FYI: Technically, one has to have a Jewish mother to be Jewish by birth. Ivanka is a proselyte, that is, a convert. In her case for matrimonial reasons. Ironical, considering that, according to the President, even if one is born in America one is not American!
I find the Kushners' responses to this incident little more than window dressing, if they actually responded for more than a Pittsburgh photo op. The bigoted patriarch they follow on their path to power and wealth has joined himself with anti-Semites, Neo-Nazis, white supremacists and bigots of all kinds, and they have been silent--as they should have.
You can't espouse the acceptance of all people when you can't do it yourself.
Jared Kushner is Jewish only when it is politically convenient and Trump's defense of Jewish Americans is situational, depending on his impulsive feelings at any given moment. Trump's recent trip to Pennsylvania was nothing more than a photo -op, ostensibly to express his grief. But when a woman was killed at the neo-Nazi march in Charlottesville, Va., Trump blamed "both sides" and expressed no sorrow. Inconsistency is Trump's only consistency.
3
Honestly? I must be missing something. I see no evidence that Jared or Ivanka has done ANYTHING to influence Trump in any way, or made any contribution to this country whatsoever.
I am still wondering what exactly they do all day. No one seems able to say.
13
The report states that Matthew Brooks, the executive director of the Republican Jewish Coalition, said that the expectations demanded of Ms. Trump and Mr. Kushner were outsized, and the criticism of them simply unfair.
Is Mr. Brooks willing to denounce white nationalism or does he first want to check with President Trump?
11
They remind me of Gomez and Morticia, but without the redeeming qualities or sense of humor.
9
Never trust anyone who has lived an entire life in a bubble of unearned wealth, constant adulation and impunity - which applies equally to Trump, Ivanka, Jared, Don Jr., Eric, and 90% of his Cabinet, not to mention Gorsuch and Kavanaugh. They all have affluenza, for which there is no cure and will only worsen as long as we continue to adore them as does this article.
14
I don't know what Jared and Ivanka are saying to the president, but I think focusing on their presence, the Jewish grandkids, etc., is a distraction. Trump may or may not like Jewish people, but it doesn't matter. He's entirely transactional, so when tacitly appeasing white supremacists is in his political interests, he just does it. I doubt that any of them has come to grips with how dangerous that is. The problem, as history has shown, is that they may not realize it until it's too late. So let's focus on what Trump says and does, not on who his relatives are.
14
It is incredible to me how almost all those claiming Trump is hateful cannot seem to stop spewing hate against him and his family for even just one moment. If we really want our public discourse to charge for the better then why don't we all start right now.
2
I frankly find no substantial effect from the 'advice' these two may have offered Mr. Trump in relation to the murders of 11 Jewish people in a synagogue in Pittsburgh. A momentary lessening of his caustic behavior is no reason to think their influence is taking hold.
I try never to paint a picture with just one brush but this entire administration...trump, the cabinet, the WH aides, their "team(s) of lawyers", the GOP controlled congress, and Yes Jared and Ivanka...have chosen to lie, deregulate common sense policy, insult and demean anyone who questions their behavior, align themselves with autocratic rulers, fail to condemn obvious hate groups, use questionable methods to enrich themselves, attack the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution on what seems like a daily basis for their own ends and purposes.
If Jared and Ivanka really want to offer sound advice to this president they should advise him to resign.
14
What’s the point with Trump’s actions and statements here. As if he has some sympathetic connection. He’s simply trying to walk back all his polarizing speech. Such a rank amateur.
5
If Ivanka and Jared, both Jewish, are shaping Trump's response, then they are as tone-deaf as Trump is.
Trump should not have visited Pittsburgh yesterday. The mayor asked him to wait, but Trump, as usual, did as he pleased.
Trump violated these poor victims of violence almost as much as the shooter did. By visiting during their funerals, he turned the spotlight from them to himself. Wrong, just wrong!
14
Shorter version: Donald Trump has to be carefully coached and guided to demonstrate any semblance of normal human empathy and sorrow. This is the nature and behavior of a sociopath.
12
If Jared and Ivanka are the devout and pious Jews they claim to be, they would have advised the president not to go to Pittsburgh at least until all the funerals have been held.
Their presence at this time is an unwelcome distraction and logistical headache for a city that is experiencing enough without having to deal with the Trump contingent.
These people never think of anyone but themselves.
As it is, the was no official welcome for them from the governor, a Republican, or the mayor, a Democrat.
Kudos to the Democrats and Republican who turned down Trump's invitation to join him.
12
Poor Ivanka! You can tell she's really sad.
Also, I like her coat.
6
I grew up in Pittsburgh, Jewish. My grandmother's house was four blocks from Tree of Life, and I spent many a weekend and evening at that house. My grandparents went to Rodef Shalom, where the funeral services are being held. Other family members likely went to Tree of Life at some point.
I feel a lot of rage right now, which is out of character for me. Based on what he has said to stir up racial bias and hatred over the last 3 years (campaign included), this man has no right to come to my city of birth and pretend that he gives a hoot. And his daughter and son-in-law should be smart enough to understand why he shouldn't be doing this.
After Charlottesville, it was pretty clear where he stands on this issue. My wife even worries, and says that we should have a plan to leave the country should he turn on the Jewish population. Yes, I know he has family who are Jewish, but those of us who aren't billionaires don't matter to the president.
For those who say he's president, and this is what Presidents do: this visit is clearly being done before the upcoming election for a reason. To curry favor with Jews before the election next week, who are not happy with him. Florida's Senate race is razor tight, and I'm sure this is one reason the president went to Pittsburgh.
50
Jared- Ivanka influencing Trump? I believe they are both motivated by money, not ethics.
When the final tally is made, I hope the legal defense fees wipe out the ill-gotten, nepotistic gains of Jared and Ivanka.
26
One lives one's religion/beliefs every day, not just during times of horror. Most of the time they enable an amoral man. I am not impressed with either one of these people.
24
Can't really relate to whatever the president gets from these two. If they had any decency, they would have been able to understand and reinforce the wishes of the victim's families, friends, and synagogue members. Certainly not join the president on his trip. If these crimes bother them, they should work on using their influence to keep them from happening.
15
Myriad photo-ops and a full page article for the president's daughter and son-in-law. Why? This is not about them it is about 11 people who were murdered because of the hate that has been encouraged at the highest levels of Government.
21
I applaud Jared and Ivanka for getting the president's attention on this sensitive issue. I don't understand why they would counsel him to go to Pittsburgh during the funerals or when the family, the mayor, many people in the Pittsburgh Jewish community are asking him to not come.
Just comes off like the usual Trump; no one's going to tell him what to do, even if he himself knows nothing about the issue.
The most tone deaf president I've seen in my 60+ years. We need to VOTE so maybe he'll hear the voice of the majority.
5
Who cares what the Kushner's did or did not do? In this regard, there is no evidence to suggest that they have made any attempt to get Trump to put and end to his incendiary and violence-encouaraging rhetoric.
Moreover, the fact that, they may have convinced him to appear in Pittsburgh, is of no moment in light of the fact that it was against the community's wishes.
Finally, I would argue that the facts clearly demonstrate that no reasonable person (excluding, by definition, Trump supporters) , can claim that Trump's words cannot be linked to both the pipe bomber/would be mass assassin and the despicable mass murderer of the members of the Tree of Life congregation.
11
If Trump had a genuine interest in all humans,he would not need constant coaching on how that act and talk so he seems to show some empathy when tragedy strikes.
10
trump " who has grown frustrated over being accused of engendering a politically volatile climate."
Is he really daring to use the "some of my best friends are.... " card, when he actively foments hatred, divisiveness on a daily basis just to motivate his basest-of-all-base base? When "healing" words come out of this man's mouth, they are tele-prompted, otherwise we see the inhumanity of trump every time he speaks or tweets - his rallies, that's the real trump and that's who is reported. If he doesn't like what is being reported, then he should change his negative messages - but I'm not holding my breath!
3
It s not possible to separate anti-Semitism from the "white nationalism" (which is a terrible term, people should just call it what it is -- white supremacy or neo-Nazism or just plain Nazism.)
The neo-Nazis or KKK and white suppremacists are also the anti-Semites and vice versa.
A big reason this Jewish congregation was targeted was because it was listed as a congregation that supported the HIAS refugee work. Jared and Ivanka are deliberately ignoring that reality.
Their Judaism is currently being used for the political purpose of supporting Trump ... but until they condemn the hate of immigrants and refugees and people of color, something which would put them in conflict with President's Trump's political strategy, they are aiding and abetting the problem.
9
Yes, one has to commend the readiness of the Kushners to be poster children to demonstrate Trump's empathy for devout Judaism. They add a special whiff of legitimate complicity to the president's unwelcome visit to Pittsburgh. Nearly as helpful as the Vice-President Mike Pence's personal appearance the day before where prayers for unity after the shooting were decried:
"Vice President Mike Pence condemned anti-Semitism and the deadly massacre at Pittsburgh synagogue, and asked “a leader in the Jewish community” to offer a prayer for the victims and the country.
As he began his prayer, it became immediately clear that the rabbi, Loren Jacobs of Congregation Shema Yisrael in suburban Detroit, would not be considered a Jew by any of the four major denominations of Judaism. In his prayer, he mentioned the “saving power” of the Lord and concluded, “In the name of Jesus, amen.”"
14
I can't even. He needs advice on how to respond to the horrific murders that took place in a house of worship? President Obama didn't need anyone telling him how to act or respond when Dylan Rooff murdered eleven worshipers in Charleston! In fact, President Obama gave the eulogy for those eleven people and led the congregation in singing Amazing Grace. That event was televised to the nation. Donald Trump has zero empathy and could not care less about people being killed, especially if they're Jewish or Black, or Muslim or Mexican. All he cares about is himself and his power, and he'll do anything it takes to elevate himself within his base and gain more. He is a despicable excuse for a human being. This tragedy proves it.
14
When Trump once said "I let my daughter marry a jew." I was struck by the implicit bigotry that he could have prevented the marriage based on religion.
It's the same as "some of my best friends are jewish."
11
Trump shows his true colors (tweeted this morning):
"Melania and I were treated very nicely yesterday in Pittsburgh. The Office of the President was shown great respect on a very sad & solemn day. We were treated so warmly. Small protest was not seen by us, staged far away. The Fake News stories were just the opposite-Disgraceful!"
Clearly he thought the visit was about him. As we say in Yiddish, a shanda!
18
In the Jewish religion, visiting the sick and comforting the bereaved, as President Trump has done in Pittsburgh, are mitzvoth of the highest order. Tell me, what Jewish values are reflected by those who constantly mock and vilify him?
