windfall, from both parents and husband." -sheconomy.com/facts-on-women
The typical wife is younger than her husband by 2.5 years and she outlives him by five. Thus she enjoys her and her husband's wealth 7.5 years longer than the husband, who much more often than she created their wealth alone.
"Salary Secrecy — Discrimination Against Women?" malemattersusa.wordpress.com/2014/10/27/salary-secrecy-discrimination-ag...
She was taught from the best. Say whatever will get you the deal... then get out of town.
18
Looking at Ivanka the first thought that occurs is that famous saying of Gertrude Stein "there is no there there"! She is as shallow and self-centered and self referenced as her father, and it was foolish to imagine that she would somehow have a gentling influence on him. She is a whited sepulcre in the Biblical sense, and anyone who expects common decency from her will wait in vain.
22
It was obvious to anyone who listened with their eyes closed that she is not the white sheep in a black sheep family. Sure, she looks the part of the clean white sheep dressed in pearls but she blindly supports her father and married Jared, who comes from a similar morally bankrupt family. Playacting the part of a businesswoman was laughable to anyone who has ever started or run an actual business. She is a pretty sheep who licensed her inherited, fake family name. She is not a manufacturer, not a designer, not an entrepreneur in any real sense - and certainly not a champion of working women!
21
Over time, I was surprised at how dim Trump's kids are, but shouldn't have been (I mean acorn/tree?). This is a clan of Travelers, and nothing more.
25
Ivanka is in the White House to help with her father's optics. Nothing more.
Oh, yes! There is one more reason she was given a plumb White House job: to increase her business abroad, primarily China, the world's biggest market for her gaudy trinkets.
Oh, yes! There is one more reason she was given a plumb White House job: to increase her business abroad, primarily China, the world's biggest market for her gaudy trinkets.
27
So it seems most everyone associated with that family who have had it easy on the way up have no idea how to get their hands dirty themselves. That is what money is for. So, right why would we expect anything solid from a cabal of gas bags.
9
Trump is king and Ivanka is an American princess. We switched to an autocratic monarchy last November. Didn't you get the memo?
10
Mercantile feminism. But seriously folks, do you now watch television at all. You really should. If you don't, you are one of the reasons for the rise of Ivanka style feminism.
2
Come on..... it has been obvious from the get-go: This a family of GRIFTERS and most probably RICO criminals. This particular do-nothing is NOT qualified to do anything in public service let alone in the West Wing. WHY would anyone ever think otherwise.
This is a family totally devoid of any kindness, compassion, honesty, integrity, courage, dignity, intelligence.... no positive human quality exists in them, ALL OF THEM.
MR MUELLER, PLEASE HURRY!!
This is a family totally devoid of any kindness, compassion, honesty, integrity, courage, dignity, intelligence.... no positive human quality exists in them, ALL OF THEM.
MR MUELLER, PLEASE HURRY!!
29
Merely an actress in the American Horror Show run by her father. She is as vile as him, and her brothers as vile as her, and the current stepmother.....
All are phony and flimflam. How did America come to this? We must reflect and fight to get rid of this evil family. May the Good Lord help us to strike them down.
All are phony and flimflam. How did America come to this? We must reflect and fight to get rid of this evil family. May the Good Lord help us to strike them down.
14
Imagine if reality television never existed.
We wouldn't have Don the Con, Ivanka, and Jared in the White House to expand their fame and fortune.
We wouldn't have Don the Con, Ivanka, and Jared in the White House to expand their fame and fortune.
14
Ivan is in the White House to help with her father's optics. Nothing more. Oh, yes, there is one more reason she was given a plumb White House job: to increase her business abroad, primarily China, the world's biggest market for her gaudy trinkets.
5
"The bystanders have plenty to complain and feel smart about," say the Chinese whose cynical observation of talkers are based on seeing blowhards schooled in hundreds of schools of thoughts (about critical self-reflection nonetheless) and profit from criticizing those who at least try to do something. Ms. West should first try run for president ... and then write books to criticize whomever displeases her.
It helps if people who "at least try to do something" aren't breaking the nepotism law and profiting from their father's position as POTUS. Ivanka could have as easily stayed at home if she wanted to help people people and the taxpayer would be better off if she did, since it would cost $500 billion.
Fortunately, it's a non-starter since it doesn't help working women who don't earn enough to take tax deductions, but it does reimburse couples for their child care who earn up to $500,000 per year. The former desperately needs money for child care and get nothing, while the later doesn't need the money but get rewarded handsomely anyway.
Ivanka is a naive dilettante at best, living in a bubble of unimaginable wealth and privilege. Because she was born on third base she doesn't realize that she doesn't have the experience and depth of knowledge to be making major decisions in the WH. She and jared favored firing Comey because they understood he was a threat to themselves and her father, without understanding that the act would constitute obstruction of justice. And they loved the idea of "The Mooch" being communications director for the office of most prestigious and powerful man on earth. Neither she nor her husband belong in the WH and as to her feminist bona fides, she's pretty clueless about what that means.
Fortunately, it's a non-starter since it doesn't help working women who don't earn enough to take tax deductions, but it does reimburse couples for their child care who earn up to $500,000 per year. The former desperately needs money for child care and get nothing, while the later doesn't need the money but get rewarded handsomely anyway.
Ivanka is a naive dilettante at best, living in a bubble of unimaginable wealth and privilege. Because she was born on third base she doesn't realize that she doesn't have the experience and depth of knowledge to be making major decisions in the WH. She and jared favored firing Comey because they understood he was a threat to themselves and her father, without understanding that the act would constitute obstruction of justice. And they loved the idea of "The Mooch" being communications director for the office of most prestigious and powerful man on earth. Neither she nor her husband belong in the WH and as to her feminist bona fides, she's pretty clueless about what that means.
10
"those who at least try to do something"
Noone in this administration istration is trying to do anything but make money. What a pathetic attempt at defending the indefensible.
Noone in this administration istration is trying to do anything but make money. What a pathetic attempt at defending the indefensible.
2
SNL had it 100% right. COMPLICIT.
10
She reeks of Complicit. That famous scent, which smells like Houston's toxic hydrocarbon laden air, can be purchased at SNL.com, or so I hear.
6
Why would anyone think Ivanka would openly disagree with her father to the press? What straws were you grasping at?
2
Lindy West! Hilarious and absolutely dead-on analysis.
11
When I saw the picture of her in the article I immediately thought of Eva Peron.
Arrogant, smug and essentially useless.
Arrogant, smug and essentially useless.
10
PS To say she is a role model for women is an insult to women...
13
We all know that Ivanka only wants to be seen, posing in all of her glory and merchandise. Nothing else. Greed, no ethics or morals. Just like the pretender in the white house.
7
It looks like Ivanka failed to use the correct PR firm to plant their stories. She should return who she and Jared was using before to plant their rosy stories.
2
She only pretends to care about women's issues when she is trying to sell them shoes and jewelry. She found her target market and stuck with it. Unfortunately, that target market is the victim of a lot of her dad's policies.
4
On Fox and Friends Ivanka Trump decried the viciousness of Washington. “There’s a level of viciousness that I was not expecting,” she said. “I was not expecting the intensity of this experience.”
Like her daddy, the Liar-in-Chief, she's adept at distracting and blaming others rather than processing the many astute assessments – vicious and otherwise - of their charlatan-laden family. Take responsibility or self-assess? Analyze the comments? Be a better person? Nah, that’s for losers.
Like her daddy, the Liar-in-Chief, she's adept at distracting and blaming others rather than processing the many astute assessments – vicious and otherwise - of their charlatan-laden family. Take responsibility or self-assess? Analyze the comments? Be a better person? Nah, that’s for losers.
13
Her politics are as breathy and fake as her voice.
12
Hahahahahaha..."A scarecrow stuffed with branding." Nailed it! Thanks for the laugh. Gallows humor to be sure, but at this point, things have been so abysmally bleak I'll take what I can get.
7
I never thought Ivanka would change Trump's mind about anything. She's his daughter and she was not going to go against him, especially publicly. She's a Christmas ornament; shiny and polished but nothing more. She's a joke, her father is a joke and I hope they know how much the world loathes them. That this nouveau riche family is in the White House is an abomination. They're obviously incompetent and ignorant but worse, they're also craven, milking their undeserved positions for all the money they can make.
5
She is a carved, starved, and dyed accessory for a rich man who is old, facially challenged or has tiny hands, sometimes all three. As are her sisters-in-law, that Mnuchin woman and so many others. Somewhere out there is a factory where they are still manufacturing Stepford wives.
5
Ivanka is simply a product of her upbringing. Spoiled, entitled, and ignorant. All generations of the Trump family apparently abide by the same standards when it comes to child rearing.
7
Whenever I think the art of writing is dead, a great writer shows me differently. "She is more a logo than a person, a scarecrow stuffed with branding, an heiress-turned-model-turned-multimillionaire’s-wife playacting as an authority on the challenges facing working women so that she can sell more pastel sheath dresses." Now there's a sentence I wish I had written! Brilliant!
15
She is terrible just like her father and her brothers and her husband. I never thought she would be anything but terrible and worthless and useless just like her father her brothers and her husband and her stepmother too.
3
Ivanka is as bogus as her platitudinous book, while claiming to "empower" women, is no more than a gushing and embarrassing self-tribute. Ivanka's resume is a catalogue of million dollar failure--Trump Soho, Trump Baja, Trump Rio, Trump Rio, Trump Baku, Trump Toronto, her flagship store and her fine jewelry line. Then see whom she chooses as business partners--Felix Sater and Moshe Lax--and the judgment the socialite heiress really has.
5
This Mini-Me grifter, like her father, simply offers empty words from an emptier head.
7
Apparently this is not Ivanka's obituary, despite her failure to close the gender wage gap. Or even give it a half-hearted effort. Like her daddy, she strikes me as a well-dressed,coiffed grifter. Interested only in selling her schmatas, and other assorted tchotchkes.Her true mission in D.C. is to sell her brand. Nothing more,nothing less. To sum up, don't send a cat to deliver cream.
4
Ivanka Trump was not elected president. Her father was. Can we please stop running articles that attack women for not doing a good job at jobs that are LITERALLY ARE NOT EVEN THEIRS TO DO?? I hate Donald Trump but Ivanka is simply his daughter and nothing more.
While neither Ivanka not her husband were elected, they were subsequently elevated to positions of power and influence in defiance of reasonable restrictions on nepotism. Under the circumstances, either/both of them are legitimate targets for political analysis and even verbal attack. Given the way the entire Trump family has been enmeshed in the political structure, the same can be said for Don Jr. and Eric. I completely exempt Barron and Tiffany as they are either too young to be involved or have stayed out of the whole situation and deserve to be left in peace.
14
She has an office in the White House. She appeared on the campaign trail. She pushes his policies on talk shows. If she just disappears she wouldn't get any press. She has been named as an advisor. It is fair to criticize the advice she gives or doesn't give since that is what she is supposed to be doing. And no, you don't despise Trump.
5
If she doesn't want to be "attacked," she should quit pretending she cares about the issues.
2
Well at least Melania is tackling that whole cyber bullying thing. Oh wait...
Never mind.
Never mind.
9
No one suffers the wrath of a feminist more than another woman. Remembers the attacks on Hillary? Hillary, for cripe's sake.
Misogyny. Pure and simple. Why do progressives cannibalize their own?
Misogyny. Pure and simple. Why do progressives cannibalize their own?
1
Ivanka is not and never has been one of progressive's "own". That's what the article states so beautifully. The Trump machine tried to sell her as that, but most progressives weren't buying their product then and none are now. So why, exactly, would you want to defend her? And what in God's name does Ivanka have to do with Hillary, other than they are both women? Absolutely nothing.
3
A woman who publicly announces that she is taking on the pursuit of equal pay for women, family leave, and global female entrepreneurship and then demeans those causes by defining herself and her work as apolitical is not a progressive. She's there to reel in the occasionally left-swaying women bound by marriage or birth to male fans of her father. You can't pawn Ivanka off on us.
3
You don't make sense posting this comment following an article about Ivanka Trump. She could hardly be described as a Progressive. I for one at least do not consider her "one of my own." If you are talking about Hillary Clinton you are posting on the wrong article.
1
WMK is a brilliant satire account. Right?
9
Imagine, as First Child, special adviser to the President, and in a position of great power and influence, the enormous good that could be achieved? All it would take is a touch of imagination, a faint desire to serve, some notion of honor, dignity and integrity. Yet the First Daughter has achieved nothing. Zip. Nada.
Even as a latter-day Lucrezia Borgia she fails, unsurprising given she has the character of a windsock in dead calm, the purpose of a sloth during hibernation, the credibility of...well, her father.
Void of any serious imagination or intellect, Ivanka has nothing to offer the nation and we're still guessing as to what she actually does in the White House?
Whereas her father and 2 brothers inspire contempt for their actions, she inspires contempt for her inaction. She is the embodiment of entitlement made yet more distasteful by her pointlessness. Yes, she does a fair, chin-holding, middle-distance pouty stare, but that's it. There is nothing else.
One almost hopes she's a new Moriarty, (she may be, who knows?), at least that would show a pulse beating behind that lifeless shell.
Even as a latter-day Lucrezia Borgia she fails, unsurprising given she has the character of a windsock in dead calm, the purpose of a sloth during hibernation, the credibility of...well, her father.
Void of any serious imagination or intellect, Ivanka has nothing to offer the nation and we're still guessing as to what she actually does in the White House?
Whereas her father and 2 brothers inspire contempt for their actions, she inspires contempt for her inaction. She is the embodiment of entitlement made yet more distasteful by her pointlessness. Yes, she does a fair, chin-holding, middle-distance pouty stare, but that's it. There is nothing else.
One almost hopes she's a new Moriarty, (she may be, who knows?), at least that would show a pulse beating behind that lifeless shell.
19
It would also require a White House interested in doing good. This White House has no such interest.
1
I haven't thought about Ivanka Trump in months and I intend to keep doing so.
14
An excellent, devastatingly true piece!! Unfortunately, Ivanka isn't the only celebrity woman sashaying through the media on high heels, BIG WORDS on her pouty lips, like "feminism", the most abused and misused word in recent history. She is a member of the ever growing FFF- meaning Fake Feminism Faction - a huge club of certain rich, safe, boring wives, entertainers and entrepreneurs claiming they "care" passionately about supporting "women's issues" and not very rich, safe and fancy working women of all ages and colors. No, Dad won't listen to you, Ivy! IF you ever get a word in. You've got to grow up, leave Daddy and become an independent spirit not a caricature.
6
Ivanka Trump is a Trump. End of story
Trumps lie, steal, exploit the weak, and say whatever they judge will sell whatever scam they are selling.
Jared Kushner is a Kushner, a scam artist, who's lied about everything.
People have been fooling themselves thinking ANYONE connected with the Trump family can be believed or trusted. That's just a fact.
Trumps lie, steal, exploit the weak, and say whatever they judge will sell whatever scam they are selling.
Jared Kushner is a Kushner, a scam artist, who's lied about everything.
People have been fooling themselves thinking ANYONE connected with the Trump family can be believed or trusted. That's just a fact.
19
Trump and his family are a sick joke played on the American people by the Republican Party. We must throw all of these people out of power and recover our nation from those who humiliate us and put us at great risk daily. Turn out the vote starting in 2018 and put an end to the abuse of our electoral system.