2
@Bob Kantor - I suspect that visiting the sick and comforting the bereaved somehow ceases to be mitzvoth of the highest order when you do it against the express wishes of the sick and bereaved - particularly after you have just finished blaming those very same sick and bereaved for their misfortunes and grief.
Also, please tell me what Jewish values Trump is exhibiting the other 364 days of the year. I’m sure that vilifying immigrants, women, the poor, Muslims, and the environment, all while lying, cozying up to dictators, and fanning the flames of hatred are not among them.
8
@Bob Kantor
As you know, comforting the bereaved is done AFTER the Jewish funeral. But Donald Trump had to attend 2018 campaign stops where he is the center of adoration so he had to make the visit to Pittsburgh to suit his convenience...Donald Trump is no tzaddik! (righteous man).
A display of Fake Grief and creepy posturing for the sake of his supporters. If they really cared about the Jewish community, and all of the oppressed, they would speak up when it really matters, and denounce all white supremacists and conspiracy theorists.
My sincere condolences go to those who lost loved ones in this senseless act of violence.
7
The premise of this story is the unexamined idea that Trump may occasionally think about how an action might impact anyone other than himself. Trump cares exclusively about Trump and how he feels and how any event affects him personally. This emphatically applies to family members.
Ivanka has likely learned to couch everything she says to her dad by making it all about him.
Trump is a racist--and a liar both incidentally and strategically. He wants every racist to turn out to support him. This election is not so much a referendum on Trump as it is a referendum on how much racism and lies should be the driving forces in determining our country's and planet's future.
Many racists somehow believe that you can't be a racist without also being anti-Semitic. Trump needs their vote. He will say and do anything that may help get their vote.
Putting Ivanka, Jared, their children, and their fellow Jews in jeopardy is not of any concern whatsoever to Trump. They are incidental, collateral damage in his unattainable quest for absolute personal glory.
9
I wake up every morning for the past two years with a sense of disbelief and dread that these shameless, amoral, unethical, greedy characters actually occupy the White House and are privy to the nation's top secrets, hence posing a threat to our national security. I can also do without the pretense that Ms. Haberman or any other reporter for that matter, actually has a special insight into who they are, how they think, how their minds work. I am hard put to even grasp the meaning of the headline of this story. Let alone the purpose of it. We are in a twilight zone.
3
What a useful tool Ms. Haberman is for this administration and the soulless characters in the daily reality show! People died and still the supporting cast play their role in enabling incompetence and hate. Election Day is coming!
1
I think DJT has scriptwriters instead of speechwriters. The former are carryovers from his "Reality Show" days.
If only he had stayed with the entertainment industry instead of creating his Making America Grate debacle.
Remember when the speechwriter Peggy Noonan said that former actor President Regan didn't have to BE a good president because he ACTED like a good president.
Now DJT's scriptwriters need to write scripts that are more presidential. But is DJT capable of following a script that is good for more that himself? Will he grow in compassion for others, all others? I hope so.
3
Props to keep Trump the center of all news as he did in NYC decades ago calling into news out lets posing as a spokesman touting his sexual prowess etc. Trump has no shame nor filter much like the dictator he yearns to be in the mold of Kim.
1
This the most infuriating article. In the next few days the president will go back to spewing hate and lies. Why do we think that his daughter and son-in-law will be our saviors? They are profiting from his administration with sweetheart deals abroad and foreign investors lining up for favors. They have given him advice to make sure that he placates a few people while not losing his rabid base. They only want to continue raking in the cash while he tears up the constitution and our democracy. Please no more articles about these leeches on our country.
8
I really don't want to hear about what Ivanka and Jared are doing for Trump in the midst of this horror. Unless they can get him to start acting like an adult human being, governing on behalf of all people and not just his awful "base", and making decisions that are in the country's best interest instead of just shooting from the hip and shooting off his mouth, then what they do hardly matters. Also, the fact that they were the ones who pushed Trump to go to Pittsburgh over the objections of that city's elected officials and even some of the bereaved families is appalling. It tells me everything I need to know about them.
8
MagHabs on-going audition to be Sarah sanders replacement. Hope the Times gets the usual recruiters fee.
1
The only buffer preventing federally sponsored pogroms is the state of Javanka's marriage. We are in deep trouble.
5
Both are embarrassments to our religion, our history, our customs. Shanda.
7
Publicity with more than a dash of hypocrisy.
Nothing more, nothing less...
5
Donald Trump’s words and actions have incited and enabled these extremists. The “ some of my best friends, etc .... “ argument is invalid and insincere when you follow a fascist playbook. This sorry excuse for a leader, and a sorry excuse for a decent human being remains a clear and present danger to our Democracy. The GOP members who do not denounce his fascist agenda, his lies and his enabling of extremists are complicit in all of this . They certainly have no backbones and their contempt for the less fortunate shows they have no hearts.
2
I can't begin to describe how tired I am of seeing articles about how Jared and Ivanka are "quietly and persistently working behind the scenes" to moderate this dumpster fire of an administration.
We've heard this before. They were "quietly and persistently working behind the scenes" to keep us in the Paris Accord. They were "quietly and persistently working behind the scenes" to improve family leave laws. They were "quietly and persistently working behind the scenes" to support minority business owners. That's all amounted to nothing but hot air (literally, in the first case).
I wouldn't care so much - administration officials have been saying pleasant nothings about Good Things and expressing meaningless concern about Bad Things forever - except that the New York Times *insists* on credulously and eagerly publishing breathless accounts of Jared and Ivanka's every "quiet and persistent work" *every single time.*
Stop giving these people column inches. Stop publishing what amount to PR puff pieces. Stop publicizing their obvious attempts to whitewash their involvement in this administration so they can go back to polite New York society when it's all over.
6
@Jack
Thank you for a brilliant summation and a statement of the Kushners' ulterior motive, which is to return to the shallow pool of socialites they sprang from when all this is over. Little do they understand that they will eventually be in total disgrace and on their way to federal prison.
8
These are just words:
“His (Trump’s) daughter is a Jewish American, and his son-in-law is a descendant of Holocaust survivors.” “he’s actually taking serious advice from his daughter”.
These are facts:
Immediately after elections, completely unannounced, Trump brought his family into the WH. There was not, and there is none today, justification / explanation, how Trump’s daughter and her husband serve the interest of the US citizens better than truckloads of other genuinely-qualified Americans. Instead, there is clear evidence that Trumps run their personal businesses while in the Oval Office.
Based on these and countless other facts, no rational person today would believe that Trump suddenly felt empathy with the families of the brutal Pittsburgh massacre. Instead, it is rational to think that genuine feelings are as foreign to Trump’s heart as are smiles to his face.
BTW, Ivanka “is” not Jewish, she appears to practice Judaism, probably a concession to her Jewish husband. To “be” a Jewish, one has to be born out of a Jewish mother. All Jews who did not live in the US during the WW2 could be considered “Holocaust survivors”. How does it apply to Kushner’s parents? Finally, there is no evidence whatsoever that Trump takes an advice from anyone, serious or not.
5
@Grain of Sand
As much as I detest the Trump and Kushner families (ALL the Kushners, including the ones who live in NJ)I must correct your post: anyone who sincerely converts to Judaism is considered to be as Jewish as anyone born into Judaism. I don't know her personally but I accept Ivanka's sincerity: why else would she do it? Also Jared Kushner's GRANDPARENTS were Holocaust survivors, not his parents.
Why is the NYTimes running interference for the complicit couple? Every rock we turn over near these two grifters turns up rot, and now we are being subjected to respected journalists doing their bidding.
Obvious question: Where is the expose of Kushner’s 666 bailout and Saudi ties?
What Mideast peace plan?
This is really disappointing, Maggie.
8
Volker Ullrich's recent Hitler biography describes how Hitler affectionately talked about the Jewish doctor who treated his mother when she was dying. Hitler gave the doctor an exemption, but the gestapo went after all the other Jews.
Whether it's fair to think of Hitler when thinking about Trump, this is also a man who cheated on three wives and was willing to withhold life-saving medical care from his infant nephew to get his brother to give in over a fight on their father's will.
Finally, he's welcomed the support of white supremacist, calling them "very fine people."
I wouldn't take too much reassurance about his son-in-law.
4
When the operating modality is tribalism, xenophobia and strife, it is irrelevant if Trump chooses to shelter his Jewish supporters or his daughters. Nazi's gave Otto Warburg immunity from the Nuremberg decrees because they thought he might come up with a cure for cancer, and Hitler had a lifelong dread of the disease. It saved Otto Warburgh, not 6,000,000 Jews, nor the tens of thousands of gay men and women, as many as 50,000 Roma (gypsies), approximately 2,800,000 slavs and Soviets, and many other victims of the German genocide.
6
@jwp-nyc - Exactly. Genocide is a product of the "other" mentality that Trump feeds on. Chaos and division.
Trump is a conspiracy theorist who absolutely fails to acknowledge that Jews are the targets of so many ugly racist conspiracies. He failed to condemn those in Charlottesville who chanted "Jews will not replace us." And where were Ivanka and Jared when that happened. It's just great that they "helped" him to fashion a response to the massacre in Pittsburgh but based on his tweets and rallies I see no evidence that they have been a moderating influence whatsoever. Trump is not moderate about anything.
2
Too bad Jared and Ivanka didn't bother to speak to tRump about addressing the racist murders of the two grandparents gunned down in Kentucky by a white supremacist. I guess we all know that some minorities' lives are worth more than others - not only to the tRumps, but apparently to the media and everyone else as well.
3
Enough with these self serving articles! I can't stand this couple. They are the worse hypocrits ever. Self serving and entitled. They have no relevant experience, they bring absolutely nothing tot he tabl. All they do is normalize. Where were they when Trump called himself a nationalist? Where were they when families were separated? Where are they now to help the numerous children still stranded because of these policies? Shame on them both. We need them to disappear back to civil life. I remember her talking at the RNC to sell her dad. This is repugnant. I am more mad at them than any other person in this administration.
3
Jared and Ivanka are two of the biggest grifters in the White House today. They have done nothing of significance except take up space in the White House and give bad advice to Trump.
5
The glaring insensitivity of trump, melania, and jivanka showing up in Pittsburgh after being requested not to by the mayor and so many Jews is abhorrent, ill considered, rude and just plain sickening. Just another photo op for this uncouth family.
trump has some responsibility given his verbal rants about using violence against anyone who is not subservient to him and encouraging hatred against people in this country. jivanka are no better than trump himself.
For god's sake, show some sensitivity, some respect for the survivors and stay home because unfortunately as trump amps his hateful, belligerent language this will most likely happen again. As a family you are not fooling anyone with this stunt. I feel ill seeing this obvious photo op as we know that all of you haven't a scintilla of empathy among yourselves.
1
What have they moderated? Nothing.