11
Lindy. You're a treasure. Thank you for saying it the way you do.
11
I agree with you 100%, Ms. West - but talking about her outfits/dresses is off topic and has no bearing on her agency to speak out.
Thanks!
Thanks!
1
I heard Sarah Ellison in an interview ask "who do Ivanka and Jared think they are?" Exactly. What narcissism to think they can solve the wage gap or peace in the Middle East when experts who have devoted their lives to these issues have not? It's delusional at best and psychotic at worst.
15
Apparently this had to be said for the sake of those finding themselves—despite their better inclinations—living in a pseudo-reality populated by Kellyanne's "alternative facts" and hoping against hope what they say about the Kushners' "moderating influence" is true.
For those of us with our feet firmly planted on earth, the Jared and Ivanka are a pair of charlatans, eager to profit off the Donald's presidency while wearing Ivanka Trump® couture Mantles of Decency.
This article is spot on and brilliant. Thanks, Lindy West.
For those of us with our feet firmly planted on earth, the Jared and Ivanka are a pair of charlatans, eager to profit off the Donald's presidency while wearing Ivanka Trump® couture Mantles of Decency.
This article is spot on and brilliant. Thanks, Lindy West.
12
This is the kind of clarity and force that will be needed to fight and then repair the horrific Trump reign of terror.
6
Love this" She is more a logo than a person.
15
“Ultimately,” Ms. Trump explained, “while I believe the intention was good and agree that pay transparency is important, the proposed policy would not yield the intended results.”
Goo Lord, why in the world would ANYONE take this woman's word for it?
Goo Lord, why in the world would ANYONE take this woman's word for it?
9
It makes you appreciate your own parents. Is it any wonder that Ivanka appears so bereft of genuine empathy or substance when you consider who was in charge of teaching her values and showering her with affection? Let's be the person we'd like to see Ivanka be.
4
How many times must it be pointed out? Trumpworld is a big reality TV show. And the Trumps know how to grab the limelight. Ivanka is one of the best at it. Don't expect substance or meaningful accomplishment. It's all about popularity and ratings. As the saying goes, any publicity is good publicity. Lies and good-sounding statements are considered successful if they win attention.
9
This opinion is so right...Yes, he does not care what his family thinks...only what he thinks is the thing to do...my main thoughts lately have been , How am I going to reach the seniors at my center, for the up coming election...about half of them voted for trumps ideas, many disliked hillary, mainly because of the LA times and NY times...most don't want to talk about trump.
5
Ivanka Trump is the Cersei Lannister of the Trump clan. By that I DO NOT mean that she is a vindictive, vengeful, murderous tyrant. Rather I mean that like Cersei she paid close attention to the lessons her father taught her both formally and informally by his actions, She learned those lessons well and is now applying them. Like Cersei she is smarter and more capable than her brothers. She is always right on message. Finally, like Cersei she is her father's daughter willing to do whatever it takes to stay in power. She is no breaker of chains.
5
Why did anyone expect great things from Ivanka Trump? The only thing she is qualified to do is peddle over priced shoes and handbags and then only because her father is wealthy and got her started. Both she and her husband are uniquely qualified to do nothing because they know nothing.
12
Does Ivanka wear the clothes I have seen with her name in Marshall's? When I look at her on the news or in photos, she is exudes haughtiness. Her style emits disdain and says "I am a princess and you are not". She is not Kate Middleton, who personifies dignity. And,oh, I do not believe for a minute, she gives a whit about real women.
14
Dear Ivanka,
I hope you read the comments and have a really awful day.
But remember, your father created an even much worse day for about 800,000 hardworking people.
I hope you read the comments and have a really awful day.
But remember, your father created an even much worse day for about 800,000 hardworking people.
20
Ivanka Trump is a prop to be trotted out whenever Daddy Dearest Donnie is in a bit of hot water. We need to know that she's complicit, (learn the word it's going to be in your bio Ms. Trump,) and just as corrupt as her father, just better looking and thin. But don't blame her, she's a product of a dysfunctional family, and doesn't know any better. Looking to Ivanka to help push women's issues is like asking Donnie (Fredo) Trump Jr. to save lions and tigers and bears, Oh my, that's not going to happen.
12
If you want a window into the "Ivanka world" watch the 2003 documentary film "Born Rich" that provides a few uncanny glimpses into the early life of the country’s future “first lady.” and her wealthy peers. She tells a story about walking down Fifth Avenue with her father around the time of his divorce from her mother, when Ivanka was 9 or 10 years old. They saw a homeless man sitting outside Trump Tower. “I remember my father pointing to him and saying ‘You know, that guy has 8 billion dollars more than me,’ because he was in such extreme debt at that point,” she recalls. “It makes me all the more proud of my parents, that they got through that" It is bizarre and eye opening that Ivanka in the middle of a parental upheaval a divorce, believed that her father was not actually poorer than the homeless man sitting outside the building with her last name on it. A place she can enter with a door person saying "Hello Mr Trump and Ivanka" and the homeless man continues to sit on the street, rain or shine.
11
This anecdote is eerily like the Gospel story in Luke (Luke 16:19-31); the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. Ms. Trump should reflect on who ended up in Hell in that story (hint: it wasn't the homeless guy).
4
Brava, Lindy West.
Ivanka, like Trump and the rest of his lewd brood, has spent her gilded penthouse life detached from everyday people and events, giving her little empathy for their struggles or ambitions — except as it relates to furthering her own licensing deals or making her life more comfortable. There is scant substance behind the outward personas of this family, a tacky brass and gold-plated reality-tv nightmare occupying our White House, carnival barkers who are only there to make a buck. Ivanka is as far away from 'feminist' as one could be.
Ivanka, like Trump and the rest of his lewd brood, has spent her gilded penthouse life detached from everyday people and events, giving her little empathy for their struggles or ambitions — except as it relates to furthering her own licensing deals or making her life more comfortable. There is scant substance behind the outward personas of this family, a tacky brass and gold-plated reality-tv nightmare occupying our White House, carnival barkers who are only there to make a buck. Ivanka is as far away from 'feminist' as one could be.
10
The most salient point of this article: "Why do we pay her any attention at all?"
7
Thank you, Lindy, for stating what needs to be said. Ivanka sounds better and looks better than her father; she is just a better packaged Trump. An apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Or as we say in Japan, a tadpole is still a baby frog.
7
Why were people so willing to believe that she would be a "moderating influence?" She's no different than the rest of the family (though we'll leave Tiffany and Baron out of it for now).
The only difference between her and her father and brothers is that she's attractive. People tend to give pretty women the benefit of the doubt. But even if she were trying ... how seriously has her father ever taken the words of a pretty woman?
The only difference between her and her father and brothers is that she's attractive. People tend to give pretty women the benefit of the doubt. But even if she were trying ... how seriously has her father ever taken the words of a pretty woman?
3
She is merely the Princess to her Daddy King. She married an entitled and out-of-touch fellow millionaire. Marriage or merger. Who knows? But one thing has been abundantly clear from the beginning: Ivanka knows nothing, will do nothing, can do nothing, and is enjoying this perceived but made up and exalted role as Trump whisperer. She will not champion women's causes and she will do nothing to make the world better for working families. Because she doesn't have to and she completely lacks understanding and empathy.
12
What's the Hollywood elevator pitch to describe the Trump presidency? A reality show that's half Dynasty, half House of Cards, but more incompetent? A These characters we're watching are just a distraction from the business that's going down behind the scenes. (I recently heard that all EPA grants will be reviewed by a WH appointee rather than peer reviewed-- so much for science!) These people are bent on enriching themselves, and their cronies, while waving the flag, and scapegoating emigrants. For what it's worth, I never expected anything from Ivanka. She's old enough to see her father for what he is: a lying sociopath. Yet she's his most ardent defender.
7
Predominant US religion, the cult of individualism, is manifesting itself clearly through a royal family:
"The Trump Doctrine is to say whatever makes you feel good and do whatever makes you the most money..." with a certain "fetish for calamity."
"The Trump Doctrine is to say whatever makes you feel good and do whatever makes you the most money..." with a certain "fetish for calamity."
3
Lack of conscience, lack of compassion for all living creatures, vanity, cruelty, narcissism, greed (shall I continue?) define Trump and his whole family. The daughter royal, Ivanka, pretends to be more enlightened but she is a manipulative hypocrite.
9
As the saying goes, the apple doesn't fall too far from the horse.
4
This woman is fake from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. She always has her game face on - trying to look serious, concerned, caring, and thoughtful, while manicured within an inch of her life. What an empty facade.
Great article.
Great article.
9
Very well said. We knew that the trump clan was a pack of jackals before the election so why would anyone have an expectations as to Ivanka. She is her fathers daughter.
6
In response to Ms.Ellison, do you really think someone or anyone pays attention to Ivanka?
1
I am not really surprised by the awfulness of any specific act of the Trumps or their administration.
I am a bit breathless about the scope, breadth, and pettiness of how they are applying their awfulness.
I am heartened -- a tiny bit -- by their bumbling fecklessness at achieving anything that requires legislation or is in any way not simple.
Who knew ruining America could be so complicated?
I am a bit breathless about the scope, breadth, and pettiness of how they are applying their awfulness.
I am heartened -- a tiny bit -- by their bumbling fecklessness at achieving anything that requires legislation or is in any way not simple.
Who knew ruining America could be so complicated?
6
I do hope that ivanKA reads this opinion piece and many of the Reader's Picks comments. Together, they can't help but pierce her intellect, if not her heart. This is some very astute armchair therapy that (in a way that she might appreciate) costs her nothing... but her self-deception.
3
By not championing, or at least attempting to follow through on, women/trans/gay/Muslim/DACA issues, she's following the example of her father by pandering to (the majority of) his base.
3
There are only a couple of things we need to know about Ms. Trump.
- Her father cheated on, humiliated, and dumped her mother. Yet her she is, joined at the hip to him. So let's see: on one hand integrity, decency, loyalty; on the other...money. Hmm, bet she thought about that for, oh, about .02 of a second.
- Had she been born, say, Irene Thomas, she'd be working at the cosmetics counter in a Midwestern mall department store. Instead of being worth upwards of $750 million, she'd have around $7,500 in her checking and savings accounts.
- Her father cheated on, humiliated, and dumped her mother. Yet her she is, joined at the hip to him. So let's see: on one hand integrity, decency, loyalty; on the other...money. Hmm, bet she thought about that for, oh, about .02 of a second.
- Had she been born, say, Irene Thomas, she'd be working at the cosmetics counter in a Midwestern mall department store. Instead of being worth upwards of $750 million, she'd have around $7,500 in her checking and savings accounts.
6
Thank you Lindy !!! Break this bubble around her for all those who cant see past the placid smiles to the total lack of experience for a seat at the table she does not deserve at all.
Its all about brand, selling and money. Hype hype hype. She will be skiing in Vail when DACA begins.
Of course she cannot say anything against her father's policies, that would be way too brave it would require courage and the risk of banishment. Maybe even make him mad and have a temper tantrum.
Its all about brand, selling and money. Hype hype hype. She will be skiing in Vail when DACA begins.
Of course she cannot say anything against her father's policies, that would be way too brave it would require courage and the risk of banishment. Maybe even make him mad and have a temper tantrum.
5
Android. After either nuclear or natural disaster, she'd still be standing, repeating "empowerment, empowerment" like the robot she really is. She'd market Torah pointers as eyeliner applicators to the base, just for extra bucks.
4
So what's the problem? Child care, health care, whatever--all a woman has to do is be rich!
3
I think that her marrying a slum Lord really says it all. Clearly she shares the Trump family values and wantd to perpetuate them. Pretty in Pink . The Trump family eye candy. And where did you say where her clothes are made and by whom?
7
I'm thinking Ivanka will show you! She will petition for the next "I" hurricane to be named Ivanka and then you'll see how destructive she can be.
4
Apart from giving Trump haters more red meat, I'm not sure that Ivanka has any news relevance whatsoever.
1
Oh no, I guess I shouldn't count on Ryan and McConnell to round up their spineless, cowardly and perhaps evil, fellow elected Republicans and decide to get this monster out of our presidency.
And I guess not the cabinet or the 25th amendment either...
And I guess not the cabinet or the 25th amendment either...
4
People continue to give the Trumps and their closest cohorts and friends in Washington a break because of one gigantic elephant in the room of far too many Americans. That elephant consists of the supposed American dream where if you work real hard, are a little bit lucky, or are a professional gold digger, you too could end up like Donald Trump or a real housewife of Atlanta, Potomac, or New Jersey. Americans are obsessed with what is happening with this celebrity, sports star, Wall Street, or that model and her latest dress at some film festival or awards show. Secretly they fantasize about the rich and famous and hold a place near and dear for these often times, vapid soulless shells of glamour and riches. At the end of the day they feel a little bit guilty because someone like a Donald Trump cant be all bad ...I mean look at how much money he has, or how much he has made! This is the way many Americans look at this whole debacle. Sad to sat that for all of those people who never vote or rarely vote this is what makes their world turn when it comes to folks like the Trumps.
3
"repeatedly near a camera while wearing a blush-pink toggle coat."
"Some heroes wear capelets."
Always nice to see "enlightened" feminists attack opponents using demeaning gender stereotypes. No hypocrisy here - sarcasm.
"Some heroes wear capelets."
Always nice to see "enlightened" feminists attack opponents using demeaning gender stereotypes. No hypocrisy here - sarcasm.
1
Ivanks demeans herself. She doesn't need any help.
2
I could not possibly agree with this opinion more. It is time to stop paying attention to Ivanka Trump. She has no qualification for being a presidential advisor, and if her policy beliefs are so significantly different from that of the president and, yet, the president perseveres, her lack of qualification is surpassed by her ineffectiveness.
Being brutally honest, one of the reasons Ivanka gets so much attention is because she is pretty. As somebody who hoped I may see in my lifetime women viewed as people beyond the 'window dressing', I find the amount of attention lavished on somebody who has done nothing but looks good disappointing.....to put it mildly.
The only people who can change this train wreck of a presidency are the voters. Nobody inside the White House is going to do it. And nobody currently in Congress is going to do it. But the next election can change that latter point. And the election of 2020 can, finally, change everything.
Being brutally honest, one of the reasons Ivanka gets so much attention is because she is pretty. As somebody who hoped I may see in my lifetime women viewed as people beyond the 'window dressing', I find the amount of attention lavished on somebody who has done nothing but looks good disappointing.....to put it mildly.
The only people who can change this train wreck of a presidency are the voters. Nobody inside the White House is going to do it. And nobody currently in Congress is going to do it. But the next election can change that latter point. And the election of 2020 can, finally, change everything.
12
She is more poised than pretty.
1
Allowing businesses to stop reporting gender data on the grounds it won't help create parity is partly correct - IF there are no additional requirements that corrections be made. Having data would expose the problem. Hiding the data hides the problem. Look, there's no problem.....more evidence of Trump's real feelings about women...out of sight unless conforming to his favored stereotypes.
4
I hope somebody close to her sends her this op-ed. And I hope she reads all of these brilliant comments!
8
You assume that she reads. She is like her father, lacks any intelligence and culture. An empty suit.
1
Even if this apple does appear to fall far from the tree, in this case, the tree is infected with a blight that may destroy the entire forest.