There were only two newspapers that endorsed Trump for president in 2016, i.e.,
1) The National Enquirer; and
2) The Crusader - which is the KKK's official newspaper.
Trump has renounced the National Enquirer.
Remaining Holocaust survivors are appalled and frightened as a result of Trump's separation policies while referring to immigrants at the southern border as an "infestation".
Why would anyone in one's right mind defer to Jared or Ivanka on ethical behavior. Jared pals around with a Saudi prince who is implicated in a gruesome murder; Ivanka's former employees in her sweatshop in China were treated like slaves.
The Trump family has no sense of decency or shame.
And if this November is a referendum on Trump, then in the name of decency vote out the people who are running for office who have endorsed these influence-peddling, morally bankrupt swindlers a/k/a Trump.
3
Damned if he does; damned of he doesn't. If he didn't go to Pittsburgh, he would be accused of being unfeeling, hostile to Jews, making dog whistles to the right, etc. Must we make the death of 11 people political because we have an election next week? Enough already.
This is a strange and disgusting article. Kushner and his Trump-wife do not represent Jewish people. He may be Jewish, she may have converted but so what, Jewish people don't have nor do we need anyone to represent us, especially them. We have enough problems with Netanyahu and Bennett and the rabbinate of Israel thinking they represent Jewish people.
Kushner is a fraud as is his wife. I have pictures of my grandparents and great grandparents in my office too! So what, it is none of anyone's business. Holocaust? Just about ever Jewish person of Ashkenazic background lost someone or knows someone who did. Again, irrelevant. What is relevant is that those two represent a world that is unreal. They are oligarchs and using the Jewish background of Kushner to present something like sympathy or empathy is ridiculous because they show no sympathy nor empathy anywhere else that doesn't suit their power positions.
BTW: Jewish people are not adorable so they cannot be "adored" as quoted by the Sanders-droid. We are not pets nor are we little children. Trump adores no one but himself. He preens constantly.
So please, NYT, spare me the baloney. It's not even kosher.
10
Please please please stop with Mr. and Mrs. Kushner. They are not moderate Jews. They are not true believers of their faith. Believing in a religion means believing in a higher power other than yourself (and your father). If they had true faith, they would have walked away, scolded or even disinherited themselves from that monster. Religion is about compassion and humanity. The whole family shows none of those qualities.. Jewish or not.
21
@Tourfa
Who are you to judge what's in their hearts.
@Alan Klein
We judge their actions. If their actions are at odds with what is in their hearts, then they are hypocrites.
What is sad to me is that they, as Jews, are willing to stand by and do nothing, while he tweets and speaks anti Semitic garbage, for years. Their actions are too little, too late. Showing up after the fact, when if it weren’t for Trump’s behavior, these people would be alive today, seems the height of hypocrisy. They should be ashamed of themselves. I don’t know how they sleep at night.
11
Let Donald Trump stop encouraging the far right, the white nationalists, and the forces of hatred, and then and only then will anything he does in Pittsburgh matter. All this is just window dressing, and meaningless. His actions and his behavior at rally's and his constant use of "dog whistles" play to the forces of hatred. The fact that he has a Jewish son in law and he still does this says he does not understand what it means to be a jew. I wonder if even Jared does
11
Grifters all, Donald, Ivanka and Jared. Who should believe one word any of them say?
14
My feeling as a Jewish woman, some of whose relatives were killed by the Nazis and taught as a child by Holocaust survivors, is that Jared Kushner is a disgrace to the memory of the grandparents whose photo he keeps on his desk. Until he has the courage to openly denounce the white supremacists and antisemites in this country and to publicly urge the grandfather of his children to not only do the same but to cease his rhetoric of hatred and racism, Jared Kushner shames his ancestors.
19
Katie and Maggie seem very close to Jared and Ivanka. It seems to be clouding their vision about this vapid and useless couple. It also seems unethical journalism.
12
Trump is a chameleon whose colors shift solely for the purpose of exploiting whatever or whoever will be good for Trump. Thus the divisiveness he sows. It is good for Trump. Trump is likely not anti-Semitic. For that matter, he may not be anti-Muslim. He might even have some African American friends. He probably doesn't give a hoot about abortion, either. Who knows?
How did the NYT decide it was important to show us a photo of Jared and Ivanka on their way to Pittsburgh? What meaning is one to make of their presence ? They're Jews? Good Jews? Sincere? Empathetic? That they represent Trump? When Jared stops using his position for personal financial gain, I might be more interested in watching him disembark from a plane. Until then, spare me.
11
Dear Maggie and Katie
You diminish yourselves with this silly, false, puffery piece that fools no one.
The grifting Trumps do not care for the American people. They are the least charitable people on earth and have no idea what it means to be a public servant. Anyone who supports them will be stained by this corrupt, inept administration which has done more harm to the country in 21 months than the last 21 years.
14
Donald begged them to accompany him, since no one else (besides Melania) would, not even super-sycophant Paul Ryan. So after they reluctantly agreed, such machinations to select the perfect little black hat, the root touch-up to the blonde fright wig, the 7-inch heels. Now for the downcast eyes - tough with those heels - the solemn expressions - so much trouble! But anything for Daddy, who really needs us now! Central Casting, eat your heart out.
9
I am totally repulsed by Trump's showcasing his Jewish grandkids and BFFs...as well as Ivanka, Jared, Munuchin, Miller and the rest. It is a very special Jewish value to Welcome the Stranger. WELCOME THE STRANGER, because once we were strangers in Israel. How dare they forget this most essential lesson and put on their plastered Sad Faces while we tear children from their parents at the border. I have NEVER contributed to democrats before, and I find myself giving to democrats EVERYWHERE in this country.
13
Another PR piece for Ken & Barbie
11
Mr. Trump, this is not about your Jewish family members who are unabashedly profiteering from your office, it's about your divisive and provocative actions that lead others to commit acts of violence.
7
Jovanka are window dressing for a proudly fascist and racist wannabe dictator. Cue Mnuchin and the white supremacist Stephen Miller. Behind their Jewish masks, these people have been advancing the cause of racial and religious hatred.
They're playing a dangerous game. At any moment, they could be the victims in the synagogue. How many guards with AK-47s are posted at their Park Avenue temple as these collaborators pose for prayers...a condition directly consequent of their fuhrer's vicious demagoguery?
14
@IRememberAmerica: Miller and Mnuchin will never go into their "Park Avenue" temple again...not that these two monstrosities are/were temple-goers. If they ever DID attend temple services it would either be for a photo-op, or to pray to God to send more, more, more, MONEY into their pockets, or as in Miller's case, to ask God to smite the poor asylum-seeking immigrants.
1
Whenever I hear someone say they "love" or "adore" Jews, I think they mean the opposite. Who would say that except someone who puts a group of people into one category?
9
What ilk of wife (and daughter) helps her husband obtrude on a funeral? I cannot think of two more useless Salukis. They are embarrassing. The humiliation behind the scenes must be awful; I mean, can you imagine sex with Trump: the rolls of fat, the fusty heat—the "requests"?
11
@Anthony Adverse: His mushroom "thing," and his untidy pubes!!!!!!!
2
Jared and Ivanka follow the tenants of Judaism about as much as Pat Robinson follows Christianity. They can act as religious are they want but behind the facade they are satan incarnate.
19
If they really cared about Pittsburgh they would have convinced the so called "president" not to go. They are just a bunch of opportunistic, self serving people. Disgusting.
10
The Trump Family Crime Syndicate uses Judaism as cover for nepotistic self-enriching denial.
12
The stones Trump placed on the graves of Jews murdered by a non-Democrat who thought Trump wasn't anti-Jewish enough-
Were they sham rocks?
Steve Mnuchin? Is that the same guy who kissed up to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman pot Jamal Khashoggi murder in the Saudi Embassy in Istanbul, who got his start in foreclosing American homes as the fonder of OneWest Bank with money borrowed from George Soros??
Whose side is he on?
6
There is a bit too much hate in the comments I read here.
The criticism of Mr. and Mrs. Kushner is utterly unfair. They are doing what they can to help the president see things from a more empathetic perspective (rather then political) and they are trying to bridge the gap between the president and some in the Jewish community. I can't see any positive aspects to have this president being distanced from the Jewish community.
Those who argue that building this bridge is a bad thing are (in my view) not focusing on what is good to the Jewish community. They are focused on the elections and how to make political points from the Pittsburgh murders. Paradoxically, the are charging the Kushners with having the same motives they themselves have.
(and obviously, the families of the victims are excluded from this view. They should grieve and share their grief with whoever they see fit)
2
@Ronny
Well, I think Ivanka wore too much eye makeup.
Your mild suggestion that his daughter and her husband are "doing what they can to help the president see things from a more empathetic perspective " is more of the underlying falsity that fertilizes this hate.
I could see from the video of Trump at the memorials outside the synagogue that he was quite affected. No one was whispering to him to "look sad". It wasn't a forced, false expression for the cameras. He hadn't even walked into the building to meet people yet.
1
Since day one of this presidency people have said his child and child's husband, who he nepotistically and irresponsibly placed in high office, would be a moderating influence.
Well the 45th has just gotten more and more extreme, bellicose and boorish and they have barely (if ever) said a word. In fact they seem to have been drawn into participating in his extremism and becoming complicit in it – and the worst is they don't seem to be cognizant of what they are party to, or has access to power trumped them.
8
What possessed them to take on the roles they have assumed in the White House? Was duty to the country a lifelong goal of theirs? Perhaps both of them have a deeply felt egalitarian agenda they are hoping to advance? Maybe they were just caught up in the moment and decided to go with it?
Most likely it was the driving force of Daddy and the family business that pulled them in. The Trump family businesses now have a new division, the federal government. They are still trying to figure out the best way to play it. What can they game and what can they not.
Who are Jared and Ivanka? I suspect they are the same people they were two years ago, part of Daddy's business. I think it is a mistake to expect more of them then they can give. When push comes to shove they will side with Daddy over country.
3
"quietly and persistently" doesn't cut it when he is using a public platform to do exactly the opposite: tweet venom, rile up the masses and leave the door open for hate, and he gets no public dissent from them, the White House or Republicans. Perception is all for a crowd following.
One could even say that they are protecting him by shaping him in such a way that his worst excesses are hidden and people don't see him for what he is, if they did his disapproval ratings might be much lower.
2
Shaping Trump’s Pittsburgh Response a.k.a. protecting him from blow-back and fall-out. And that is what they have been doing from the get-go. Enough of this moderating influence stuff - it's all about protecting la familia.
5
The poseurs. They are revolting to behold.
10
I am Jewish and it saddens me to see so many Jewish people working in this administration who are silent to the antisemitism, corruption and destruction of our agencies
Is it greed or power that drives them- they takers and not working for the American people
This is the least charitable administration ever. They don’t know what it means to be a public servant. Shame on all of them.
13
Such a pity one of the other Trump children didn't marry a nice Hispanic woman...
9
Why oh why does the NYT report on this couple as if they have ANYTHING meaningful to do in this administration. They are as fake and phony as anyone. Please, NYT,stop giving them press. They do nothing that isn’t in their self-service and enrichment.
16
Agreed. This reportage is very disturbing. Ignores the fact that Ivanka and Jared are self-serving ciphers. Maggie Haberman carries water for this administration. Why is her spurious reporting given a place of prominence
5
Contradictions don't phase the Useful Idiot. He supports his daughter and son in law as he supports white supremacists and xenophobes.
He plays them all, successfully.
4
Jared is a slum landlord who "advises" Trump to make the worst decisions of his appalling "presidency." Jared insisted he fire Comey, which the racist wizard Steve Bannon said was a terrible idea, as - as this article states - he and Ivanka insisted he visited Pittsburgh when no one wanted them there and in the middle of funerals and people mourning. This is portrayed in the piece as some kind of brilliant statesmanship and a great statement of sympathy for the Jewish people. Huh?
This article's sycophancy is nauseating. It must be here because Jared and Ivanka leak all kinds of stories to the reporters.
9
There is something about the designation "Jewish American" that bothers me. Why was it not sufficient to say Ivanka is Jewish? Something is off here.
4
@Juliana Sadock Savino
Does the same go for African American?
Trump preaches hate intolerance and the dislike of anyone who is not white. he only looks for photo opportunities he's not into Jewish support for the Long Haul. he supports the Jews in Israel because it's more support him when it comes to his anti-muslim base. he could care less that 11 Jews have been murdered he went to Pittsburgh for a photo up. the fact that he had to be talked into it or massage into it by his daughter and son-in-law is enough for me to say he does not care. Is he now off to Kentucky to mourn with the murdered families of the two blacks who were gunned down by a white supremacist. I don't think so they're people of color they are brown or black and he despises people of color. His base will not support him supporting blacks. This president believes in nothing but hate misogyny racism and photo-ops for himself. One more thing he lies like no one I have ever seen why. and the Republicans Empower blindly support those lies they have no interest in bringing this country together.
8
POTUS has been ill advised on all matters involving Jews and Israel. This is a fact, unfortunately.
5
Ivanka certainly gets more scrutiny than other Jewish converts receive.
2
@Jean
As she should. This family of carpetbaggers knows no shame. No grace, no morals, no class. She does not walk the walk of an observant person.
1
He may love the Jews in his family but anti-semites in the US love him. Trump is sending out some sort of vibe - as are scores of other GOP politicians - that makes anti-semites think Trump has their back.
5
If that was the best they could do it did t change much. They have a brother who retweets antisemitic memes. And a father who still names Soros as if he’s the only democrat supporter.
4
These two are simply hangers using tax payers money under false pretences. We've had Kushner running around thinking he could solve the thousand year war in the Middle East until he was sent packing and Ivanka hilariously trying to sell herself as a working Mother to disadvantaged women in trailers telling them they can have it all like her.
Please you two go away.
5
Conservative and former McCain strategist speaks up...
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/10/29/1808327/-Steve-Schmidt-does-not-hold-back-in-tonight-s-Commentary
3
They are both as despicable as trump. Empty, soulless, cruel and the worst, dangerous.
7
Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner are complicit in Trump's hatred. The trip to Pittsburgh was only another photo-op for this shallow and narcissistic couple.
GOP voters are also complicit in the dismantling of our constitution and the principles of democracy. There is no more making excuses for these hateful, ignorant, selfish mob of village idiots.
6
Ivanka is no more Jewish than Billy Graham.
What a fraud!
Like everything in Trumpland this crude show of sympathy exudes vile phonyness.
9
Did Jared & Ivanka advise Pence on the selection of a Jews for Jesus "rabbi" to conduct the memorial service?!
6
Faithful observers of Judaism would do well to distance themselves from these people . . .
5
Deplorables.
4
Does Trump really care? Will he ever sincerely stop stoking hate? Will Jared and Ivanka EVER stand up for what is truly right? Just a reminder of how some of the "very fine people" from that side really feel- from forward.com, August 16,2017:
Vice News usually sends its staff to cover foreign hot-spots, but over the weekend it embedded a reporter on the domestic battleground of Charlottesville, as journalist Elle Reeve followed the every move and statement of white supremacist Christopher Cantwell.
Reeve caught up-close footage of the torch-lit rally on Friday night, when the white supremacists shouted “Jews will not replace us” and then the violent events which occurred the next day. She also interviewed numerous neo-Nazis - including Cantwell, David Duke and a representative from the Daily Stormer Web site.
Cantwell made numerous anti-Semitic statements during the filming, including saying that he wants a leader who is “someone like Donald Trump but who does not give his daughter to a Jew.” He added: “I don’t think you can feel about race like I do and watch that Kushner bastard walk around with that beautiful girl.”
Read more: https://forward.com/fast-forward/380119/watch-white-supremacist-hates-that-trump-gave-his-daughter-to-a-jew/
3
It's a stretch by a million miles to say Trump "adores" the Jews "in his family." Trump tolerates any and all ethnic groups as long as they are useful to him. He has Jews for lawyers, accountants, financial advisers, brokers, employees, business partners. Jared Kushner makes his daughter in some way satisifed, for now, as a husband and father of her children. Outside of that, he has no thought or time for anyone who is not white anglo saxon protestant. He does have thoughts for the poor who are non-white - he thinks they are weak parasites sucking the life out of our society and would like to eliminate them by deportation, prison. Any means that would render them invisible. He wants to eliminate all immigrants so he attempts to make a case that they are all violent diseased criminals to get his followers to join him in his hatred.
5
I think Jared and Ivanka mistake their obligations. Their duty to moderate Mr. Trump and shape his message does not just arise AFTER a tragedy occurs that is connected to his rhetoric. Biblical Judaism counsels that people should judge one another fairly, and with loving-kindness. Jared and Ivanka should be sharing this message with Mr. Trump.
Instead, as advisers and counselors to Mr. Trump, Jared and Ivanka have seemingly stood by while, without evidence, he labels as evil all Democrats,refugee immigrants, the media and minorities. And I'm sure Ivanka and Jared were wise enough to see the thinly disguised anti-Semitism in Mr. Trump's false narrative linking George Soros to "an invasion" of immigrants from the south, but there is no indication that Ivanka or Jared ever stepped in to stop it.
Shaping Mr. Trump's message to a grieving community to be more empathetic after an anti-Semitic attack has killed 11 Jewish parishioners is arguably more beneficial to Mr. Trump than it is to those 11 parishioners. Unfortunately we will never know if Ivanka and Jared had taken steps to temper Mr. Trump's remarks and deeds with kindness and compassion, if that would have helped or even saved the 11 souls who were murdered.
8
So "Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner" influenced a president's words and actions? Who is this "Ivanka Trump," a stranger to America might ask? Is she the ex-wife or daughter of the president, or just an adviser who by chance shares his last name? And why is she paired up with this Mr. Kushner? Are they brothers and sisters by other mothers, engaged to be married, living together, what? There was a time, when a woman who called herself "Hillary Rodham Clinton" stirred the anti-feminist, "family values" outrage of social conservatives in America for retaining her maiden name as part of her public identity when he husband entered politics. Now we have the daughter of a president worshipped by social conservatives who won't even add her husband's name to her maiden name. Her children are named Kushner. Don't they wonder why their mother doesn't have the same last name? And how must her husband, the "spiritual head of the family" feel about a wife who will not take her rightful place in name, if not role? What have feminists done to the American Family indeed!
1
@abigail49 huh?
4
@abigail49 - Just to be clear. You're not objecting to her interference in our government, her wasting of our tax dollars or her using our government as her personal piggy bank, you're objecting to her name?
1
@abigail49 Let's ignore what happened and the entire article and talk about her last name. After all, that is the point of...what?
1
Forgive me for stating the obvious, but Jared and Ivanka trade on their ostensible Orthodoxy more than they deliver.
31
Well, at least he didn’t deploy the Kanye prop for this.
9
These two people are complicit in all of Trump's schemes. It doesn't matter what designer clothes you dress them up in, or what religious symbol you stick on their doorframe. They're just a brand and nothing more.
30
It has nothing to do with adoring Jewish faith children, it has everything to do with the Nationalism he now is claiming, which is factually White Supremacist. He refused to stand down on his trip to The Tree of Life, knowing his remarks and eccentric mannerism may have caused that massacre of human lives.
Even requested by community leaders and the Rabbi not to come, he insisted coming-for himself to be recognized once again. Sincerely, I hope this election teaches this thick headed Godfather the lesson needed. We have had enough in this Country of his "leadership".
12
I can't wait to vote on Tuesday.
21
Trump calls out "globalists" at his hate rallies. He declares "I'm a nationalist." He tweets conspiracy theories about George Soros. These are not the actions of someone who "adores Jewish Americans."
11
Ivanka and Jared Kushner could only have gotten Trump's attention by making it clear that he was going to lose Jewish voters if he didn't stop ignoring and dismissing the tragedy in Pittsburgh.
That he would need his daughter and son-in-law, who happen to be Jewish, to tell him what to do says it all. What if they were not Jewish? Who would have made him understand that, after these horrible murders, business as usual and egotistical cracks about his hair were disgusting?
4
Trump's visit was staged, perfunctory, disingenuous. It's easy to imagine that he found it an inconvenience, siphoning off media attention and disrupting his political campaigning. Jared and Ivanka were merely role players in the purely political act.
The three of them are corrupt. Nothing they do or say is sincere. Everything they do is calculated to benefit them, by whatever means necessary.
20
I understand them wanting to pay their respects, but people do that silently, in private and with deep humility and respect for the wishes of the family and friends of the loved ones who have been killed.
Why couldn't they wait and visit in private? Doing it in full glare of media spotlights and against the wishes of many in this community looks like pure PR spin and gloss for their father, father-in-law (or as others have called it sanitizing Trump). Its unconscionable behavior.
15
we need to remember that the american embassy moved to jerusalem at jared's advice and huge loans ended our honest broker forever in mid east.
we need to remember that the first and last speakers at the ceremony were strident evangelicals whose comments about jews make their appearance untenable.
we need to remember that jared and bibi signed off on these arrangements.
and we need to remember that the glass reflecting shield facing towards palestinian land renders the embassy nearly invisible.
so much for peace, thank you jared.
and oh yes, your good friend Mohammed, killer of journalists, lest we forget, as in if we forget thee jerusalem let my right hand keep banging myself on my forehead.