6
The Trumps come from a world of customer service. When the customer is upset, the best thing to do is not solve the actual problem - but instead show that you care and you are doing your best in a difficult situation. Even if the problem is unresolved, the customer is often happy to have been shown empathy.
This is Ivanka's job in Trump Inc. She's there to empathize with and placate the unhappy, specializing in customers of the moderate white female segment. She is not there to fix anything or move policy. Expecting Ivanka to deliver anything but empty platitudes is to misunderstand her role.
This is Ivanka's job in Trump Inc. She's there to empathize with and placate the unhappy, specializing in customers of the moderate white female segment. She is not there to fix anything or move policy. Expecting Ivanka to deliver anything but empty platitudes is to misunderstand her role.
8
Every time I see or hear from The Trumps, any of them, I am reminded of the Stepford Wives. Men and women, children and grownups, the entire family has about about them of Stepfordism. They look alike, dress alike, smile alike, and all of them, as this article about Ivanka points out, think alike and have not been programmed for any original content or behavior.
6
Ivanka should be ashamed for more than women's issues.
She is the beneficiary of the best, most expensive educational opportunities in the world. You know what she should have done starting the day after her father was elected?
She's reportedly the one who talked him into running. She had an overwhelming obligation -- to her country, to the world -- to roll up her pastel sleeves and become an expert on how the White House works, the intricacies of governance, and the specifics of the legislative proposals facing the 45th administration.
It has become obvious that Trump has no one whom he trusts with the expertise a President needs. True, his malignant narcissism is a handicap to following the best advice. But Ivanka could have ameliorated some of the mind-numbing incompetence -- by for example stuffing a sock in her husband's stunningly idiotic advice to fire Comey.
What did she do instead? Her hair and make-up.
Her sins go beyond the lie that she is good for working women.
She is the beneficiary of the best, most expensive educational opportunities in the world. You know what she should have done starting the day after her father was elected?
She's reportedly the one who talked him into running. She had an overwhelming obligation -- to her country, to the world -- to roll up her pastel sleeves and become an expert on how the White House works, the intricacies of governance, and the specifics of the legislative proposals facing the 45th administration.
It has become obvious that Trump has no one whom he trusts with the expertise a President needs. True, his malignant narcissism is a handicap to following the best advice. But Ivanka could have ameliorated some of the mind-numbing incompetence -- by for example stuffing a sock in her husband's stunningly idiotic advice to fire Comey.
What did she do instead? Her hair and make-up.
Her sins go beyond the lie that she is good for working women.
7
The little apple, improved by a number of plastic surgeries, certainly didn't fall far from the tree. The Trumps are working only for themselves and their unprincipled, greedy, vacuous way of life.
6
Lindy, you really wield the pen magnificently. Thank you for this devastating piece. I agree that we must stop waiting for "the grownups" to save us -- we have to save ourselves.
8
The Trump kids are poster children for what is wrong with nepotism at high levels. Yes, Don has managed to command a very visible persona in real estate, TV, and now politics. Certainly debatable whether that was enough to cause the country to give him the reins to leadership of the free world. But can anyone point to even one career accomplishment of his kids and in-laws that in any way, shape or form recommends them to White House offices?
4
Tiffany, whose mother decamped with her to the West Coast, is enrolled as a 1L at Georgetown Law. And poor Barron is growing up in the fishbowl on 16th Street. I don't expect them to save us. I hope they can save themselves. Ivana's kids are no help to anyone but their own circle.
2
@Lawyermom -- Actually, Barron is the only one in that clan I have any shred of sympathy for, at least for now anyway. People don't get to choose their families, and he appears to be a decent-enough kid, from what I can see.
2
SNL said it best in their spoof of an Ivanka would be perfume. Complicit.
No surprise there. The question that begs answering is whether her "let them eat cake" behavior is rooted in ignorance or in indifference .
My money is on the former believe it or not.
No surprise there. The question that begs answering is whether her "let them eat cake" behavior is rooted in ignorance or in indifference .
My money is on the former believe it or not.
5
Bravo!
Ivanka would be just another vacuous social climber had her father not stolen the election. This fact alone would cow most people..but Ivanka is not most people. She saw a chance to elevate herself beyond the higher New York social circles she aspired to, to show them that they were so wrong to exclude trumps. Talk about a backfire!
I grew up in New York and know the trump's are to be avoided, not necessarily shirked but one becomes too busy or sees another group across the room and must hurry over. Yeah, it's like that in New York,....and in DC too.
Ivanka would be just another vacuous social climber had her father not stolen the election. This fact alone would cow most people..but Ivanka is not most people. She saw a chance to elevate herself beyond the higher New York social circles she aspired to, to show them that they were so wrong to exclude trumps. Talk about a backfire!
I grew up in New York and know the trump's are to be avoided, not necessarily shirked but one becomes too busy or sees another group across the room and must hurry over. Yeah, it's like that in New York,....and in DC too.
4
By now we all know too well: there is no relationship between truth and words from a Trump's mouth. Ivanka uses her position to put her clothes into photo ops and for her own personal "brand"/aggrandizement.
The Trump school of governance is obviously akin to the Trump school of business: graft, dishonesty and greed --it's all good.
The Trump school of governance is obviously akin to the Trump school of business: graft, dishonesty and greed --it's all good.
3
There is a right wing book, on the Clinton's, named "Cash and Carry". Ironic, when the Trump's are the very personification of cash and carry.
5
Greed seems to be the motivating factor for all of the trump family. Ivanka may actually believe that womens' equality is one of her deeply held principles, but the underlying deeply held principle is do whatever is necessary to advance trump economic interests. In retrospect her lip service to equality seems to be meaningless except insofar as it helped dear old dad get elected where he could make piles more money. It would be pathetic if it weren't for the economic and social costs to the rest of us. It was pretty obvious even before the election. Too bad so many of us fell for it.
292
Ivanka's literary foray quoting Nietzsche: " "Our vanity, our self-love, promotes the cult of the genius," My personal paraphrase of Nietzsche is "Whatever doesn't destroy them makes me sad."
6
It's writing like this that illuminates to me what,"beauty is truth,truth is beauty" really means.Excellent biograpical selfie.
2
I had mild hopes that Ivanka might be able to redirect her toddler father from the more harmful bright shiny objects within his reach, but so far it’s not looking good. Unfortunately, I’ve come to view her moderating influence as just one more cynical lie in the Trump bag of tricks. She never was going to do any of these things, and I feel more the fool for having believed her. So why did she come to Washington? For the only thing the Trump family truly cares about: money. There’s never enough to satisfy the empty hole where the heart should be.
11
I could not agree more--Ivanka was born with a gold spoon in her mouth. She pretends to be empathetic and say all the right things but actions speak louder than words--even lack of action. she's not a feminist, she is not a role model for today's women, she is a Trump in cheap made in China clothes just like her dad.
12
"... the only evidence we have of Ms. Trump’s supposed moderating effects and passion for progressive causes is her word." Yes. And what good is anybody's word, in this administration? So far, her progressive influence has been zero.
Who is Ivanka, really? We need to know. It bears on the national good. She has a desk in the White House. She might have the president's ear. Is she just an empty scarecrow? That would be inordinately sad for her, and a tragedy for all Americans.
Who is Ivanka, really? We need to know. It bears on the national good. She has a desk in the White House. She might have the president's ear. Is she just an empty scarecrow? That would be inordinately sad for her, and a tragedy for all Americans.
4
How sad that we would hope that the Trump presidency could be salvaged by unelected. unvetted, inexperienced 30 year old Trump family members like Ivanka and Jared.
The British royals have it about right. They stay out of the way and cut ribbons.
The British royals have it about right. They stay out of the way and cut ribbons.
16
I could not agree more with Ms. West's article on Ivanka Trump. The first thing she did after her father took office was to secure her ability to sell her clothing line in China. It would have been fine with me if something followed but I am still waiting for substance which is not defined as representing your father at meetings with global leaders for which she has minimal if any expertise.
10
What a beautifully written opinion piece. Thank you!
14
Here's what I have never understood about such misplaced hopes (not just in Ivanka, but in Jared): why would anyone expect someone (any member of the Trump family, not just Ivanka) of a vastly different and monied social sphere to suddenly relate to someone they have never related to - namely, those occupying an inferior monied and social status?
7
Ivanka is at best decorative. As far as I can tell she does no real work in the White House and has no reason for being there except to give Daddy moral support. I'm think that's true of her husband as well. In any event, I can't see why they have White House passes and offices, and I'd guess General Kelly will find a way to move them back to New York by Christmas.
6
Ivanka now needs to focus on hiring a good lawyer, because she'll be prosecuted along with Jared.
Jail stripes. Separate federal prisons. Bankruptcy filings to pay legal fees.
Jail stripes. Separate federal prisons. Bankruptcy filings to pay legal fees.
6
I just have a difficult time accepting how very fragile our democracy is-- that only a crew of Trump-level grifters could effectively dispatch it.
7
I found Ivanka interesting for about three minutes. What still fascinates me is the number of normal American women who post to thank her for "all she is doing" and generally worship her from afar. From what I gather, it's her "class" -- as evidenced by impeccable grooming -- that holds them enraptured. We saw a similar effect with Jackie Kennedy. As recently released materials show, Jackie wasn't all she was cracked up to be, but she was accomplished in languages, had a successful career as an editor, stepped in to save Grand Central Terminal, and curated the White House refurbishment for the benefit of the nation as a whole. I wonder what it says about American women and our "liberation" that we can still be swayed by the utterly superficial, while ignoring or even reviling women of talent and achievement?
8
Thank you to the author... Such a well-written piece. Its so sad that we all want to believe so much, that this Barbie Trump would prove to be more authentic than the work she's had done. It was all about moving from very wealthy to vastly wealthy. That's a good thing for them. Sounds like Jared's family is gonna need the dough.
4
This liberal woman never expected Ivanka to champion women's upward mobility. After all, she was born at the top. She never had to fill out a job application or go through the interview process. Ivanka has never been sent out of the room to make coffee or copies while her male counterparts worked on major projects. She's never stayed up all night working to hit an unreasonable deadline while tending to a sick child. She never even missed a massage until the campaign. No wonder Ivanka is Trump's favorite. She's just like him: woefully out of touch and terminally entitled.
9
Ivanka and Jared rank among the most truly beautiful people.
We must not rain on their parades as our democracy crumbles.
We must not rain on their parades as our democracy crumbles.
3
What had Ivanka Trump ever done for people to believe she was going to be the strong voice for women in her father's White House? The company she ran and those she did business with had terrible records on issues like pay equity and family leave. If Ivanka failed to address those issues before moving to Washington, why did anyone think she was going to stand up to her misogynistic father when it mattered? No, just as Trump Sr., Ivanka has used her position, gained exclusively through nepotism, to enrich herself. Yes, many in America desperately wanted to believe she would be a moderating force on her corrupt and uncaring father. Can we all agree now that this was simply another branding exercise, not plan for action?
518
and that desperate belief seems to have been based entirely on the fact that she is a woman. Never mind that she is/was completely unqualified - for pretty much anything that involves the personal strength and integrity to tell the truth and to stand up for the truth. She is the polar opposite of the nurse in Utah who was handcuffed for defending the constitutional right of a patient to give consent to blood being drawn. It's impossible to emphasize enough the gulf between these two women.
3
Exactly! Why did ANYONE, EVER, have so much faith in her desire and/or ability to convince her slug of a father to do anything to help anyone other than herself?? Classic case of a blank canvas combined with group mentality.
2
It's hard being related to the biggest toddler in the world.
35
Wow! That's a really good one. Just amazing what these verified commenters add to the boards!!!!
2
@Nyalman
It's really no more amazing than what you add to the boards.
Just remember -- this is America, where we still have the 1st Amendment.
It's really no more amazing than what you add to the boards.
Just remember -- this is America, where we still have the 1st Amendment.
2
The fact that Ivanka has stuck with her father, rather than leave the nest to explore and become her own person, tells you everything you need to know about her loyalties. Her self-described concern for women is merely Disneyesque tale spinning. She is no more a working mom than a movie star. Somehow I don't think she has to worry about making up hours for leaving early to pick up a sick kid from daycare.
67
I have no sympathy for the Trump children and find nothing to redeem their being the Kardashians of US politics. They flaunt their fame, translate being children of a failure of a president into a trademark for their "commodities" and remain for many of US citizens shallow, irrelevant, and despicable. Salt on the wound is their taking themselves seriously and see themselves not only important but gifted reformers.
Yet that said the country must look in the mirror and realized the responsibility for this clan becoming the CEO's of our public lives lies at our own feet. Where were we when the system ended up putting this
crew in the White House? So lament as you might about the Trumps, we must look at ourselves to place the blame of a fiasco of our own making. In this case the two parties we have were complete failures in finding us a leader.
Yet that said the country must look in the mirror and realized the responsibility for this clan becoming the CEO's of our public lives lies at our own feet. Where were we when the system ended up putting this
crew in the White House? So lament as you might about the Trumps, we must look at ourselves to place the blame of a fiasco of our own making. In this case the two parties we have were complete failures in finding us a leader.
51
Dont put the Kardashian name with Trumps. Those 6 women have done more for women's equality than Ivanka or Melania ever have or will. You may not like the Kardashians - their style or their ubiquitous fame but these are 5 women who control their own destinies. They forged businesses (whether you approve of the business or not is irrelevant) from thin air and continue to demonstrate the definition of Girl Boss. They support and readily promote women's issues, as well as other socially progressive causes. These women are the American Dream whether you agree with their methods or not, whether you think they have talent or not. They make their own money, control their own destiny and try and lift other women up along with them. Ivanka/Melania are the epitome of Stepford women - a man's ideal. Hands down if I had to trust one to further women's causes I'd pick Kim over Ivanka any day. Let's face it you can't trust a woman who has spent her lifetime trying to be her father's ideal woman so he won't leave her like he did her mother or treat her with the indifference and disgust he has other women, while the only ideal Kim is trying to achieve is her OWN version of the perfect woman.
The Democrats had an extremely well qualified candidate. She just wasn't entertaining enough for the reality show called the 2016 Presidential Election.
2
Since Ivanka Trump has been portrayed and encouraged her portrayal as the slightly-liberal-feminist-businesswoman her lack of concern and real action towards anything is far more disappointing. Those of us who paid any attention during the actual election knew she wasn’t going to be much help because she didn’t speak out about any of Donald Trump's actions and campaign promises it is still a kick in the gut every time she gives a watered down liberal response to something, and she rarely gives those responses directly to her father. She stands for a very specific white feminism. She needs to give just enough to let liberal white feminists that she’s not all bad, to keep them from trampling her too but she can’t give enough to alienate the people that elected her father into office in the first place. Her vague and unhelpful tweets mean nothing. Having her as this consolation prize for Donald Trump being elected really means nothing if she isn’t going to stand up to her father on any of the many issues he causes and brings up. She is the same sort of feminist as someone like Taylor Swift, she can say just enough for some people to label her a feminist and an advocate but really, the people that support her are the people that would strongly disagree and cause an uproar if they showed any real support or took action. Ivanka Trump is what keeps other white feminists at bay and a way to channel support into some small aspect of our government instead of rebuking the whole thing.