Pittsburgh Judaism was in the faces and signs of the protests, not with the hypocritical visits of sympathy. Especially a president that has no capacity for such emotion.
10
Anytime I go window shopping and see mannequins in the window, I think of Ivanka and Jared who are extremely fashionable, extremely tall, skinny, expressionless and empty - no intellect, morals, compassion, laughter, ideas, etc. -- looks and money only, is what these two represent.
25
Because the 'ol man asked them and it's good for Jared and his business.
8
Are you sure the Lubavitch congregation they joined worships in a
" temple"? I have never heard of Orthodox referring to their place of worship as anything but a synagogue.
1
@Jean our synagogue is Temple Israel, Very common for Jews to say temple, also shul.
Ha!! Good one, Luciano. So true.
Ivanka and Jared are not heroes or role models. They're grifters. Stop holding them up as people who have a positive effect on Trump. They don't. They're his enablers.
53
At this point, who really cares about what they do. Complicit.
40
This story is a self-serving plant intended to remind trump's base that he condemned the attacks and visited Pittsburgh because he was persuaded by his Jewish family members and NOT because he cares about Americans' freedom to worship and live without fear. If trump (or his children) really meant to reassure any religious or other minorities that he cares about them, this story never would have appeared.
Sometimes the children of parents who utterly lack empathy and moral compass find somehow find it themselves, perhaps through facing and overcoming adversity. The only difference between Ivanka and her father and brothers and between Jared and his father is that they speak in a softer voice. Spare us the crocodile tears. The only moral thing they could do right now is return to private life.
24
Lets clarify one fact here:
Ivanka converted to Judaism, she wasnt born jewish. More importantly her and Jared are acting Jews. Remember they asked their Rabbi for an exception to attend Trump's inaugural ball since it fell on a religious observance. So stop saying Ivanka is Jewish, she converted as convenience for Jared.
18
You do know that King David's grandmother, Ruth, was a convert?
4
@Dave
This is completely false. When someone converts to Judaism, they are Jewish and supposed to be treated as equals to those who where born Jewish. This is Jewish law, end of story.
2
This is just obnoxious.
2
No offense, but we are paying John Kelly to counsel Donald Trump how to behave. Maybe for the sake of this country he should start doing his job - or exit! He has been useless.
Ah, the “good Jews” - Jared and Ivanka - directing the President of the United States where to go and how to behave on behalf of their religion, when the people of Pittsburgh clearly did not want him.
Jared and Ivanka showed up at John McCain’s funeral, too, even though Pops was clearly not invited.
Who do these people think they are?
These should be serene times for the people of Pittsburgh. The day of John McCain’s funeral called for serenity. That the Trumps show up for what, is classless. They’re not invited, they’re not liked, and no one needs their show.
My heart goes out to The Tree of Life, the city of Pittsburgh, the families, friends, church members who will dearly miss their innocent fallen.
There are many out here who are frankly just embarrassed by the Trumps. The Trumps stand for nothing except their stupid show.
28
"Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner Shape Trump’s Pittsburgh Response And Then Leak Their Self Flattering Version To Maggie Haberman Who Dutifully Writes An Article That Reflects Favoraby Upon Them"
There. Fixed it
41
@Luciano
I think that Maggie is being more than a little tongue-in-cheek here.
1
It was sickening to see Ivanka, Jared, Melania, and Donald outside the Tree of Life Synagogue, using the scene to perform PR damage control. This family has has no respect for regular people, whose lives they have torn apart in their quest for power and more money. At the heart of their strategy to take over American government has been fashioning the KKK, white supermacists, neo-nazis, and alt-right into a loyal voting base. That a few Jews got killed as a result means nothing to them.
29
I know non-Jews who, in terms of core values, are more Jewish than these two. Woe to ye who are at ease in Trump Tower.
20
I am an observant Jew. I have no idea what your talking about. The kuchners are Jewish.
1
I cannot be the only reader who's sick of reading about the supposed good intentions of Jared Kushner (who pays no federal income taxes, is involved in crooked real estate deals funded by Middle Eastern governments, and is overseeing a truly stabilizing policy favoring right wing elements in Israel) and Ivanka Trump (enough said).
What does their "influence" amount to? What positives has it produced, other than providing cover for them in New York social circles?
36
I am left with multiple questions:
1) Do the Kushners have an armed guard at their temple? Of course they have Secret Service protection, so they don't need one. But what about all their friends and family at other temples who do not have this perk?
2) Do the Kushners have any real strategy (other than making a few phone calls and urging Mr. Trump to go to Pittsburgh for a photo opportunity) for actually helping heal the gaping wound the president himself has created? Don't they understand the incendiary language he uses is no accident?
3) As far as Mr. Brooks' comment regarding expectations of the Kushners' role being outsized and "simply unfair": this may have been an acceptable observation were they simply family members, but these people are appointed advisers who have been tasked with important matters of state. Since when has it been unfair to expect advisers to do their jobs?
4). Forget the term "Court Jews". Have Jared and Ivanka ever heard the term poster child (children)?
14
Are Jared and Ivanka now props, to be trotted out when needed? I guess he'll use anyone to further his agenda. Sad!
8
Adding insult to injury. Another of Trumps Superpowers.
Seriously.
8
Shaped his response? How do they live in the same house with the man!
3
Interesting. So, at least according to this article, we have Jared and Ivanka to blame for that tone deaf visit to a grieving city whose leaders told the Trumps they were not welcome while they were burying their dead.
And while I would think perhaps it is unfair to blame Jared and Ivanka for the fact that this administration uses their Jewishness as a cover for anti-Semitic dog whistles, the blame once again falls squarely on their shoulders because they decided - without qualification, education, or background - to WORK in the White House, partaking in a form of totally un-American nepotism.
And, as for the notion that Jared and Ivanka might be protecting "Jewish" interests via their roles in this administration, I think a lesson I'm proud to say has been made clear this week is that "Jewish" interests align with the best of "American" values, including things like caring for refugees, acts of charity, taking care of the poor, the sick, the elderly. You know, things like NOT ripping children away from their parents and closing our borders to people seeking asylum. How much have Jared and Ivanka helped on those issues?
I will say one very specific Jewish interest is for our leaders not to traffic in anti-Semitic conspiracy theories that inspire madmen to want to kill Jewish people. Jared and Ivanka, have you done anything to put a stop to that?
10
These two are a couple of dingleberries on tRump's entourage. They are a total farce and everyone seems to know it but them.
12
It's possible to like individual members of a group and be prejudiced against the whole as in "some of my best friends are...."
Similarly, it's possible to like a group but recoil at individual members as in the Not in My Backyard crowd.
Better to be aware of your preconceived notions and try to take people as you find them. -- thegamesmenplay.com
3
Mr. Trump's malevolent posture and single-minded focus on winning makes him temporary blind to anti-Semitism. That is not only in terms of his initial response to the Pittsburgh murders, but also to Charlottesville and innumerable immoral, bullying statements made at his rallies. It provides no comfort that he is pursuaded but his family to be mometarily decent.
5
It has been Mr. Trump's support of white nationalists, as well as his recent identification of himself as a nationalist, and his demonization of asylum seekers walking here from South America in order to rile up the hatred in his base in time for the election that has directly contributed to the Pittsburgh tragedy. The shooter cited his terror that HIAS was bringing those asylum seekers here to gun down Americans as his motivation. This terror is the creation of Mr. Trump. based on lies he's been repeating at his rallies. This makes him directly responsible. He was told to stay away from Pittsburgh until he could denounce white nationalists.
Apparently that's too much to ask with the election less than a week away.
8
The Prince and Princess can clean up the King's messes but they can't prevent them.
5
Trump was asked by the mayor of Pittsburgh not to visit during the funerals but of course, Jared and Ivanka convinced him to go anyway. Sarah Huckabee Sanders once again made a fool of herself saying that Trump adores Jewish Americans. Trump is white nationalist, it's plain to see.
16
It is ironic that Jared and Ivanka seem to be the only people in Trump's sphere who have any moderating influence on him. In this case, the murder of 11 Jews by an anti-Semitic fanatic inspired by the Trumpian claim of a caravan of invaders, Jared and Ivanka's concern for the Jewish community is tempered by the terrible optics of Trump's dog whistles and winks to the bigots among his MAGA-head supporters.
However, Jared and Ivanka are hardly virtuous innocents. Their own business dealings have been deeply questionable and border-line illegal. They may be saving Trump from himself, but they are far from being ethically untainted. That they may be the best of the Trumps speaks volumes about the overall rot that infects the White House under Trump.
212
“The Jewish community has worked hard in modern days to make sure that there are Jewish folks surrounding any administration.”
With such finah menchin (fine people) such as Steven Mnuchin and Stephen Miller helping Trump ruin the USA, who needs enemies?
47
Too bad they don't care enough to, or just can't successfully, 'temper' his hate-filled 'remarks' about and consequent actions toward certain other identity groups. Thank God, and whoever successfully advised him, that he did not turn this tragic funeral service and day into a gaudy spectacle.
4
Unfortunately Trump uses his Jewish family members as cover for his abhorrent statements and comments.
41
Please spare us Ivanka and Jared's faux concern. If they were concerned about the potential for violence, they should have objected to DJT's fomenting of hate at all whom he and his cult consider to be "other". It's only when they see that the monster of hate he's unleashed against other "others" may come home to roost for them and their family that they leap into action to parade their horror. And sorry, but I don't buy the Oscar worthy performance of grief at the graveside. If they cared one whit about those families they wouldn't have advocated for the purveyor of hate in chief to disrupt the focus of the actually grief stricken families on burying their dead to turn the spotlight on himself (and them) and his insistence that HE be the center of attention. They also suggested he fire Comey, and we know how well that worked out. If they'd like to convince the nation that they care about anything other than themselves and the risk that the far right wing hate may be turned on them, they should publicly denounce the hypocrite's speech, and call on him to stop it, now, and to call for his legion of supporters to stop hating. Call on him to call back the troops from the border, sent at great taxpayer expense -- taxes that neither they nor the tax evader in chief contribute to -- sent to turn back the "invading hoards" of desperate mothers with their young children in tow. Call on him to stop demonizing anyone who kneels in protest of social injustice. Do something.
51
Jared and Ivanka are little more than puppets in Trump's play. To suggest that they might have any meaningful impact on Trump's thoughts or actions is not sustained by anything they have accomplished to date. As far as I can tell Jared's middle east peace plan is in tatters and Ivanka shows up for all the photo shoots. That is weak at best.
24
What's the takeaway from this report supposed to be? "At least they're trying"? If they are, it's not working. Why give them credit for being there? Early in the administration this kind of story gave us hope. Now it rings hollow to the extreme.