14
I never did pay any attention to Ivanka Trump, and I certainly don’t listen to her now. It was obvious from the beginning that she was pure plastic with a too-obvious paint job. I’ve seen more truthfulness and sincerity on the face of a Barbie doll; at least a Barbie doesn’t pretend to be anything except what it is.
And Ivanka as a moderating influence? SERIOUSLY? Frankly, I’ll be pleasantly surprised if most of us are still alive, three and a half years from now.
And Ivanka as a moderating influence? SERIOUSLY? Frankly, I’ll be pleasantly surprised if most of us are still alive, three and a half years from now.
48
LOL, Constance, it's as if you read my mind! I would add - Ms. Trump is so obviously inauthentic and affected that it sets my teeth on edge whenever I hear her speak.
Also, there is nothing to indicate she has a genuine ability to run a business - she is completely propped up by her father's infrastructure.
Also, there is nothing to indicate she has a genuine ability to run a business - she is completely propped up by her father's infrastructure.
4
"And, unfortunately for the entire planet, the word of a Trump isn’t worth very much."
This might be the best sentence to describe civilizations plight with Trump and his family leading (or not leading) the way.
This might be the best sentence to describe civilizations plight with Trump and his family leading (or not leading) the way.
36
I don't know why anyone would vote for a person assuming that his relatives would ameliorate who he is. I am not disappointed in Ivanka Trump because I expected nothing.
35
Believe devastated Democrats were grasping at post-election straws but they should have known better. Or perhaps the Ivanka/democrat "brand" was just another "sale" by the trump family wherein the buyer ends up with an empty sack. In either instance her "elevation" to "democrat/liberal" was always a lie.
One hope the media drops this trope and stops pushing the line in hopes to find one trump or associate with a worthy head or heart.
One hope the media drops this trope and stops pushing the line in hopes to find one trump or associate with a worthy head or heart.
True. And let's add that the family is just as bad because they have to know that he's not well but they're just so power hungry and greedy that they don't care as long as they get theirs.
Don't forget her outsourcing of American manufacturing jobs in her clothing and jewelry lines! These are jobs that working women (and men) would welcome -- if they paid a living wage and offered benefits. As for being a voice for women, wasn't that a marketing ploy to sell "Women Who Work: Rewriting the Rules for Success." Certainly the title is ironic.
19
I respectfully disagree with this statement, "the word of a Trump isn’t worth very much." While I agree her Dad and adult brothers have a myopic perspective of our country and have repeatedly made divisive remarks regarding other Americans whose lineage can be traced long before the Trump's arrived on American soil, there are other Trump's whose words are good. It's counterproductive to label them all as liars when that is not true. I love sweet Tiffany because my mom was a single parent too, so she, nor Barron or any of the grandchildren should be lumped in the same category as the elders.
As far as Ivanka, her public issues have more to do with messaging and a lack of diversity around her than any other factor. Yes, I cringed when she tweeted out the picture of all the White Business woman around the table. Yes, I cringed when I didn't see a single woman of color representing military spouses, but when you hire like minded people...this is what happens even if that isn't the perception she wants to be captured, it is.....based on optics.
Bottom line, none of us will ever know what Ivanka says to her Dad behind closed doors, but I do believe she means well.
As far as Ivanka, her public issues have more to do with messaging and a lack of diversity around her than any other factor. Yes, I cringed when she tweeted out the picture of all the White Business woman around the table. Yes, I cringed when I didn't see a single woman of color representing military spouses, but when you hire like minded people...this is what happens even if that isn't the perception she wants to be captured, it is.....based on optics.
Bottom line, none of us will ever know what Ivanka says to her Dad behind closed doors, but I do believe she means well.
3
The trump name will always, from now on, be nothing but a label of shame. Don't be fooled, all of them, down to the youngest, will have to carry this malignancy all their lives.
4
I got a bridge I want to sell you, honey. :/
I'll make you a *great* deal.
I'll make you a *great* deal.
2
With everything that's at stake here, meaning well isn't enough. My grandmother used to say "the road to hell is paved with good intentions."
1
I admit it, I was willing to give Ivanka the benefit of the doubt. Primarily because she was raised by her mother, and secondly because she talked such a good game in the beginning. I sincerely hoped she would be a voice of reason in her father's hairy old ear.
It now appears that one of two things must be true: Either she misrepresented herself as a principled feminist, or someone has persuaded her to back off and be quiet.
Whether inherently flawed, or weak, she's missed an opportunity to do something good and necessary for our country. I pity her as much as I do us.
It now appears that one of two things must be true: Either she misrepresented herself as a principled feminist, or someone has persuaded her to back off and be quiet.
Whether inherently flawed, or weak, she's missed an opportunity to do something good and necessary for our country. I pity her as much as I do us.
9
Couldn't have said it better--inspired, insightful and justified rage. Now let's do something about all of this. Register more people to vote. Write LETTERS to your reps opposing all these hateful policies. Protest in the streets.
19
I gave Ivanka the benefit of the doubt, and the time I thought she deserved to show her actual capacity to reign in her father's more boorish and grotesque tendencies, while advocating for the "things" she said mattered to her. (To few to list here it turns out).
It was pretty quickly apparent that she is, like the brands she promotes, is more hype and style than substance. I pay her no attention now. She is not only incapable but irrelevant.
In the end she and her husband will return to NYC, make, rent or sell things that are symbols of conspicuous consumption and be quickly forgotten. it's just the next 3.6 years that are troubling.
It was pretty quickly apparent that she is, like the brands she promotes, is more hype and style than substance. I pay her no attention now. She is not only incapable but irrelevant.
In the end she and her husband will return to NYC, make, rent or sell things that are symbols of conspicuous consumption and be quickly forgotten. it's just the next 3.6 years that are troubling.
8
Nope. They will not be forgotten. They will carry the shame of that name for the rest of their lives.
1
I find it truly incredible that people actually believed Ivanka Trump's rhetoric during the campaign and continue to hold her as a voice for reason and womanhood.
I sometimes wonder what Mark Twain, Will Rodgers or Dorothy Parker would say if they were still with us. Actually, I settle for a comment by Groucho Marx!
I sometimes wonder what Mark Twain, Will Rodgers or Dorothy Parker would say if they were still with us. Actually, I settle for a comment by Groucho Marx!
10
What made this article worth the read: "She is more a logo than a person."
Perfect. Describes the entire family, dad included, because no human could stand to do all the things he's done in what, 7 months?
Perfect. Describes the entire family, dad included, because no human could stand to do all the things he's done in what, 7 months?
36
Instead of complaining and blaming the lack of progress on the failings of Ivanka Trump to come through, how about national female leaders recognize and seize the opportunities for growth being presented today?
Yesterday, President Trump challenged a do-nothing Congress to vote on a DACA bill. This is properly a Congressional issue: ten states were prepared to sue to find President Obama's unilateral executive order as unConstitutional.
So... the game today is for DACA supporters, feminists, liberals, etc. to put together a nationwide campaign in the next 6 months to legally convince the majority of voters' representatives (Senators and Reps.) in Congress to take action. This is not just a vote for California, Florida, Texas, New York, and the (basically bankrupt) Illinois; voters in Red States, less dependent on immigrant labor, get a vote too.
Will the people let down by President Trump, the people Lindy West describes here, be up for the challenge and the opportunity afforded them right now? Can they work WITHIN the political system to gain Congressional action on an important issue that affects the nation as a whole, not just the Blue states or the Coastal states?
I don't think there is much organizing effort, or any persuasive skills left in the old Democratic party. There is a lot of complaining, but very little education that I can see about working within the legal and political system to create lasting change. If you cannot persuade voters, you lose.
Yesterday, President Trump challenged a do-nothing Congress to vote on a DACA bill. This is properly a Congressional issue: ten states were prepared to sue to find President Obama's unilateral executive order as unConstitutional.
So... the game today is for DACA supporters, feminists, liberals, etc. to put together a nationwide campaign in the next 6 months to legally convince the majority of voters' representatives (Senators and Reps.) in Congress to take action. This is not just a vote for California, Florida, Texas, New York, and the (basically bankrupt) Illinois; voters in Red States, less dependent on immigrant labor, get a vote too.
Will the people let down by President Trump, the people Lindy West describes here, be up for the challenge and the opportunity afforded them right now? Can they work WITHIN the political system to gain Congressional action on an important issue that affects the nation as a whole, not just the Blue states or the Coastal states?
I don't think there is much organizing effort, or any persuasive skills left in the old Democratic party. There is a lot of complaining, but very little education that I can see about working within the legal and political system to create lasting change. If you cannot persuade voters, you lose.
2
John McCain had Sarah Palin to help him bring in the women's vote, and Trump is using his daughter Ivanka in a similar fashion, no pun intended. Ivanka is the educated, upscale, and re-branded version of what Palin was supposed to be, but make no mistake - she's being used by her father. And is crying all the way to the bank.
Thank you for this column today. I think it's entirely appropriate that we look at how well the president's children are doing while the children of many immigrants are facing the reality of losing everything they have actually worked for.
Thank you for this column today. I think it's entirely appropriate that we look at how well the president's children are doing while the children of many immigrants are facing the reality of losing everything they have actually worked for.
19
We have, over the centuries, some first ladies and first children who were inconsequential. The Trumps trump them all.
I get it that many voted the Trump check box to vote against Clinton and against the Republican establishment and that many of those still vainly hope for jobs and a US takeover of the world. They won't get that. Neither will the rest of us be rescued by vapid examples of self-indulgent humanity.
Please. Please. May 2018 rescue us!
I get it that many voted the Trump check box to vote against Clinton and against the Republican establishment and that many of those still vainly hope for jobs and a US takeover of the world. They won't get that. Neither will the rest of us be rescued by vapid examples of self-indulgent humanity.
Please. Please. May 2018 rescue us!
8
The thing that I can't wrap my mind around is all those people who said, in all seriousness, how this person would 'manage' Trump or how that person would 'teach' Trump or how he would be 'handled'. Why in Heaven would you vote for someone who needed to be managed, handled, or taught the job? Is that the same thing as saying that he can't do the job? Isn't ready for the job? How could people have done it?
17
@sjs: I absolutely agree with you about that. Thank you for saying so.
Of course there will be no one to save us. We are the change! That's what the slogan means - we are the only ones who can "save" ourselves or cause the change that we want. Each one of us must stop asking and expecting others to come through for us and start doing it individually and with like-minded others. It's called personal responsibility and being a grown up.
4
Well said. Mrs. Kushner should go back to having lunch with the ladies. Governing is the real deal, making real policy that effects real people - Trumps only understand marketing which is the fancy facade - or, as they say, fake news. I pray Americans wake up from the Trump/Fox news nightmare and start acting like people who can discern fact from propaganda (branding, marketing, alternative facts, fake news, etc.).
10
Two recent articles lifted the curtain on the myth of Javanka being successful business owners in their own right. Politico's article on Ivanka's shady jewelry business partner, Moshe Lax, indicates Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry didn't always operate aboveboard. Bloomberg's article on Jared's disastrous purchase of 666 Fifth Avenue spells trouble for the Kushner empire.
15
Ivanka is a product of years and years of enabling her narcissist father. She knows better than anyone just how he acts. Unfortunately, the lessons he has apparently taught her is one of branding and marketing, not of substance and depth of thought. Life for her would appear to be just as 'brand-driven' as her father. When one is taught through words and actions only to care about 'image', what else is there in the world but 'image'. Ivanka should return to New York. She holds no sway over her father and she has no place in the governing of our country. She needs to excel in what she knows...marketing her image to other women who care little about anything but their image. She would be happier and the nation would no longer have to tolerate at least one Trump in the White House.
4
Survival is the "president's" goal until and after he accepts the best deal to preserve him, his family and his business from continuing and never ending prosecution by either (or both) state or federal government prosecutors.
To that end the "president" has made the do-nothing (true) congress the scapegoat (health care and DACA) for his and the country's failures in the eyes of his supporters who are now the only lifeline left between him and the deep ocean of prosecution, disgrace and infamy.
The best deal Mr "president" will and must include an explanation in detail (a confession if you will) of how you and your campaign colluded with the russian government during the election so that we can prevent it from happening next year.
Make the deal Congress and take the deal Mr "president".
To that end the "president" has made the do-nothing (true) congress the scapegoat (health care and DACA) for his and the country's failures in the eyes of his supporters who are now the only lifeline left between him and the deep ocean of prosecution, disgrace and infamy.
The best deal Mr "president" will and must include an explanation in detail (a confession if you will) of how you and your campaign colluded with the russian government during the election so that we can prevent it from happening next year.
Make the deal Congress and take the deal Mr "president".
2
what a wonderful article! The whole trump family's vanity is to make money by hook or crook. Ivanka and all her siblings are afraid to lose inheritance money as well as new business if she takes a stand against her father. What surprises me the most is the absence of her mother's role, Ivana. Growing up Ivana must must have taught them some human values. They have been lost with greed over time. That is why they do not associate with their mother at all. Trump siblings were born with silver spoon and will die with silver spoon. They never worked for anybody and they think money is their birth right and nobody's else.
11
Time to stop hoping or wishing that Ms. Trump is the second coming of Eleanor Roosevelt - she changes nothing for women or anybody for that matter, not now and not down the road. And perhaps someone can inform me why she and her husband hold the administration positions they do? Nepotism at it's best.
7
I don't care about her morals or vapidness. She was billed as an ameliorating and progressive influence in an otherwise depraved administration. She could have stayed in private life but she chose to take on the role in which she has been a complete failure. She and Jared should go back to New York and get on with their lives.
6
Wow. Great piece! Thank you - been feeling this from the beginning of this pathetic charade the Trumps have going - all at our expense, and to their benefit. Let's let Mueller do his job - and then we'll see how pretty in pink Ivanka is.
6
Brava!
9
Like her father, Ivanka is just an empty suit.
19
Yes, money, social status and power is all they care about. So let's hurt them. They are, after all, willingly aiding in the destruction of society as we know it. Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner must be ostracized from Manhattan, and, as much as possible, virtually all of society. Let us label anyone who aids them comforts them, does business with them, socializes with them, laughs with them, arranges play dates with their children, cuts their hair, shines their shoes, sells them jewelry...for what such persons are: " collaborators." Long after the fall of the Third Reich, the people of Europe remembered the identity of the collaborators. The Trump spawn, as well as the Steven Mnuchin's of the administration ("What, Trump is a Nazi supporter? Are you kidding ?") and the Mitch McConnell's and Paul Ryan's of Congress, and ther ilk, must know that the world will not forget that they were collaborators.
18
I am not sure which Junior Varsity female WH senior staffer is more annoying - the chubby, snarling scripture spouting press secretary whose God is apparently OK with her lying for, and enabling, the pathological, hate-filled liar-in-chief...or the svelte, chic 'off-shored sweat shop' billionaire who never broke a sweat herself and who somehow 'earned ' a seat next to the leader of the free world- Angel Merkel - and whose only claim to fame is her really creepy, crotch grabbing dad.
I am so embarrassed for my country.
I am so embarrassed for my country.
45
It's time to give up hope that Ivanka will somehow save the presidency.
Ivanka and Jared may as well be mannequins.
Ivanka and Jared may as well be mannequins.
8
Ivanka is a grifter, just like daddy. She lies with no problem, and stabs everyone in the back just like any pathetic mean girl.
14
I agree with the the evaluation of Ivanka and Jared: they are both dilettantes, incapable of promoting any rational policy because they don't know what a rational policy is. But I object to the author's statement that a true feminist would support "immigrant women, Muslim women, Jewish women, all women". This is based on an outdated notion of feminism, in which all women have common interested simply because we have similar genitals. Should I support a woman who joins ISIS and whose most fervent desire is to see me dead? Or a neo-Nazi woman who believes that Jews are not human beings? Or an irresponsible woman having five kids by five different fathers? Feminism for me means equal pay for equal work and abortion access. Not all women support these goals, and I have no obligation to support goals I find objectionable simply because they are promoted by other women.
2
"Why do we pay her any attention at all?"
Isn't it the drama of watching the models (plastic, haute couture and glitz creations)--stepmother vs daughter--battle for the man and limelight, against the huge tugs of gravity and progress. Models of pathetically dated haute-femininity--bulbously top heavy in tights and stiletto heels.
This soap opera is just another facet of the Trump/POTUS freak show.
Isn't it the drama of watching the models (plastic, haute couture and glitz creations)--stepmother vs daughter--battle for the man and limelight, against the huge tugs of gravity and progress. Models of pathetically dated haute-femininity--bulbously top heavy in tights and stiletto heels.
This soap opera is just another facet of the Trump/POTUS freak show.
11
the self perpetuated fraud was that Trump was anything other than what he showed us: a cowardly and racist bully with no principles at all, other than enhancing his brand
Anyone who bought into the idea of his pivoting, being influenced by the NY Democrats in the family, or growing into the role.......
were people who were either "deplorable" at heart, or were justifying not wanting to vote for Hillary.
It no longer matters which: If you are not a racist, then you had no trouble collaborating with his racist policies. And now we are stuck in his reality tv show, but in this reality, innocent people are really getting bashed.
Anyone who bought into the idea of his pivoting, being influenced by the NY Democrats in the family, or growing into the role.......
were people who were either "deplorable" at heart, or were justifying not wanting to vote for Hillary.
It no longer matters which: If you are not a racist, then you had no trouble collaborating with his racist policies. And now we are stuck in his reality tv show, but in this reality, innocent people are really getting bashed.
8
Saying anything negative about Ivanka Trump is inconsequential. WHY? She is not the GOVERNMENT. Ms. West is an angry leftist, as are the insulting, mean spirited people who personally assault her and her family. Give it a break lefties. Your unbridled HATE is showing.
1
What we liberals (or lefties as you call us) HATE is what Trump and his minions are doing to our country.
She and her husband will probably leave when and if Kelly is successful at eliminating the rest of the White House nut cases, i.e. Miller and Omarosa. They can then bow out gracefully by stating they will still advise but not as government employees or volunteers with WH offices. They know that even though her last name is Trump, her father will inevitably tarnish her own brand.
5
I wonder when the trolls will show up. And how the will .... well, how will they?
2
I don't know why everyone thinks Ivanka and Jarad are liberal saviors, or even clear thinkers. They've lived their whole lives doing one thing: maximising their personal influence and wealth. When they were in NYC, that meant cozying up to democrats, including the Clintons. Now it means doing what POTUS wants. The entire family is disgusting.
8
hello,Ivanka here is a challenge .you work for a months for minimum wages at a local McDonald"Donald"hmm live in public housing...no healthcare(female)
no going home to children husband..or daddy. in a town where there is not much news.like kentucky or tense or kansa. do that for a months.no credit cards
apply for Foodstamps at DHHS ..
have the DACA kids monitor you .......
see you in one months!love signup
no going home to children husband..or daddy. in a town where there is not much news.like kentucky or tense or kansa. do that for a months.no credit cards
apply for Foodstamps at DHHS ..
have the DACA kids monitor you .......
see you in one months!love signup
5
She's a Republican publicity stunt, not unlike a sign in a slum bragging Bippy's World Famous Burgers.
3
Ivanka is 100% Chinese plastic. An automated barbie who probably rehearses every single gesture she makes in public a hundred times.
In some ways a bigger fraud then her father.
This is how mediocrity prospers -
1. Get born into a family of rich showmans with few morals and no ethics.
2. Look serious and sympathetic while thinking of your next con.
Can't believe how stupid people are to buy the junk that is sold under her brand name.
In some ways a bigger fraud then her father.
This is how mediocrity prospers -
1. Get born into a family of rich showmans with few morals and no ethics.
2. Look serious and sympathetic while thinking of your next con.
Can't believe how stupid people are to buy the junk that is sold under her brand name.
9
Is it possible Ivanka and her trophy hubby Jared could be shamed by the atrocious actions of Daddy Dearest enough to speak out in public. I doubt it.
They are proof both of them that the apple does not fall far from the tree. Jared's Father is as despicable a human being as Ivanka's Daddy is. They are completely oblivious to the real world which surrounds them. They have no feelings for anyone who cannot do them some good. It shows. Trump hugging and kissing babies in Houston just isn't going to do it. If anyone is fooled by that obnoxious behavior then they truly deserve him, in spades.
DD
Manhattan
They are proof both of them that the apple does not fall far from the tree. Jared's Father is as despicable a human being as Ivanka's Daddy is. They are completely oblivious to the real world which surrounds them. They have no feelings for anyone who cannot do them some good. It shows. Trump hugging and kissing babies in Houston just isn't going to do it. If anyone is fooled by that obnoxious behavior then they truly deserve him, in spades.
DD
Manhattan
8
The only difference between her and her father is that she's a very attractive sociopath.
6
Attractive to what or to whom? There is just as much artificial product in her bra as in her daddy's scalp.
1
Th U.S-just another episode of the apprentice. Ivanka is no different than the other white women who sunk our country with this lunatic. She's just making money on it.
6
It seems to me that, prior to Trump's candidacy, daughter Ivanka had embarked on the family business of establishing a brand and marketing it. She seemed to be attempting to establish herself as a guru for working professional/ management women in order to sell them stuff.
Trump's winning the presidency at first appeared a bonanza for her brand-building. But as things have turned out, it has been highly detrimental to it. In a position now to actually get something done for women (perhaps) instead of just writing and speaking about it, she is found ineffective. And her father's words and actions too often negate her intended messages.
In years ahead, it will be interesting to see what happens to her brand and business. Perhaps Harvard Business Review will do a case study?
Trump's winning the presidency at first appeared a bonanza for her brand-building. But as things have turned out, it has been highly detrimental to it. In a position now to actually get something done for women (perhaps) instead of just writing and speaking about it, she is found ineffective. And her father's words and actions too often negate her intended messages.
In years ahead, it will be interesting to see what happens to her brand and business. Perhaps Harvard Business Review will do a case study?
2
Ms. West... My 80 Year old Gratitude for your lucid words. I fear that there is no Control being made manifest on the Sociopathic presence of the mind of this "President" in Pretense. Forgive my repeating a phrase my family hears from this "Old Man": "Some times the sanest reaction to an insane situation....is Insanity". Donald Trump does Not know enough to Care...or care enough to Know. Regardless of "Party", he now sits in the Place
occupied by an elected Public Servant. Donald Trump, true to his life-long
Occupation, knows Only "service" to Himself, again, in line with my chosen
"Diagnosis" his Presence in Existence. I lament his dominance in the lives of my precious Family....and our beautiful Great Grandchildren!
occupied by an elected Public Servant. Donald Trump, true to his life-long
Occupation, knows Only "service" to Himself, again, in line with my chosen
"Diagnosis" his Presence in Existence. I lament his dominance in the lives of my precious Family....and our beautiful Great Grandchildren!
11
Each and every member of the Trump family is nothing more than a character in the present day sit-com TV show which we call the current administration -- i.e. the Trump White House. There is not a syllable of truth in anything which any of them say -- not ever. Each one is simply reading from a script -- a script written to lie, always, to the American people. And we have to put up with it -- at least for a while -- until some sense comes back to the electorate.
9
Come on, Ms. West, Ivanka is one of our leading public intellectuals. For example, in her new book she quotes Nietzsche. Maybe she read him while on the beach with Michelle Bachman who was there with her von Mises.
5
I don't understand why people expected so much of her: she's her father's daughter, right down to the cosmetic surgery. When it comes to marketing and promotion, and getting out of jams, she's sat at the feet of the master. Why would we expect her to have any closer relationship to the truth than her father?
9
Trump, by example, has created a mindset in his children that greed is good, that laws can be manipulated, and that malfeasance is fine until you're caught, and even then, you can shell out money for the best attorneys to protect you. This is the Trump formula. Baron, unfortunately, will not be able to escape this philosophy of life. The smart one here is Ivana - she had the brains and courage to end a charade. Unfortunately, through either genes or environment, Don Jr., Eric, and Ivanka are their father's children.
1
When Ivanka was in Saudi Arabia she spoke of helping women. So is it possible that Ivanka really is not going to teach all the women in Saudi Arabia how to drive--or even suggest that they should be allowed to drive?
2
Her words like the words of her father are empty and meaningless. Like Donald she talks and acts on both sides and unfortunately her ACTIONS are the less worthy.
6
Once Ivanka Trump got her brand licenses approved in China (Make America Great?) her work was done. The Trumps are not public servants, but only do anything to the benefit of their bank accounts. Because the Trump-Kushners are wrapped in a banal, good looking package people gave them the benefit of the doubt. The fact that they are close advisors to the president without any experience is deeply disturbing. This is nepotism that's worthy of a banana republic.
13
Donald Trump has no guiding principle. And, as time goes by, we know more and more about his mental, ethical, and moral failings. Ivanka and her brothers were raised in that environment and they are not only OK with that, but have become enablers.
Ivanka is Donald Trump with a pretty face and without the foul mouth.
Ivanka is Donald Trump with a pretty face and without the foul mouth.
13
In public, William, in public. We have no way of knowing what is said out of sight and microphone range.
Maybe Glen, but the fact that she is still sticking around him speaks volume...
It was bewildering the entire campaign to hear Ivanka was some sort of life-saver. One does not elect someone hoping his daughter will be the moral compass. And secondly her business and self interests were there for all to see. The delusional electorate who created this mess counted on the former party of no to make America great? And now it's the party of cruelty, greed and complete amorality making us the pariah of the planet.
12
Can we get over "Resisting" and start talking about new leaders, ideas we can support, say, Medicare wall-to-wall, college debt reform, pathway to equality for women, on and on?
Resist is a loser.
Leaders and ideas we can get behind are what win.
The Trumpers are right about one thing--we have to stop whining about how "we was robbed!", and get on with a plan to win next time.
Winning means that you get to drive the bus, not that you really scored high on the driver's exam.
Resist is a loser.
Leaders and ideas we can get behind are what win.
The Trumpers are right about one thing--we have to stop whining about how "we was robbed!", and get on with a plan to win next time.
Winning means that you get to drive the bus, not that you really scored high on the driver's exam.
5
New Leader: Kamala Harris!
1
Maureen Reagan lived in The White House and couldn't change her father's mind on abortion or anything else. Ivanka/Jared get tons of publicity because they're both extremely attractive and their pre-Washington days were in positions where they courted media coverage to increase sales. They know how to play the game. But let's be fair: it was Ivanka, pre-election, who convinced her father that Planned Parenthood provides many services that have nothing to do with abortion--and it remains funded.
1
No Lola-it remains funded because it was part of a larger ACA repeal package that was flushed. Do NOT give this empty bobble head credit for what the Aemrican people fight so hard for.
UN--Ivanka is not a bubble head and I am not a Trump supporter. But those of us in New York know Ivanka has promoted certain causes for the past ten years--something you wouldn't know in Seattle. People of substance, including Democrats, have lauded this woman's intellect. This comment is a perfect example that Uber liberals cannot give an inch on anything and are our own worst enemies.
True as far as it goes, but it doesn't go far enough. Not since the country fell for JFK's charisma was there such a messianic fervor as greeted the election of Barack Obama. And it was just as wrong in 2008 as in 1960, and this article is just as wrong in implying that there is a President who will save us, just not this one.
You have to do it yourself. Relying on the White House is the disease, not the cure. Bringing in the Federal government makes things worse, not better. OK it means doing 50 states, one at a time.
Everything has to happen right away for puppies, small children, and reformers of all ages.
You have to do it yourself. Relying on the White House is the disease, not the cure. Bringing in the Federal government makes things worse, not better. OK it means doing 50 states, one at a time.
Everything has to happen right away for puppies, small children, and reformers of all ages.
Trump's progeny have adhered to the tried and true spy maxim; follow the money. Daddy has the money and there they go.
Decades ago F. Scott Fitzgerald told us all we needed to know about the trump clan: the rich are not like you and I. The trump's didn't get where they are through kindness and compassion or any desire to make the world a better place for anyone but themselves.
The one-third of this country enamored with their power have been deluded and apparently enjoy the delusion. I predict the trump brand will become a curse that will pass down to generations who will change their names to save themselves and their children.
Decades ago F. Scott Fitzgerald told us all we needed to know about the trump clan: the rich are not like you and I. The trump's didn't get where they are through kindness and compassion or any desire to make the world a better place for anyone but themselves.
The one-third of this country enamored with their power have been deluded and apparently enjoy the delusion. I predict the trump brand will become a curse that will pass down to generations who will change their names to save themselves and their children.
5
If you started from the principle that nepotism is wrong and that putting unqualified family members in key advisory roles in the White House is a bad idea, then no one should have looked at Ivanka and thought he would make everything OK. It was and is never going to happen.
As for Jared, why would you put the fate of Middle East peace and reform of government in the hands of a guy who is so bad at his chosen profession that he bought the most expensive skyscraper in New York City at the top of the market and is now underwater on it.
As for Jared, why would you put the fate of Middle East peace and reform of government in the hands of a guy who is so bad at his chosen profession that he bought the most expensive skyscraper in New York City at the top of the market and is now underwater on it.
4
Agreed, the word of a Trump has absolutely no value whatsoever. All of them have shown time and again that their only true agenda is self-interest.
8
So well stated! Why anyone wasted even a second hoping that the First Heiress was going to be front in center in advocating and moderating on behalf of women of any persuasion is beyond me. She's just another opportunist and supporting her father's completely unqualified candidacy proved it.
3
she paid a lot of money to create her own physical and material brand. and she knows who butters her bread. despite a childhood of excessive wealth and privilege, her affect suggests someone who has been traumatized: flat, without real depth, empty expressions, soulless eyes. ivanka trump is no heroine. she's a puppet - and her father pulls the strings.
7
The entire Trump clan and assorted hangers on have been exposed from the start as a malevolent, vacuous cult of self important scam artists. I'm not quite sure who will read this well written and thoughtful piece and have a change of heart about them. But I appreciate the way it lays it all out.
The people one sees standing in the background at his ridiculous rallys seem like ordinary folks. I can't figure out how they find a connection with him and his lot, maybe at first when he promised to change things for them but that took some serious self delusion given his openly dishonest and immoral behavior over the years. Now, attempts to explain their continued devotion fail. While being used to fulfill his constant need for adulation and offered empty words in return, they cannot seem to open their eyes to what most of us realize because it is in plain sight.
The people one sees standing in the background at his ridiculous rallys seem like ordinary folks. I can't figure out how they find a connection with him and his lot, maybe at first when he promised to change things for them but that took some serious self delusion given his openly dishonest and immoral behavior over the years. Now, attempts to explain their continued devotion fail. While being used to fulfill his constant need for adulation and offered empty words in return, they cannot seem to open their eyes to what most of us realize because it is in plain sight.