26
It's hard to believe that a POTUS had to be "coached" on how to respond to a tragedy (doubtful that even W. needed to be).
34
Really??? He "adores Jewish Americans"? Is that why he said there were "good people on both sides" regarding the alt-right neo-Nazi rallies? Would he be saying this if it wasn't mid-term election time?
30
Have observed any evidence that The Donald holds integrity to any ethical, principle, moral or emphatic statement or action in which he is involved. Crashing a funeral or a wedding has no content to him other than an opportunity for press. Jared and Ivanka are mere supporting cast members - regardless of stage location - in Pittsburgh or in a hanger mortuary at Dover Air Force Base.
Will the stage be moved to Kentucky to honor the other two hate crime victims? Two were part of the 13 citizens sacrificed this last weekend.
My condolences to all their communities and families.
26
Sarah Huckabee Sanders: "He adores Jewish Americans as part of his own family. The president is the grandfather of several Jewish grandchildren. His daughter is a Jewish American, and his son-in-law is a descendant of Holocaust survivors.”
I think Mr. Trump could help improve his images amongst American Jews were he to include in a Tweet to his 55 million followers the Sarah Sanders quote above.
It would be interesting to see if there were any backlash from the fascists who form part of his political base.
21
I’m sorry, but I believe Ivanka’s and Jared’s “advice” was crafted to assuage the one or two pangs of conscience they may have about their deafening silence while Donald carries on his rage-filled campaign of hate and fear.
I’m surprised they didn’t bring a banner proclaiming “Mission Accomplished”.
23
As a Jewish person, I am ashamed that Kushner claims to be Jewish. He can call himself one, but his amorality, avarice, and complete lack of a moral compass proves to met that either he doesn't have a clue what it means to follow the moral code of Judaism or that he doesn't care. I'd say the latter, just as his father-in-law doesn't care about anyone or anything other than himself.
70
@steve I absolutely agree.
Kushner is a "Judenrat".
7
How pathetic that a 71-year-old man has to be advised on how to respond to a tragedy. I've run out of adjectives to describe Trump. The only one I have left is irredeemable.
70
Oh spare me the so-called “moderates” that are Jared and Ivanka.
35
“He adores Jewish Americans as part of his own family.”
Sarah Huckabee Sanders
My eyes and ears tell me he adores himself and no one else.
65
@Dave G
“He adores Jewish Americans as part of his own family.” But not beyond.
4
It's obvious Ivanka and her husband have ambitions that extend far beyond her father's presidency. Neither is qualified, by education or experience, to give "advice" to an American president. It makes me uncomfortable, much like when Nancy Reagan followed guidance from an astrologer to counsel her husband on matters of state.
56
Benedict Donald's "compassionate" words were not those of conscience but of convenience, "crafted empathy" written by his "kids" for someone who can't feel real compassion and empathy. A presidential president would have addressed the entire nation and urged understanding, respect and unity. The only unity this would-be tyrant wants is for everything to be about him. Sorry, Benedict Donald, not this time.
15
What image speaks of elites more than this picture of the Prince and Princess descending the staircase?
Trump has been railing against elites in his rallies, then he tells the mass of entrants to his rallies they are the elite, that is both paradoxical given the definition of elite, and it is offensive to them since Trump just bashed elites. But the misuse of language has been so complete, that none of this matters: its not even clear if the paradox and insult is even noticed.
So it is with Ken and Barbie who are the spawn of coastal elites, who look elite, and condescend down the Air force One staircase.
49
As long as the press "is the enemy of the people" Ivanka and Jared are not Jews. As long as Trump is a proud "nationalist" Ivanka and Jared are not Jews. As long as the military is defending the southern border from fleeing hopeful immigrants,
Ivanka and Jared are not Jews. An overwhelming number of Jewish people [but of course not all] believe in embracing
those fleeing tyranny and need asylum. Jewish people learn by example and history to extend a hand of hope to those who flee.
86
@jdoe212
Each human is unique and is
allowed to be Jewish...or not...without following your recipe for how a Jewish person carries out the lessons from examples (s) he has seen.
By expecting a Jewish person...or not a Jewish person...to behave in exact thought-patterned ways, the very concept of diversity is lost; it then becomes the stereo-typical format of what a member of a particular "group" is thought to be...from those within the group and from those outside of the group.
Divisiveness will continue until each "group" thinks about this and understands it.
Diversity can be beauty, until it shuts off others and becomes Division.
1
Sorry I don't think Ivanka and Jared are any kind of inspirational advisory check on the POTUS.
Where was Kushner's statement on Khashoggi? He was nowhere to be found when it involved his "expertise" on relations with MBS.
And where was Ivanka when that sham of an FBI investigation into Kavanaugh's sexual assault allegations occurred, and after when her own father mocked the victim?
They selectively appear when it serves themselves and publicity is easy (as in a photo op), but are out of sight and quiet when they don't want conflict with daddy.
98
@BBHeller Excellent points!
15
I literally felt sick when I saw that Ivanka was seated at the table with dignitaries at the last UN meeting.
55
Trump has outsourced his conscience -- because he does not have one. He looks to his children for appropriate emotional responses. He is not even a leader to his family. Trump knows a lot about fake. He embodies it.
50
I wish you would stop this.
Javanka are nothing but a willing beard for Trump's worst impulses, a cover for his beastly and violent incitements.
Ivanka relished and encouraged her early reputation as our President's better half. It turns out he does not have one, and she knew it all along.
Like Melania's ghastly anti-bullying charade, Ivanka and Jared have a single purpose, to provide cover, and the occasional hope of course correction for a man with a heinous program of divisiveness, prejudice, and hateful action.
Javanka are willing co-conspirators in the destruction of American civil society. Nothing more, nothing less.
If you wish an alternative interpretation of this sickening reality, your only option is that Jared and Ivanka are delusional, singularly hapless sugar babies who, despite a lifetime of intimate exposure to the virus that is Trump, maintain their sugarplums and sunshine belief that daddy is a good, good man and the rest of us, you especially, are barbarians unworthy of consideration.
97
@oogada
Great comment, but I believe Javanka have another purpose: to use the presidency to line their pockets now and for the future.
11
@Michelle TOTALLY!!!
5
Narcissism knows no boundaries. He was ill advised by Jared and Ivanka if, indeed, he was advised to attend. I felt nauseated
and revulsed when learning that he was forcing his presence on the grieving when he was asked to stay away. The man has no respect for anyone. He truly is the epitome of a narcissist.
59
Trump doesn't adore Jewish Americans as his own family, he adores that his daughter created an alliance which would allow him to make the claim.
44
Jared and Ivanka are both very foolish to allow their faith, which they claim is important to them, to be used be Donald as a shield when he needs it. They may be treated with kid gloves as long as Donald is in the Oval Office but the instant he leaves, they'll be exiled literally or figuratively. And they will have done everything to deserve it.
Jared is a dunce if he fails to grasp the connection between conspiracy theories in general and anti semitism specifically. Conspiracy theories, which Donald freely traffics in by the the hundreds, have at their core, an unseen power working to deprive ordinary people of a fair, rightful outcome. Often, it is a small group of powerful, deeply hidden people pulling the strings: the "deep state", the "elites", "financiers." It is not a big leap for the mind that is so inclined to start identifying possible culprits and settling on the Jews. There is academic research that unfortunately supports this.
This is why it is not just random nuttiness, but instead, actually dangerous that Donald is ranting and raving about this. It should not be dismissed.
224
@NJLatelifemom
Not to quibble, but Jared is far worse than a dunce.
He is bringing his sense of entitlement and elite privilege to bear in the Middle East, advocating for more of Bibi's tone-deaf and heartless approach to Israeli politics and the neighbors they despise so openly to such great financial profit.
The man's real estate dealings reflect the same heartless attention to cash and self-righteous refusal to consider others, or even to be honest with them..
When it comes to Javanka, there's nothing there. Move along.
25
Re: Jared Kushner and scandals, just a few.... see: https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/3/1/17053398/jared-kushner-scandals-russia-clearance-loans
This is a particularly rancid one:
https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/5/8/15578060/eb-5-kushner-trump-china (Kushner family hawking, openly, "golden visas" in China to live in the U.S.)
9
How sweet that the President "adores" me and my fellow Jewish Americans. Kind of like how you adore a new puppy or shiny new toy. I didn't know we were "adored" by the President, but what I do know is that am so sick of this President hiding behind his daughter and son-in-law as a cover. But, but, I can't be anti-Semitic! But, but, how can I be encouraging anti-Semitism? My daughter is Jewish! Enough already.
33
Please stop. Just stop. Why does the NY Times feel the need to whitewash the roles these two trust find brats have in the most corrupt administration in recent US history?
They are in their roles for no other reason than nepotism both have used their White House connections to enrich their businesses. Please stop trying to portray these two unqualified and shallow people as anything other well-dressed grifters.
68
Donald Trump and some members of his Cabinet are blatant Nazi sympathizers. And just to head off conservative feigned outrage over that statement, remember that Donald Trump stated in Charlottesville that there were good people on both sides when referring to the neo Nazis and the protestors. Elaine Chao, Transportation Secretary and wife of Mitch McConnell, and Steve Mnuchin, Treasury Secretary and Jewish man, both stood by him when he made that claim. If that is not the definition of “Nazi sympathizer,” I don’t know what is.
27
He may adore American Jews, but he also seems to adore American Anti-Semites.
59
@Robert M. Siegfried only Sheldon Edelson who has bought his way into the GOP inner circel.
2
It clear to all, especially the Neo-Nazis who gleefully support him, that Donald Trump is an anti-Semite hiding behind his fake Jewish relatives.
20
The blood of the eleven murdered Jews is on Trump's hands and on the hands of all who enable him -- including his execrable son-in-law. The shooter at the Pittsburgh synagogue was very clear about his motive: it was the conflation of immigration and Jew hatred. I'm "going in," he wrote just before opening fire, because Jews, in his twisted view, were financing the caravan of Central American refugees who are coming here to kill white people. Trump has been falsely excoriating George Soros as the financier of the caravan. And George Soros, as everybody knows (including, most especially, American neo-Nazis), is Jewish: a stand-in for the latest version of the age-old psychosis that Jews are secret string-pullers seeking world domination. It's Trump's evil peddling of this myth -- of Soros as a "globalist" string puller -- that directly caused this massacre.
31
The role of the Kushners as presidential counselors has been grossly overstated in this article. By accompanying the president to Pittsburgh on Tuesday, the Kushners functioned as subterfuge to distract from the elder Trump’s inability to be sensitive and empathetic to the needs and wishes of the Pittsburgh community and the nation as a whole. Had Jared and Ivanka truly been trying to tamp down the elder Trump’s longstanding vocal support of and advocacy for white nationalism, they would have counseled him a year ago, after Charlottesville, and on every day since. That obviously has not been happening.