6
You said it beautifully. Ivanka like her husband, brothers and father, is all about only one thing: money. She should be ignored.
4
Speaking of brand, you can't find the trump brand in stores anymore, she is hiding behind the Adrienne Vittadini label, so if you wish to continue your boycott, that's whom to avoid now.
Michelle Wolf nailed the whole ivanka scene on a recent Daily Show: She's a trump. She does what trumps do. They lie. She's from the same batch of cookies as don jr and eric, she just doesn't look like she got dropped on the floor.
Michelle Wolf nailed the whole ivanka scene on a recent Daily Show: She's a trump. She does what trumps do. They lie. She's from the same batch of cookies as don jr and eric, she just doesn't look like she got dropped on the floor.
13
I don't know what the author expected from Ms. trump. In the trump family tradition, guarantees and promises are not worth the paper they are written on. Why would Ivanka be any different?
The trump family climbed the ladder using the rest of us as rungs.
The trump family climbed the ladder using the rest of us as rungs.
6
Ivanka's role as First Daughter is clearly a reflection of what her role as First Child has always been: Daddy saw her as the prettiest, the hottest, the most camera-ready of the brood, allowing her to bask in his favor. But as we know, to be a favorite of Trump is to comply, agree, and show absolute loyalty. She learned this on his knee (a disturbing image) and she has no capacity or interest in changing it now. Her tepid pretense of political moderation is carefully calculated but patently untrue. She's Donald Trump in a pastel sheath dress, and she would never dare be anything else.
5
Who cares about Ivanka? What I care about is our choices in 2018 and 2020. What I care about is which intelligent, hard working, individuals will be available to enter the lists in the next election cycles.
I have some superficial preferences in mind, but I need more information about those who might try to restore a living soul to my beloved United States of America and its government. More articles please! ...But make those articles about candidates who will represent the people, and not pander to the auto-delusional public. I want to know who are the possible candidates who will try to rectify what looks like a four year disaster. I want to know what others think as well. Please tell us who you consider to be possible champions for the Real America.
I have some superficial preferences in mind, but I need more information about those who might try to restore a living soul to my beloved United States of America and its government. More articles please! ...But make those articles about candidates who will represent the people, and not pander to the auto-delusional public. I want to know who are the possible candidates who will try to rectify what looks like a four year disaster. I want to know what others think as well. Please tell us who you consider to be possible champions for the Real America.
6
That this needed to be said is almost as depressing as the Trump presidency itself. Really? People thought Ivanka Trump was going to be a factor?
3
What exactly do Ivanka and Jared actually know about running a country?! What qualifies them? But this column is right on. I admit I was one who hoped for a silver lining but it's time for reality. Wonder how long it will take to fix all the horrible decisions Trump has made.
2
I don't think it's fair to expect Ivanka to stand up to her father, who I'm sure has been a forceful and intimidating presence in her life. Children are usually a bit cowed by their fathers, no matter the circumstances. Instead of demanding that she be the WH countermeasure, demand such resistance from the cowardly Republican elected officials who enable his erratic behavior and proposals.
2
Nailed it, and with a fresh voice, too. Well done!
5
"She is more a logo than a person, a scarecrow stuffed with branding." This is brilliant. I did have hope for Ivanka. Like a drowning person clinging to a log. Of course my meager hopes were quickly dashed and like the rest of thinking America I am left bereft and scared.
2
Thank You Ms. West .. keep fighting for us and with us .. Thanks again!
2
In a normal administration Ivanka (and Jared the Mute) would be entry-level staff at the Department of Commerce where they could apply their so called business skills. There they could learn how the federal government works, see how edicts from the president are implemented, and the effect a single line buried in legislation can have.
Since that won't happen, Daddy instead put them in the WH despite all signs they are unprepared. Yes, Ivanka is the apple of her father's eye but I have to wonder if Daddy Don would be so enamored of her if she had weight issues or some type of disability?
Since that won't happen, Daddy instead put them in the WH despite all signs they are unprepared. Yes, Ivanka is the apple of her father's eye but I have to wonder if Daddy Don would be so enamored of her if she had weight issues or some type of disability?
4
Ivanka wants to feed that beautiful chocolate cake to the unwashed masses and keep it too. She embraced the role as the "good" Trump and marketed it by simply adding a few causes to her product line. Isn't it interesting how her women's empowerment cause dovetails so nicely with her fashions for working women and that awful book she released earlier this year.
Like her father, her husband and Trump's entire cabinet, she believes that great wealth imbues its owner with great wisdom and infallibility. That idea might fly with the folks on Wall Street, but not so much in Washington. Just ask Mnuchin's wife. What matters in Washington is the number of votes you have in Congress and how much of the Federal budget you control.
Ivanka seems to think that posh-speak, makeup, and fashion statements will disguise who she is---a phony and grifter. They haven't. She famously said that she didn't ask for this. Ivanka, yes you did. But we didn't. Please go home.
Like her father, her husband and Trump's entire cabinet, she believes that great wealth imbues its owner with great wisdom and infallibility. That idea might fly with the folks on Wall Street, but not so much in Washington. Just ask Mnuchin's wife. What matters in Washington is the number of votes you have in Congress and how much of the Federal budget you control.
Ivanka seems to think that posh-speak, makeup, and fashion statements will disguise who she is---a phony and grifter. They haven't. She famously said that she didn't ask for this. Ivanka, yes you did. But we didn't. Please go home.
9
Ivanka has broken a defining law. Unlike the daughters of previous, progressive presidents, she is beautiful as well as smart and successful.
How dare she!
Just like her mother and step-mother. High heels? Outrageous.
How dare she!
Just like her mother and step-mother. High heels? Outrageous.
1
The Obama daughters are beautiful. I wonder why you didn't notice.
Looking to Bob Muller to save us. And SOON, as damages mounts daily.
3
Lindy West, you are an awesome writer! Thanks for this great article.
3
Every rose has its thorns and Ivanka has big ones.
1
The apple does not fall from the tree. Lying, greed, heart of stone are all passed down the line in the nurturing environment.
1
I have always found her to be ambitious, highly calculated and phony. She went to high school with some of my college friends and she is highly disliked for getting a bunch of students kicked out for being at a party with alcohol etc when she was there and partaking. So I never really bought her whole pious conversion to orthodox Judaism. I always felt it was more about money and image for her - everyone else is collateral damage.
4
Thank you Ms. West. I have every intention of using the words of your last paragraph without attribution! However, I wish there was a way your 'Trump Doctrine' could also convey the rank criminality at its heart. The Trumps are properly a criminal syndicate with all the taste and charm of the Gottis.
3
Ivanka is hollow. She has a fastidiously manicured exterior that attempts to hide the fact that there is no substance, no passion for anything - least of all others - and no intellect. A person of average skills and intelligence, she has never held a job that wasn't manufactued for her by her father's wealth. It was the same with her father and his father's wealth, the same with her brothers, and the same with her husband. Really, what experience has she to draw on? Saying "yes, daddy" doesn't take backbone, courage or creativity.
Now, let's all put on matching outfits and pose just so. There is a camera somewhere, let's be sure it is aim at moi!
Now, let's all put on matching outfits and pose just so. There is a camera somewhere, let's be sure it is aim at moi!
8
Beautiful! Exactly right, every word. You pointed out the dictum that the apple does not fall far from the tree. Her dad is a liar; guess where she learned it. Her dad dissembles at his rallies; she does the same in her tweets about his actions and policy pronouncements. In actuality, she would really do no different then her dad, were she president. To those who have held onto the hope that she can moderate him, I ask, who will moderate her?
6
I agree. A family full of frauds.
9
What is her word worth oh, about 2304 bits, about the length of a tweet. It is gone in an instant.
2
As for what Ivanka's word is worth... It has been reported here in the NYT that Ivanka has "unfettered" access to her father (in contrast to every other one of his "advisors", per Chief of Staff John Kelly's orders) but when she does enter Daddy's inner sanctum on official business (instead of merely for a few hugs and kisses), she duly informs Mr. Kelly beforehand of her intent.
Yes, she does. Every time. Every single time. Without fail. Well, almost. Maybe.
Yes, she does. Every time. Every single time. Without fail. Well, almost. Maybe.
3
This (and much of the article) bears repeating: "She hates the gender wage gap so much, she can’t even stand to know anything about it." I think the whole administration can't even stand to know much about...well, you name it; wages, education, climate concerns, immigration, health care, housing, roads repairs, education, education, higher education...
4
One respected journalist called her "artificial sweeter." It's worse than that. Underneath that placid exterior is a hard-core opportunist, ready to sell you her version of reality, con you into her fake sincerity, and smile all the way to the bank.
9
Don’t waste your time parsing what they say; spend it fighting what they do.
Precisely.
Precisely.
9
Also spend your time making sure that we have not elected a traitor who took money from Russian interests over the years, lied in a fancy way about it on his tax returns, in exchange for now being obligated to go easy on them or be exposed. Implicit blackmail for which there is no remedy. The Russians cultivate foreigners for long term gain. They hit the powerball jackpot with Trump. If this is so, Mueller's investigation will show it and then we can remove Trump the old fashioned way. Don't let Trump or the dishonorables in the republican party derail the investigations. Or do you want Trump playing Russian roulette with the North Koreans for three more years, except the gun is pointed at America, not at Trump !
4
Ivanka Trump is not a person.
She is a product. She is a brand.
She is a product. She is a brand.
13
"Ivanka Trump is not a person."
Similar to a 'Stepford Daughter'
Similar to a 'Stepford Daughter'
2
She is a cardboard poster, one dimensional.
1
"Don’t waste your time parsing what they say; spend it fighting what they do."
In other words, protest and resist every day in every way!
In other words, protest and resist every day in every way!
5
classic stockholm syndrome. held captive by daddy's dollars. would be cool if she finally WOKE and became the patty hearst of the world according to trump. wouldn't hold my breath.
2
But in the end, it was only a temporary gig for Patty Hearst.
like father, like daughter--the same--no caring for others.
3
I never understood the appeal behind the Trump 'brand'. But it is so soiled now that once DJT is out of office ( sooner rather than later, I hope), I cannot understand who would want to be associated by a brand so tainted.
Perhaps Ivanka should think about her own children. How embarrassed will they be of her once they are old enough to read and understand the truth of their mother?
Perhaps Ivanka should think about her own children. How embarrassed will they be of her once they are old enough to read and understand the truth of their mother?
1
Thousands of us said Javanka was in over their heads from day one. Nothing has changed, and she remains complicit. I would like to see the press stop covering her (at least on a political basis) as she brings absolutely nothing to the table.
1
Ivanka Trump, and Jared her husband have no business being in the administration in the pretense they are there to help Donald and channel him in the right direction.
They are totally corrupt just as the daddy dearest and Ivanka is getting away because she is beautiful , and bats her eyes with her carefully crafted voice ans people melts.
Their cruelty knows no bounds.
Donald Trump together with his family is taking America to a path of destruction.
They are totally corrupt just as the daddy dearest and Ivanka is getting away because she is beautiful , and bats her eyes with her carefully crafted voice ans people melts.
Their cruelty knows no bounds.
Donald Trump together with his family is taking America to a path of destruction.
7
This article captures it all. The woman is not about anything but increasing her brand. Her 'woman involvement' extends to her Facebook page geared for moms who relate to her children photos. "We love you, Ivanka". "Thank you for posting these pictures of your adorable child." "It makes us feel so close to you--you're one of us." And these Ivanka lovers add to her millions by rushing to buy one of those pastel sheaths...to be even closer to and more like her ---except for the multimillion dollar part.
4
She is very much like her father. Trump Brand above all else. And just like her father, the Presidency offered them so many photo ops it was unbelievable! Every day Daddy or Ivanka or Ken doll Jared would have their pictures taken while doing nothing. It was the icing on the cake for these grifters.
That they are clueless about almost everything except themselves is no surprise.
That they are clueless about almost everything except themselves is no surprise.
2
I've thought for some time that anyone that works with/for Trump is an enabler. That includes Mattis, Kelly and the other generals, also Trump's kids. If everyone refuses to have anything to do with this lying, vulgar fool, then he is surrounded by the Steven Millers of the world. At least then we'd have no illusions. There are only 2 sides: enable or resist.
What's there to add? Breathtaking assessment and takedown. The last paragraph can be used as a mantra: stop parsing what they say and start fighting what they do.
3
The precursor question to your "real question", Ms. West, is why would any thinking person have ever expected the privileged, unserious, inexperienced, dilettante daughter of Trump to "come through". Once you get used to 500 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets, there's no turning back. Or, having been comfortably set up and promoted by Daddy in businesses dependent upon cheap foreign labor, you don't bite the hands that feed you, even if this directly contradicts his supposed trade policies.
Those old days of outrage over the contretemps of Roger Clinton and Billy Carter seem so innocent in the present age of the gilded grifters on steroids: Ivanka, Donald,Jr., and Eric.
Those old days of outrage over the contretemps of Roger Clinton and Billy Carter seem so innocent in the present age of the gilded grifters on steroids: Ivanka, Donald,Jr., and Eric.
1
Like father, like daughter. Thank you for a powerful opinion piece, exposing Ivanka Trump for the con artist she is. It's so sad so many people have been taken in by this great pretender.
2
Just wondering how Ivanka and Jared will be able to return to NYC and live among us after all of their D.C. charades and participation in the erosion of our democracy. They should be shunned!
3
honestly, i'm torn about ivanka --- torn between wanting her hypocrisy and vapidity regularly exposed, and hoping that the press just ignores her altogether.
1
Thank you for this. Every time I hear people try to justify her, or her brothers, or any of that family it makes me want to scream. This family is bleeding us dry, our country is a business opportunity for them, our tax dollars a way to further enrich their already bloated bank accounts. They are awful people, horrible excuses for citizens.
3
"...the word of a Trump isn’t worth very much." This statement pretty much summarizes the political realities of today. Alot of talk with little, if not non-existent, substance.
Our president is the same plaid-polyester-wearing real estate or insurance agent we all laugh at quietly, so as not to appear rude. If you see a Trump's lips flappin', there's probably nothing more than lies or grandstanding going on...
Yawn and move on. Don't feed their egos.
Our president is the same plaid-polyester-wearing real estate or insurance agent we all laugh at quietly, so as not to appear rude. If you see a Trump's lips flappin', there's probably nothing more than lies or grandstanding going on...
Yawn and move on. Don't feed their egos.
1
I am 62 years old.
Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that the Donald would get elected. It was a remarkable political moment in America history.
A country torn apart by income inequality and bereft of hope for change turned to a grifter who was from the long tradition of American snake oil salesman. A person for whom "truth" is simply whatever you need or want it to be at any given moment. Which is a walloping statement about anyone at any time, to say nothing of a President of the United States.
Frankly, we had this coming. America turned its head and let the .1% class loot the nation and create an upward redistribution of wealth the like of which we have never seen before. Millions of living wage manufacturing jobs were intentionally sent to slave wage labor countries so the moneyed class could pocket the labor cost savings. And so within the friendly confines of those smoldering ruins rose the Donald. Eager to turn back the clock to a time when his father's company would routinely turn away blacks as prospective renters.
The rot and its stench in the White House wreaks of corruption. Which is why it must and will implode in the end, swallowing Ivanka along with the rest of them.
Are we dependent on one man, Bob Mueller, to put an end to this dangerous disaster? Not exactly, but it's clear this democracy is nearing a point of no return.
Either it rights its ship and starts to function, or it doesn't.
Time will give us its final answer soon.
Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that the Donald would get elected. It was a remarkable political moment in America history.
A country torn apart by income inequality and bereft of hope for change turned to a grifter who was from the long tradition of American snake oil salesman. A person for whom "truth" is simply whatever you need or want it to be at any given moment. Which is a walloping statement about anyone at any time, to say nothing of a President of the United States.
Frankly, we had this coming. America turned its head and let the .1% class loot the nation and create an upward redistribution of wealth the like of which we have never seen before. Millions of living wage manufacturing jobs were intentionally sent to slave wage labor countries so the moneyed class could pocket the labor cost savings. And so within the friendly confines of those smoldering ruins rose the Donald. Eager to turn back the clock to a time when his father's company would routinely turn away blacks as prospective renters.
The rot and its stench in the White House wreaks of corruption. Which is why it must and will implode in the end, swallowing Ivanka along with the rest of them.
Are we dependent on one man, Bob Mueller, to put an end to this dangerous disaster? Not exactly, but it's clear this democracy is nearing a point of no return.
Either it rights its ship and starts to function, or it doesn't.
Time will give us its final answer soon.
5
I'll listen to Lindy West over Ivanka Trump any day. Reality over play-acting. Substance over blush-pink duffle coats. Why does anyone pay Ivanka any attention other than to--if you actually like one of her clothing items--to buy one of her branded dresses? What are her qualifications outside the realm of branding a clothing line?
2
Just because you can write an opinion piece doesn't mean you should do it. We readers are well aware of the possible expectations of this "presidency." Tell us something we don't know, please.
2
Agree. There's a reason why the MAJORITY of Americans didn't vote for this Trump catastrophe -- Of course, we New Yorkers already knew the deal, and tried to warn the rest of America...
So, are you finally getting the picture yet???
So, are you finally getting the picture yet???
I would say that her commitment to anyone, other than herself, is paper-thin; except that would be unfair to paper.
3
"Complicit" (SNL) is putting it mildly. Ivanka's only job in life has been to please her daddy. Her only goal, and the sole source of her self-esteem, is pleasing daddy. When daddy wanted her to play feminist, she played feminist. When he wanted her to play model, she played model. When he wanted her to play real estate executive, she played real estate executive. She has been daddy's tool and fool all all of her life. I would call her compliant, not complicit. I don't think Ivanka has ever had goals, or a will, of her own.
3
She is like her dad in a designer gown. She grew up thinking she was so much better than the little people. Her ideas about child care tax credits have already been debunked as another tool only for the rich. She definitely is 'complicit' in her dad's horrid administration.
3
She might be a very nice young lady if she grew up. In the same way her father was brash and cowardly in his statements about John McCain being captured and tortured, Ivanka is cowardly in her support of women. She has no clue what real women go through. The women who have to work and raise their children with no help from their daddy's or a husband are the women who are the majority. Ivanka Trump is a spoiled child just like her father. The apple does not fall far from the tree. If she doesn't like comments like this one then she should get out of the way and stop pretending like she cares about women and our issues.
2
Wonderful piece! Ivanka is wallpaper and that's all she's ever been. I wished she would end up as some sort of new breed of super hero running into the oval office to save the world at the last minute but I always thought those hopes, based on her role through out the campaign, were overblown. I'm afraid every move she's made has proven that assessment.
To be a little fair though, her father is an accused rapist, spiteful racist, con man and more, more, more. I believe what we see in her is the result of being raised with a father like that. Stockholm Syndrome, PTSD, etc. Her mother taught her to be complicit and she is carrying the flag - everything for the money. If ever there was a time to evolve beyond that it's now. And she isn't. With everything she has, money, education, resources, exposure, she can't find her way back to herself & what we see is her real instinct. She crumbles every time.
She's in a terrible box and it doesn't look like she will find her way out.
But it never did to me.
To be a little fair though, her father is an accused rapist, spiteful racist, con man and more, more, more. I believe what we see in her is the result of being raised with a father like that. Stockholm Syndrome, PTSD, etc. Her mother taught her to be complicit and she is carrying the flag - everything for the money. If ever there was a time to evolve beyond that it's now. And she isn't. With everything she has, money, education, resources, exposure, she can't find her way back to herself & what we see is her real instinct. She crumbles every time.
She's in a terrible box and it doesn't look like she will find her way out.
But it never did to me.
4
Ivanka and her supposed liberality are false, barely a strategy of power for the presidency of her father ...
Two recent articles about Javanka tear away the curtain and expose the seamy side of their business practices. Politico's story about Ivanka's crooked jewelry business partner, Moshe Lax, leads one to believe there is more to come. Bloomberg's story on Jared's disastrous purchase of 666 Fifth Ave is an indication of financial problems in the Kushner empire.
3
Ivanka is the mob boss' daughter. She is far more polished and sophisticated than her crude and vulgar father, but she fully understands and perfectly practices the true Trump family values, mobster values. Everything else about Ivanka is a con, also a core family value.
6
It's fun to vent. But you have a straw man, or in this case a straw woman here as the target. DId anyone seriously pin any hopes for the future of the Republic or its women on Ms. Trump? I didn't get that memo.
1
Ivanka Trump. Ah yes, the founder and heroine of the Women's Liberation movement. That she thinks she has worked so hard and sacrificed so much to further the cause of working women is as ridiculous as the women who buy what she's selling.
3
All of the Trumps should be ostracized from every social institution in America except for one: PRISON.
2
Its amazing how trite homilies are so often apt - no wonder they are said over and over through the decades, thus
THE APPLE DOES NOT FALL FAR FROM THE TREE
or to modernize this and make it specific to the trumps
they are all , every single one of them, a rotten , mean spirited , self centered , horrific, people.
Not as catchy I'll admit but it strikes a cord of truth.
THE APPLE DOES NOT FALL FAR FROM THE TREE
or to modernize this and make it specific to the trumps
they are all , every single one of them, a rotten , mean spirited , self centered , horrific, people.
Not as catchy I'll admit but it strikes a cord of truth.
"There is not going to be a surprise silver lining to the Trump presidency — not from Ivanka Trump, not from Jared Kushner, not from Rex Tillerson, not from John Kelly. This is it."
Great op-ed!! No truer words than "there is not going to be a surprise silver lining to the Trump presidency".
As SNL showed so well, Ivanka is Complicit.
Great op-ed!! No truer words than "there is not going to be a surprise silver lining to the Trump presidency".
As SNL showed so well, Ivanka is Complicit.
12
If you haven't caught the 2003 documentary "Born Rich" you should. Shot by a Johnson & Johnson heir, it features an interview with Ivanka Trump before much of the limelight (and before the blonde hair). It's extremely revealing. Oh, I see its on YouTube. Here you go, Ivanka appears about 10m in.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8o46HH-TfNY#t=10m
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8o46HH-TfNY#t=10m
4
Shawn--Taking it all for granted, and not adopting the mantra: "with great fortune comes great responsibility." Sorry, a museum is usually a selfish effort. Instead, they should do something for the majority of their fellow citizens, like funding scholarships, supporting equal education for all, making sure every American has shelter and food, etc., etc. There are so many things they should be doing, but are not. The "donations" they make, say to the arts, just save them from paying proper taxes, right? To be honest it would be good if they actually PAID their taxes, in the interest of the well being of the entire company, then encourage that we fund the proper programs that benefit the majority of Americans. I have a poor opinion of most wealthy people, not that they give a hoot what I think.
Ivanka, Melania and the Litton woman are a cover up for Trump's misogynist hatred of women. Tell them, the Trump women, to get off their stilettos and meet the real women of this country; the immigrants, the working and honest women of the country. The women who courageously go to work every day of the week making sure that their families are fed and clothed. They, the Trump women, wouldn't recognize these proud American women if they fell over them.
9
She has taken the daughter thing as far as she can go. Everyone now sees her and hubby for what they really are--valueless, unethical, greedy, ignorant Trump facilitators. Why did we expect anything else? Hope is eternal I guess...but apparently not for those who Dream of a better world...
9
An empty,vacuous,not very bright but ruthless vessel. The apple doesn't fall from the toxic tree.
12
Lindy West is, by far, the best columnist this paper has. Every piece is so well written, funny, biting, and insightful. My comment is generic, I realize, but when such words get me equal parts fired-up and awe-struck, I just have to take to the comment boards to extol as much. Thank you for your hard work, Lindy.
8
Who knew that Ivanka Trump was a Princess in the House of Trump who inherited her wealth and power before marrying into more wealth and power?
No Presidential daughter ever presumed to wield such official partisan political influence without any obvious relevant educational or practical experience or talent. No President has ever been so brazenly misogynist and unfaithful as Donald Trump.
Then there is Melania Trump who is both our first third Presidential wife and first naturalized citizen and first professional model. Melania offers no more guarantee for moderating and influencing her 71 year old husband than does Ivanka.
No Presidential daughter ever presumed to wield such official partisan political influence without any obvious relevant educational or practical experience or talent. No President has ever been so brazenly misogynist and unfaithful as Donald Trump.
Then there is Melania Trump who is both our first third Presidential wife and first naturalized citizen and first professional model. Melania offers no more guarantee for moderating and influencing her 71 year old husband than does Ivanka.
10
All I have to say is: "Right on!"
5
It's a shame, because some of Ivanka's dress designs are quite attractive. But I cannot, will not, buy anything that she creates -- and that includes policy.
Really?????????
Not to me!
Not to me!
1
It's good you feel that way, Diva, because Ivanka hasn't -- as far as any of us knows -- created anything. Not those dresses. Not the shoes, the jewelry, etc. And she hasn't, of course, created a policy.
2
Thank you for stating what should be obvious. Do not let exhaustion cause you to end the fight for survival, whether or not you are female or male. RESIST or relinquish your freedom America.
4
Exactly so. They are not going to save us. We are going to have to save ourselves, and the deplorables along with us.
4
I detest and deplore the Liar-in-Chief and his family as much as everyone here and around the world. Sometimes my empathy gene energizes for them - just for a minute or so - and I think that his children are suffering from Stockholm Syndrome. Then I see their blank eyes and smug smiles, and hear their lies, and the gene goes dormant again as I remember that they're complicit - directly and indirectly - in the destruction of our country.
8
Phshew! That's the sound of me exhaling. I was holding my breath, waiting for Jared to solve the Middle East as instructed by his father-in-law. And complete all the other monumental challenges. Solve "China trade". Reform the basic structure of government. Well, there's hardly anyone left in the government to do anything anymore. But who cares? The GOP doesn't believe in federal gov't. Even when they are the federal government. See, they do have some principles. And they do appreciate that Jared and Ivanka are there, bright young faces to help the White House sell us more of the same flim-flam we're used to. Numbness is already setting in. Hey, let's send Jared and Dennis Rodman to North Korea. Sounds good.
4
At the end of the day, Don is the dad. Ivanka has been given a ceremonial role in the admin, and she will not stand up to daddy. Like her dad, she is in over her head.
5
Ivanka is just as big of a grifter -- if not bigger -- as anyone else in that family.
Why does anyone take seriously anything this poseur says? She, just like the rest of them, is in this for her own gain -- she just doesn't want to be as obvious about it, which is why she talks a better game and looks like she's actually doing something in the process.
LOL -- "intellectual dilletante and Beltway laughingstock" -- a description she should trademark because it suits her so perfectly.
Why does anyone take seriously anything this poseur says? She, just like the rest of them, is in this for her own gain -- she just doesn't want to be as obvious about it, which is why she talks a better game and looks like she's actually doing something in the process.
LOL -- "intellectual dilletante and Beltway laughingstock" -- a description she should trademark because it suits her so perfectly.
8
Not sure who said it (I think Walter Lippman), but something like, if you haven't rebelled by 21 you will be forever middle age---that describes Trumps kids.
2
I love this. More, please.
7
Everything I needed to know about Ivanka Trump was on full display at her father's SOS address. She stood coldly, calmly by the sobbing, grief stricken widow of the navy seal killed on a botched mission, without exhibiting the least bit of compassion or empathy. She stood there and clapped - clapped!, while her dolt of a father remarked on the great applause her (deceased) husband was receiving.
It incenses me that this woman considers herself, her husband and her brothers, qualified to sit in the oval office, to offer opinion and judgement on life or death matters that affect millions of Americans and the entire planet. I am so very weary, worn out with worry, disgusted with these self-serving opportunists, and yearn for the day that I never have to see any of their faces or hear their voices again, that we are finally rid of them. And that day can't come soon enough - the damage is already incalculable and possibly irreparable - if at all.
It incenses me that this woman considers herself, her husband and her brothers, qualified to sit in the oval office, to offer opinion and judgement on life or death matters that affect millions of Americans and the entire planet. I am so very weary, worn out with worry, disgusted with these self-serving opportunists, and yearn for the day that I never have to see any of their faces or hear their voices again, that we are finally rid of them. And that day can't come soon enough - the damage is already incalculable and possibly irreparable - if at all.
7
Take away the nepotism and what's left?
4
Just to be clear, the so-called "gender wage gap" is a myth. If one controls for hours worked, type of work, and time accumulated in the labor force, the gap narrows to virtually zero. In fact, if you look at young men and women under 30 currently in the labor force, the women are out-earning the men. (And then there is the whole other matter of women now constituting about 60% of the college population while men are disadvantaged at 40%). So, let's stop pretending that women experience wage-discrimination in the labor force.
"Business Insider" says, "Today, on average, a woman earns 79 cents for every dollar a man earns." Your "controls" of hours worked and so on is nonsense, and you know it, Mr. Poole. Or you should know it.
And what has the growing female population in colleges got to do with anything? Are you saying that colleges prefer women to men? Are women trading sex for admission? Are we fighting unfairly? Cheating?
And what has the growing female population in colleges got to do with anything? Are you saying that colleges prefer women to men? Are women trading sex for admission? Are we fighting unfairly? Cheating?
1
Ivanka Trump is just a variation on her family's theme. They are all self-serving, dishonest, greedy parvenus. Her breathy, words are no more trustworthy, than her father's. When it comes to her contribution to the common good, Ivanka is singularly, stingy. She has given no value, whatsoever. Clearly, another "successful" Trump.
6
What's hilarious to me is that people put a lot of stock in her because, simply, she's pretty. Why would anyone think being consistently flattered all your life would make you a good person?
This same fallacy permeates all of our culture. If Trump was honest about his hairline, for instance, we would have a female president. Utter and inane foolishness.
This same fallacy permeates all of our culture. If Trump was honest about his hairline, for instance, we would have a female president. Utter and inane foolishness.
1
Ivanka is damaged goods as the daughter 'raised' by Trump. As such,
she is useless, a dilettante, and has no clue about American
working womens' issues.
she is useless, a dilettante, and has no clue about American
working womens' issues.
5
I'm happy (well, not really as who can be happy in these Trump days) that the whole Ivanka the good daughter thing has finally exploded. How anyone could have suggested that Trump's daughter would influence him for good when she had never done so before, a woman who herself demonstrated a clear lack of conscience in her previous life before the White House, was always ridiculous. I have friends whose parents are racists and homophobes and some of them even see their parents on rare occasions, but always reluctantly, and they certainly never supported their parents in their nastiness. Ivanka Trump is as ugly as her father and, as almost always happens with aging, will only get worse in time,
6
Perhaps she'll focus her attention on her step-mom's anti cyber bullying campaign (remember that one??)