The president’s decision to visit Pittsburgh was in some ways no more than a misguided replay of the synagogue shooter’s rationale shortly before he entered the synagogue on Saturday. What was it he posted on social media? “Screw the optics. I’m going in.”
The writers of this article might have been more accurate had they referred to Jared and Ivanka as “props.”
23
@Resist
I think you missed Kushner's role in having the American Embassy moved to Jerusalem and the fact that HE - of all the people in the world - is in charge of any negotiations
having to do with Israel. He is also the chief enabler of bin Salman.
7
Until Mr. Trump explicitly disavows his shocking/frightening statement about “...very fine people....” we will continue to view him as a white nationalist sympathizer and proto-fascist.
12
Pure hypocrisy.
14
Yeah, their moderating influence lasted all of, what? Twelve hours? Then The Sociopath began spewing again.
A time comes when children have to reject toxic parents, making a break with them.
I'll respect the Trumplings when they tell the crazy man to stuff a sock in it and do so in public. Until then, they are in it for the money, like like the trophy wife.
12
Please sign Bend the Arc's Petition asking for President Trump (and family) to denounce publicly White Nationals and stop attacking immigrants. In a few days there are now 87,000 signatures. Not that it stopped him from visiting Pittsburgh because it didn't. But at least it is something we can do to denounce this widely unpopular, racist President on everything he says and does:
https://www.bendthearc.us/pittsburgh_demands
4
"He adores Jewish voters"? What a moronic, and ironically bigoted, thing to say. He adores all Jewish voters? Even the ones who think he's a rapist and a traitor? If he adores one entire class of voters, he must despise another.
What a putz.
23
Do not be fooled, folks. Only believe what Donald says the first time. Subsequent tweets, press releases and interviews are just spin.
His remarks about armed guards, globalists, nationalist, etc are the real Donald Trump: Anti-semite, white supremacist.
Ivanka and Jared may tell him what to say the next time but what he says the first time is what he really believes. The only Jews that the Donald has any use for are the Sheldon Adelsons of the world that donate big bucks to his campaign.
17
Sorry, but the ”armed guard” comment wasn’t “vague” it was idiotic.
16
And let's not forget how trump and the Repubs speak about the Jews that are funding that caravan of fear and doom.
9
What is missed is the fact the President required intervention to understand the appropriate response to this, or in fact any other tragedy. That the Kushners are the only persons that can penetrate his natural inclinations towards polarization and authoritarianism show how he is truly unfit to lead this nation, which is in sore need of healing.
The fact that VP Pence appeared with a Messianic Jewish Rabbi shows that this is present in many levels.
15
My thoughts and prayers are with the Jewish community. What a terrible event in both Jewish and American history. Unfortunately for Americans, this, as literally everything, becomes fodder for the party cannons, and the Jewish community in their moment of grief are simply forgotten as focus quickly reshifts to the ongoing political brawl that we somehow still have an appetite for. Shame on us.
5
Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, who enable Trump's cruellest actions, did not stop him from inciting and cheering violence before Pittsburgh, or from continuing to whip up hatred since. Trump's pandering to the Israeli far right does not ingratiate him to American Jews or lessen his culpability for stoking anti-Semitism with his "nationalist" and "globalist" signalling, in which Ivanka and Jared are fully complicit.
13
Ivanka and Jared were simply the "cover" for Trump's inability to understand basic human kindness and empathy.
These two have not been able to change or even shift Trump's vitriol and inhumane acts. In fact these two have actually supported Trump's self-serving and greedy actions. Jared has benefited greatly by this free government job handed to him (to the tune of a $1 billion bailout for his failed Manhattan property). His support of the culpable Mohammad bin Salman (Saudi prince extraordinaire!) is sickening. Neither Jared nor Ivanka have any business skills, and they have no emotions that would have helped in this situation.
Trump is a psychological disaster. He is unable to temper his emotions (still, 3 AM tweets), he shows no empathy, he spews violent lies, he uses fear to divide the country, he courts dictators and bullies, he is abusive and bullies others, he is corrupt, he ignores laws, many times he was found guilty of financial crimes, he shows no remorse after he's found wrong/guilty (and instead "doubles down" or "triples down" just as bullies do), he threatens innocent people (journalists), he amplifies conspiracy theories, ... I could keep going...
Trump has been destroying our nation, installing deep corruption throughout the government. The full extent and evidences will be found much later.
What a disastrous trajectory our nation is on!!
How do we extricate ourselves from this cancerous vile family?
16
Trump is using the "Jewishness" of Kushner and his daughter (whom I'm sure he still considers "European" and not "Jewish" because it was only a "conversion," she wasn't BORN a Jew) for his own political agenda, or at least Stephen Miller is doing so. They should have stayed OUT of Pittsburgh. As far as I'm concerned, Kushner and Ivanka Trump are no more Jewish than I, a Roman Catholic, am.
11
Sounds like Mr Kushner’s response was for Trump face-saving not helping the city of Pittsburgh. He had to call “allies” of Trump to shore up Trump’s ego??
“ Trump is frustrated” by the American response to his behavior- that when he stokes hate at these rallies and uses his time in our WH tweeting garbage that people are actually holding him accountable for what he sets in motion. No matter how much he loves his own family.
That you have to tell a grown man this is bizarre and pathetic.
10
Just because they're Jewish and his parents are Holocaust survivors doesn't make them better people.
9
Look no further than Stephen Miller
11
@Richard Friedman
Or victims. Just trying to profit from real victims by crashing their funerals and grief. I fear that Jared, Ivanka, Mnuchin and Miller just want to fold Jews into Trump's white suprematist state.
Human beings with a shred of empathy don’t need to consult their familial PR and branding team when a bunch of innocent people are gunned down in a house of worship.
But to quote his son in law, Donald Trump is a black swan. He’s a super evil villain genius guy that none of us can comprehend. Thanks, Jared!
DJTs disgusting appearances at “prayer breakfasts” and things like CPAC tell you everything you need to know about Christian values: total and complete immoral and unethical sell out. Evangelicals, I saw Indiana Jones. You might think you are gazing into the ark of the covenant but you aren’t. It does not end well for you. Jesus is mad.
5
I am very saddened by all the madness that has grossly increased since Trump became president. And now the murders at the Jewish synagogue by a white supremacist.
The letter that was written to Trump, telling him he is not wanted there was very powerful. The rest of us need to follow that lead, without it being a reaction to violence.
Trump represents and demonstrates acts of violence. What do you think will happen with the troops at the border? Will someone be hurt or killed?
The fact that he has family that is Jewish has nothing to do with who he is or who they are for that matter. It was ignorant to send the Kushners there. Despicable. Throw 'em a bone mentality.
9
The minority president has never pretended to be anything other than the leader of his supporters, whose ignorance and hatred fueled his rise. His lack of conscience and morality has been on display his entire life and nothing will change that. The trumps are a grifter family and Ivana and Jared are chief grifters, second only to the sociopath himself.
8
With this sort of adoration, who needs enemies?
6
Ken and Barbie on their next adventure. This is not disrespectful, they are a true analogue to the play toys, and Trump is playing with them.
13
Trump could simply end the rabble rousing fear and loathing theme in his rallies and his comments. That would show a sincere effort not to demagogue this country into infuriated divisions.
5
Clips of his appearance will be used to show he did the right thing, even though he did the wrong thing - as he was asked not to come when he did, but to wait. But he did what he wanted. My guess is Ivanka and Jared were thinking along the lines of campaign ad and further along the lines to 2020, which at first surprised me, but I guess should not have. They are both as ruthless as Trump - and convince themselves otherwise, as he does. Jews should not be fighting over this - he went, he's gone. The focus has to be on getting Trump - and his descendants - out of the oval office.
10
It may be appropriate for the average dude to say that there should be armed guards and leave it at that.
The job of a President is to immediately recognize an act of hate for what it is, and construct a response that asks himself and all of us to look deeply into our souls, to think about the societal conditions that foster bigotry, to offer words that can help us unite and heal.
We will never get anything remotely like that from this unreflective buffoon.
11
A republican friend told me after the 2016 election, not to worry, that Trump’s family will keep him from going off the deep end. I guess this situation is what he was talking about.
But what does it say about a president who needs to be given a script to console the families of mass shooting victims? Trump’s supporters are not in denial. They know the president is a loose canon. But they wanted that SCOTUS pick; so they look the other way.
5
Can never see them without thinking of Jeff and Fallon Carrington, characters in the 80s soap "Dynasty." They themselves and her father's supporters seem to regard them in the same way. Thanks to Obama's leaving behind a flourishing economy, a large segment of the American people can click off their brains and lose themselves in this soap opera.
6
Thank you for this story. It is important for Americans to understand that while Donald Trump is quite likely a genuine narcissist -- and as such in incapable of concerning himself with the reaction his comments and behaviour will have on others -- he is most certainly not anti-Semitic. Unlike many of his supporters, he simply does not care enough to feel such sentiment.
After watching Mr. Trump closely for the last two years, I have come to the conclusion that he has equal disregard for everyone, irrespective of color, race or religion. Like most narcissists, he views people as non-human objects. With the possible exception of his children and grandchildren, we all are here for his amusement or manipulation.
Mr. Trump holds nothing dear, he has no moral compass, he cares little about right and wrong.
For Mr. Trump, its all about expediency, about closing the deal, about getting his way, about coming out on top, about being the center of attention. How does Kanye West's appearance in the Oval office help Mr. Trump's re-election chances? How does his appearance in Pittsburgh work to his and his party's advantage with mid-term elections 1 week away?
These are his calculations. The human element is, I reckon, missing. This is the hallmark of a personality disorder.
In other words, Mr. Trump simply does not care enough about Jews, Blacks, Hispanics to feel one way or the other about them. I'm certain he loves the Jewish members of his family, though.
13
Reading the comments I note how so many writers assume that the Kushners are duplicitous and have no good traits.
I disagree.
Nothing is black and white.
I find it very revealing that partisans on both sides of the American divide choose to demonize the other side, seeing them as all bad with no redeeming characteristics.
Ivanka and Jared are human beings in a very difficult situation and their behavior and thoughts are not publicly shared most times. They keep to themselves as much as possible.
And they do not share many of the beliefs and certainly not the behavior of Trump. Probably readers don't want to hear anything positive about them but it is not hard to find.
One example: they have been instrumental in keeping Trump from attacking gays and lesbians as his Evangelical Christian supporters including Pence want him to do. They were not successful in stopping his actions against transexuals.
They quietly fight their battles with Trump and he knows that they are often critical of his stances.
You may not wish to acknowledge this but it is nonetheless true.