4
But , but but---she looks so good on TV. And she says so many "right" things. And she's the boss' daughter.
That's enough on most reality shows.
That's enough on most reality shows.
1
The term 'Crime Family' comes to mind whenever I read anything regarding the Trumps; trophy hunting, race baiting, alternative fact folks, climate change denying, using religion as a political tool, no respect for taxpayer $'s, and hobnobbing with the dregs of society - if they have enough money, the trumps will exploit them.
There isn't a shred of decency in any of them (HurricaneTrump?) and None of what they do is shocking. From the start, anyone paying attention could see how they would be the vilest, most detestable, least empathetic occupants the White House has ever seen - a mere 7 months in.
Each day is a new horror, which comes relentlessly. I don't believe this presidency will end well - for any of us.
Signed,
A progressive Canadian who cares deeply about this world; the only world we have, and the only one we ALL call home.
There isn't a shred of decency in any of them (HurricaneTrump?) and None of what they do is shocking. From the start, anyone paying attention could see how they would be the vilest, most detestable, least empathetic occupants the White House has ever seen - a mere 7 months in.
Each day is a new horror, which comes relentlessly. I don't believe this presidency will end well - for any of us.
Signed,
A progressive Canadian who cares deeply about this world; the only world we have, and the only one we ALL call home.
6
And don't forget, she and Jared live high on the hog with his income as a slum lord and on borrowed money as he scrambles to find investors to rescue him from his failing building at 666 Park Avenue. (interesting address that: the devils own number!)
4
Ivanka is first and foremost a Trump -- i.e. a self-promoting, lying opportunist who somehow made her way into the White House against all odds and all reason for the express purpose of self-enrichment. Full Stop.
I'm astonished that people who derided the hateful, divisive campaign of Donald Trump actually put stock in Ivanka. Why? Because she speaks better? Her "message" comes in a prettier package? Her comparative youth implies she's more progressive? Not having a long, public, Donald-like, history of unscrupulous behavior means she's worthy of the nation's trust? People saw what they hoped was there. And it wasn't, isn't, and never will be. She's just another tentacle on the Trump greed machine that took over the West Wing. Being Trump trumps everything.
I'm astonished that people who derided the hateful, divisive campaign of Donald Trump actually put stock in Ivanka. Why? Because she speaks better? Her "message" comes in a prettier package? Her comparative youth implies she's more progressive? Not having a long, public, Donald-like, history of unscrupulous behavior means she's worthy of the nation's trust? People saw what they hoped was there. And it wasn't, isn't, and never will be. She's just another tentacle on the Trump greed machine that took over the West Wing. Being Trump trumps everything.
4
The Trump's are a family of con artists. I'm not sure about Melania, she at least keeps her mouth shut, and while dutiful, isn't too effusive in he adulation of her husband -- but perhaps she is working a long con of her own.
1
Brava! I am an angry, old white woman who cannot understand what happened to compassion for our fellow Americans. Oh, wait, they aren't white or rich. Ivanka Trump is a paper doll. There is no depth, and certainly no substance to her. She and her husband don't have the brains to understand what they don't know.
4
Dear Ms. West, my only complaint with your piece is that it is not savage enough. Ms Trump deserves even more ridicule and derision perhaps than her father for her ineffectual posturing and clear as day hypocrisy. She is a wolf in a cuddly sheep's clothing. If she cares about anything other than money and her family, it is hard to find the evidence of this in her actions.
2
Under all of that superficial polish is another Trump. The entire Crime Family should be given the gift we give our pets: neutral or spay. This avoids "bad blood" from spreading into the population at large.
Make no mistake, we need this skanky clan (and more of them) like we need an Ebola epidemic.
Make no mistake, we need this skanky clan (and more of them) like we need an Ebola epidemic.
3
Ivanka is her father's favorite child precisely because she is the most like him and, as a female, his wealth has able to provide the cosmetic surgery to turn an otherwise tall, gangly girl into his ideal of a beauty queen/model. As she flicks her hair back with her middle finger and rests her semblance of a chin (overcoming the Hapsburglike genes of her family) on her finger at meetings, she truly believes that her "success" is due to her hard work and superiority. Every time she opens her mouth, her blather mirrors her father's amorality and shameless self-promotion. As a Jew, I am nauseated by her and Jared's Creflo Dollar brand of observant Judaism, which they flaunt as somehow evidence of their goodness. In addition to the SNL "Complicit" skit, the truest image about Ivanka was her own Instagram post in a silver metallic gown, which was quickly shown as a split screen of a refugee child wrapped in a silver heat blanket. There is no hope and never was for any of this family or their supporters and enablers.
2
Ivanka and Jared came prancing into Washington to be daddy's show ponies. They are to be trotted out on special occasions to preform for the audience. They are just a phony act. Like their handler they cannot be trusted or believed. They are shallow at best and hollow at worst.
3
She's white, blonde, thin & conventionally pretty, so some assume her to be a magical creature. The whole administration seems to be based on a line from "Fiddler on the Roof" - "When you're rich, they think you really know." They don't know, but far more crucial - they don't care.
5
I share my total disgust with anything Trump with you, but from the beginning, I never had any faith or trust in them.
2
"There is not going to be a surprise silver lining to this presidency." Oh YES, there have been many so far. More to come, except for the PC police.
Based on the paucity of comments, it appears that readers have already relegated Ivanka to the markdown table. Undeniably, “more a logo than a person”. She, herself, is an epic fashion fail.
2
Somebody persuade Ivanka to set up a lemonade stand in her guarded building and shake down her staff for money like she did as a child. Then this creature might spare the rest of us her gilded lies.
1
A real advocate for women would fight for pro-life causes which empowers women. President Trump is doing just that in his appointing pro- life women to his cabinet. I am sure Ivanka Trump had some input to this very important decision.
1
FORCING a teenage girl or adult women to bear a child against their will is the epitome of disempowerment. "Pro-life causes" attempt to do just that - FORCE teenage girls and women to give birth against their will. FORCING them to bear a child in the face of financial struggles, medical and health issues, family problems or simply desire to not give birth subjugates women and relegates them to a mere procreative vessel.
4
This comment is not worth the electrons it would take to refute it. There is nothing pro-woman about Donald Trump.
3
The only thing that surprises me any longer about the Trump family is how many people continue to buy the fraud they are selling, who continue to say they "hope" he (they) will "pivot", etc. The Trump family is the epitome of "All hat, no cattle" (oops, typo. "Hat" first came out as "hate". Also appropriate).
Without his father's $14 million "seed" money, This family would be nowhere. They are not smart. They are thugs who use brutality to enrich themselves, not brains.
Put the fashion mag down, Melania. You're not going to find any info. on cyberbullying to help with your stated plans in there. How's that going, anyway? Haven't heard a word.
Trump falls into the category of so overtly horrific that the blame really falls on every person who ever moved him along out of their own self-interest. Matt Damon's recent revelation that Trump had to make cameos if production wanted to use his properties didn't make me blanche at Trump. It make me wonder why they agreed. Why didn't they find some other gaudy gilded set? Shame on every person who has fed this beast's ego.
Without his father's $14 million "seed" money, This family would be nowhere. They are not smart. They are thugs who use brutality to enrich themselves, not brains.
Put the fashion mag down, Melania. You're not going to find any info. on cyberbullying to help with your stated plans in there. How's that going, anyway? Haven't heard a word.
Trump falls into the category of so overtly horrific that the blame really falls on every person who ever moved him along out of their own self-interest. Matt Damon's recent revelation that Trump had to make cameos if production wanted to use his properties didn't make me blanche at Trump. It make me wonder why they agreed. Why didn't they find some other gaudy gilded set? Shame on every person who has fed this beast's ego.
1098
I keep wondering how that poor little boy is going to turn out. Is it even remotely possible that his mother's influence might keep him human. rather than a mechanical money-machine like his father and his cousins?
The apple doesn't fall from the tree. It just dangles.
13
Where it lands, it will rot.
She is no more competent for public office than her completely inexperienced and inept father.
24
Imagining Ivanka Trump's as a change agent is like those old ads for brassieres, - "I imagined I influenced the president in my Maidenform bra" - and just as illusory. With her blank stare, her expressionless face, her marmoreal demeanor, she is the very image of detachment and disengagement. She is not going to wrinkle her spotless sheath dress or muss her perfectly coiffed hair tangling with the orange-thatched Oval Office toddler destroying America, and the planet. Like her father, Ivanka is simply promoting an image and licensing a brand - the real grunt work of containing her father's worse impulses (they're all bad) falls to his three generals, Kelly, Mathis and McMasters. Meanwhile Ivanka postures as a progressive with all the sincerity of a Potemkin village mannequin.
23
Gosh, this is just terrible news. I had heard that the whole Star Wars future was going to be based on Princess Iwanta. So you're saying she doesn't have special powers?
10
Ivanka can't fix what's wrong with her dad. It's not like she can grow him another brain in a jar.
The Daily Beast reports Donald Trump spent last week trying to find a White House job for Sheriff Dave Clarke, who resigned from the Milwaukee County Jail. Trump's impressed w/ Sheriff Dave, telling many people Clarke is "a good man."
Sheriff Dave left Milwaukee Co. Jail trailed by lawsuits. 2 involve female inmates incarcerated on his watch. One, who was 8 1/2 months pregnant & shackled to a bed, became ill when guards withheld her medication for a week. Her baby died inside her. A 2nd pregnant inmate told guards her water broke but they left her to give birth alone in her cell. She only received medical attention 2 hours after giving birth. Her baby died. Management claims the baby was actually stillborn. Both women are suing Sheriff Clarke.
Trump was eager to give Clarke a White House position until Chief of Staff Kelly insisted that Clarke wasn't acceptable.
The reality is that Trump's too crazy or depraved to care that some people in his circle are evil criminals & psychopaths. Trump apparently isn't troubled by Sheriff Dave's sordid history & wanted to hire him regardless. Trump may be so depraved he actually believes men who treat women the way Sheriff Dave treats women are "good men."
Let that sink in.
It's possible Ivanka's life with her father has been a horror show & Ivanka is struggling. Either way, Ivanka is not going to save us.
The Daily Beast reports Donald Trump spent last week trying to find a White House job for Sheriff Dave Clarke, who resigned from the Milwaukee County Jail. Trump's impressed w/ Sheriff Dave, telling many people Clarke is "a good man."
Sheriff Dave left Milwaukee Co. Jail trailed by lawsuits. 2 involve female inmates incarcerated on his watch. One, who was 8 1/2 months pregnant & shackled to a bed, became ill when guards withheld her medication for a week. Her baby died inside her. A 2nd pregnant inmate told guards her water broke but they left her to give birth alone in her cell. She only received medical attention 2 hours after giving birth. Her baby died. Management claims the baby was actually stillborn. Both women are suing Sheriff Clarke.
Trump was eager to give Clarke a White House position until Chief of Staff Kelly insisted that Clarke wasn't acceptable.
The reality is that Trump's too crazy or depraved to care that some people in his circle are evil criminals & psychopaths. Trump apparently isn't troubled by Sheriff Dave's sordid history & wanted to hire him regardless. Trump may be so depraved he actually believes men who treat women the way Sheriff Dave treats women are "good men."
Let that sink in.
It's possible Ivanka's life with her father has been a horror show & Ivanka is struggling. Either way, Ivanka is not going to save us.
19
Wait, you mean Ivanka is a shameless liar like her father? Is anyone surprised?
The only consolation we will get (and it is modest, to be sure) is that history will be very unkind to her. But she is likely too vapid and self-absorbed to care.
The only consolation we will get (and it is modest, to be sure) is that history will be very unkind to her. But she is likely too vapid and self-absorbed to care.
12
Complicit is the name of her perfume.
10
Wasn't it clear from the get-go where Ivanka's values lie? What else has she been taught besides keeping up appearances? She was never an advocate for the work a day woman. The top one percent are so removed and protected from the realities average Americans face. It is laughable and naive to expect public advocacy from a cloistered rich woman. "Adviser" to POTUS has a nice ring to it, though. Looks good on a vitae.
5
Have we sunk so low as a civilization, that our savior is the daughter of a demagogue who designs made in China purses?
13
Like her father, Ivanka struts and preens, inserting herself into everything, upstaging international meetings, presidential interviews, etc.
It's does nothing for women.
She uses her children as props. For herself and her father. As if precious little ones (and who can doubt that?) will absolve venality and gaudiness (and who can doubt that?).
I'm so tired of this family. This Crime Syndicate masquerading as government.
Let them applaud (themselves) as much as they like. Their "brand" is headed for the garbage heap of history.
I'm a woman. I've been successful. Guess what? Without make-up. Without heels. Without tacky clothing. Without exploiting anybody. And certainly - Without Ivanka!
I'm retired. I reject her.
Bring on Kamala Harris!
It's does nothing for women.
She uses her children as props. For herself and her father. As if precious little ones (and who can doubt that?) will absolve venality and gaudiness (and who can doubt that?).
I'm so tired of this family. This Crime Syndicate masquerading as government.
Let them applaud (themselves) as much as they like. Their "brand" is headed for the garbage heap of history.
I'm a woman. I've been successful. Guess what? Without make-up. Without heels. Without tacky clothing. Without exploiting anybody. And certainly - Without Ivanka!
I'm retired. I reject her.
Bring on Kamala Harris!
33
Please, no. We do not need Kamala Harris as the leader of anything. Yet. She needs to put her nose to the grindstone and prove her mettle as a senator. Give the democratic party a chance to reboot, win some mid-terms, run (and win) a commonplace white man for president. then in 12 years or so, perhaps the USA will be ready for a woman president. If she has done a good job, go for it. No more junior ROTCs for president.
I was excersiing at the Jewish Community Center, and several ladies spoke to me. The ladies are from New York and in their 80's and absolutely know everything. Why did Ivanka choose our culture and religion? That was enough said. I agree. Ivanka please show you are Sadie from Delancy Street. Show me your Jewishness, care about people, not your self. There are so many great Jewish women in the world, be one.
7
Very nice!
1
“Yeah, she’s really something, and what a beauty, that one. If I weren’t happily married and, ya know, her father . . . “ Trump said to Rolling Stone in 2015.
Perhaps the reason Ivanka keeps that her distance from the predator-in-chief is literal fear of being near him. It's hard to be a political influencer when all the person you're talking to can think about is your body.
Perhaps the reason Ivanka keeps that her distance from the predator-in-chief is literal fear of being near him. It's hard to be a political influencer when all the person you're talking to can think about is your body.
6
So what is it that every couple of weeks someone needs to write an editorial in the NYTimes that Ivanka is nothing but a vapid air-head with no influence over her daddy? Hasn't it been clear enough from the start that you might as well listen to pronouncements from her half-brother Barron since nothing she says rises above that of an eleven year old? Do we really need to point that out over and over again? Let's just focus on what the Republicans in general are saying and doing because it is really the Congress that enacts laws and so far they appear to be in full agreement with President of the Electoral College Trump's policies even if occasionally a couple of them balk at the way he frames them.
7
Money is her God... how unfortunate for us...