It is never entirely black and white.
20
@simon sez How do you know what Jared and Ivanka do behind closed doors? One of the general problems is this nepotism. They are in power without accountability and have public track records that indicate that they are capable of self-serving actions. That said, their intransparency means that one can’t ascribe attitudes, positions, or actions to them. And, they certainly share Trump’s attitudes on many things based on their public records, including their self-serving and self-dealing habits.
63
@simon sez Where is the proof for any of your claims? All the NYT articles on the supposed influence of Jared and Ivanka have been based on unnamed "White House officials." If no one is willing to go on the record in support of the supposed important work being done by Jared and Ivanka, why should Americas see them as anything but nepotistic hires?
39
@simon sez - Give me a break. They are just as bad as Trump is and will probably grow worse given the chance.
35
“I’ve never accepted the notion that just because Donald Trump has Jewish family members that it makes him any more sympathetic to Jewish interests,” Mr. Klein said.
Exactly! In Nazi Germany there were Nazis, some quite high ranking, who knew Jews personally. It didn't change the course of the slaughter one iota. We have clergy in America who have said that "God does not hear the prayers of a Jew". We have a president who is a patriot of the rich if they are Christian or Jewish. But he has vilified Muslims and he has praised violence.
In my opinion this action of his, no matter how sincere, is window dressing. It will not stop the violence or even curb it. Trump is not committed to changing things in America for the better unless it benefits him, his family, and his rich cronies. The rest of us, supporters or not, don't matter.
13
@hen3ry
Yes. Trump has vilified Muslims and this cannot be good for any religious minority. And protecting vulnerable people, least of all a minority, is not really at the top of his agenda in case anyone hasn't gotten that by now....
3
Ivana and Jared are as Jewish as their father is a Christian-on paper.
74
Wrong.
By all means abhor your elected President, and criticize his son-in-law and daughter for their politics and public actions.
But their religious identity and beliefs are surely off bounds.
Jared Kushner’s status as a Jew is beyond legitimate questioning, as is Ivanka Trump Kushner’s conversion to full Jewish status And her marriage to a Jewish man according to Jewish law.
(Unless the awful phenomenon of birtherism is now becoming political sport in the United States.)
2
@
AO
No, they are not off the table. Trump and his despicable enablers uses the Kushners' Jewishness to excuse his vile actions. Trump and the Right Wing's vicious lie that Soros is behind this caravan in Mexico directly led to the tragedy in Pittsburgh. I do not recall either Kushner speaking out against that lie or the implication that a rich Jew was behind something so nefarious.
If the Trump princess and her feckless consort are willing to lend their Jewishness to protect the liar who is currently president, then they legitimately open themselves to this line of attack. We are fighting for our country down here. The gloves have come off.
4
They're in their early middle-age, late-youth. Donald is old. Like Melania, they're all doing their best Anna Nicole Smith through this, hoping there are scraps at the end. The Kushners are better off than the rest of the Trump brood. But, when the committees are formed and the summons to appear are issued, nobody in Trump's orbit will be spared the legal fees.
This is called damage control, I believe.
What's Rudy saying about this, in his cigar club, somewhere in 666, fifth avenue? If there were only a fly on the wall.
It's a time for peace. It's a time to recognize we are all brothers and sisters, no matter our economic status, our health, our beliefs.
The best things the Kushners could do would be to leave the ship, after the mid-terms. Dedicate themselves to housing the poor.
Community service should be more than saving their own behinds.
Incite peace, wherever you go. How about that?
31
Wonderful idea. It will never happen. They are spawn from two greedy clans.
11
Barbie and Ken are worse than Donald. How they have stood by silently while he stokes the flames of Nationalism which we ALL know the meaning of and says Neo-Nazis are also good people (the other side has good people too nonsense). They are no different than others who sold out their people so long ago. Shame on them.
93
@socal60 Agreed- all Ken and Barbie do is look at how their net worth has increased, and how they don't pay any income taxes at all.
4
Did you have to do one of your he said/she said articles on this, of all subjects? Did you have to do it? Donald Trump and his rhetoric and his campaign strategy and the very tenor of his administration are responsible for the antisemitic murders in Pittsburgh. Kushner and Trump's daughter are actively engaged in supporting and promoting Trump and his agenda. It doesn't matter that they are Jewish. They also bear responsibility for what happened and their involvement and continued support is an abomination. There is no whitewashing, which is what, I am sure, they are hoping a "balanced" article in The New York Times will do. Shame on you.
64
Disgusting how this man uses anything to profit. I would like to request to the media/press to stop covering this man. Anyway he keeps bullying the press.media as his enemies. Why do they cater to his ego, sick and tired. No they are not doing us a favor they are making us worst and sick. Please request to the NYT and many other outlets to give us a present one day without mentioning the president in the news.
29
Dilettantes advising the mad would-be king. Interesting.
40
I think it's a sad statement on this country if the President of the United States doesn't understand on his own what should be the most appropriate response in such a tragedy.
30
The advice he should have listened to was that given by the Mayor of Pittsburgh.
8
This is an opportunity for Ivanka to display her "mourning chic." Nothing more.
Trump, his wife, his children--not one authentic bone in their bodies. Pod people.
129
As I have read, someone else noted that arguing that Trump's Jewish family members are a demonstration that he is not anti-Semitic is roughly akin to arguing that he is can't be misogynistic because he has a wife (wives) and daughter, or that he can't be nativist and anti-immigrant because his wife (wives) and in-laws are immigrants. Doesn't work that way.
124
@Professor, bravo so well put
8
@Rudolf Hanke
And don't forget, some of his best friends are Jews.
1
I saw where Kayne West is claiming he feels used by Donald Trump, well in the same way I feel that Ivanka and Jared Kushner, and all Jewish members of his administration are being used for cover in Donald Trump's clamoring for White Supremacists support in his base; and in some ways complicit in allowing him to straddle the fence on his continuous race baiting and divisive political strategy in dividing this country.
How can anyone not be shocked given that Donald Trump a 72 year old man in this modern era, after all the historians and all of the witnesses have told the story of the Holocaust, and given his Jewish family members that he has to have his response shaped, or in case explained on what he needs to do.
What kind of man who has family members whose were holocaust survivors, would be so insensitive or even make an attempt to court, include or pander to the types of core base of Racist, Bigots and Anti-Semites to gain their votes and support?
I shake my head and say Donald Trump has to be the most uneducated, thoughtless and clueless man to ever sit in the Oval Office; or the only other conclusion is he is the most openly White Supremacist and anti-Semitic person to ever be elected President.
41
WHO CARES how Barbie and Ken "shaped Trump's respond"?
I mean, really?
Trump created the climate where violence was in the air; right-wing zealots have shot people in a church, a synagogue, and a school, AND sent bombs to a former president, a candidate who ran against Trump for president, a former Attorney General and Head of National Security.
Trump incites violence and then obscenely suggests that more guns in the school, church, and synagogue are somehow the "answer" to the problem.
The idea that the easy availability assault weapons meant for mass murder is NOT somehow part of the problem is obscene! And an insult to the families and communities who suffered.
Trump has blood on his hands and is essentially spitting on the graves of the dead with his phony attempts to exploit these tragedies. Obscene!
40
Words used to incite this atrocity came from Trump...and he continues to use them. He is unfit for office. Shame on the GOP. Ivanka and Jared can’t miss this glaring reality—they are gilded accessories to the torment Donald has manifested.
24
I see you opposition liberal fourth estsaters are still harping on the umbrage you have taken at Trump's suggestion that people can defend themselves when a disgruntled anti-Semite attacks.
In 2008 Jim David Adkisson attacked a Unitarian church in Tennessee during the performance of a children's musical. He said he hated liberals and wanted to kill as many as possible. He killed two and wounded six but was stopped by members of the congregation who fought back, tackled and subdued him.
It has become a preordained reflex of the targets of a man with a gun to assume the role of helpless victim, the shooter being invincible like Godzilla. After that incident Unitarians quietly designated people in their congregations to be armed. No one knew who it was. At least, that's what they did in my community. Once upon a time, in America's early history, it was customary for men to bring their guns to church. It was mandated. The circumstances at the time required such measures.
When are you, the monolithic liberal media machine, going to stop spreading and inciting hate?
@Aristotle Gluteus Maximus
So it's the journalists accurately reporting the words of the madman braying hate who are to blame?
How will you spin it when "killing the messenger" is made literal? Bone saws are fine as long as the wielders are filling your hotel rooms.
8
@Nancy Lendved
The words "accurately reporting" are the Achilles heel to your argument.
1
@Aristotle Gluteus Maximus - We all heard what Trump said.
2
They must truly live in an alternate reality. I'm really sick of them, please just go away. Seriously.
21
Trump may "adore" jews - but he also must "adore" immigrants since he married two of them.
Neither of those things absolve him of anti-semitism or xenophobia.
42
Question:
Did Trump wear a kippah at any time during his visit? I didn't see one - maybe he didn't want to muss up the orange hair or maybe Jared didn't clue him in?
What an insult to the Jewish community!
8
It just floors me that DJT still needs to be coached on how to process and understand grief. The man has NO empathy whatsoever. AND, Jared and Ivanka are all in for the tragedy but basically silent during Charlottesville. It's so sick because it's all about power, greed and image. They care about no one except themselves. Sickening!
18
This could really not be more repulsive!!! Ivanka and Jared may not be mentally ill as is Dad, but they are complicit in his destructive behavior.
12
Let's face it. The Kushners, the Addelsons, and other Jews who seek to defend Trump are what are called "shondas for the Goyim," i.e., embarrassment to other Jews.
I like to see how the crazies at Fox News spin things and noted that on this issue, it said Jews should support Trump as he moved the embassy to Jerusalem as if Israel was the only issue that Jews cared about and shouldn't pay attention to the actual moral beliefs that have sustained Judaism for thousand of years despite repeated attempts to wipe it out.
14
Hey, "where is my black?" Hey, there's my Jew. I have Jewish grandchildren -- that means I'm not anti-Semitic. Some of my best friends are Jews ---including some of my biggest donors.
This is Trump. This is the guy who wanted "guys wearing yarmulkes" counting his money in AC -- an ignorant, stereotypical comment.
Trump is evil and vile. His son and law and daughter are religious frauds. If they "talked him into" going to Pittsburgh during the funerals and mourning -- then they are as ignorant and crass and without empathy as he is.
32
Maggie Haberman - can you just please stop with your both-sides-and-trump-is-really-not-so-bad-because-Jared drivel? Trump has proven his true colors over and over again. No amount of lipstick is gonna make this guy seemingly more ‘attractive’, it just makes you look ridiculous.
26
For those of us who grew up in the NY/NJ area, Anti-Semitism is an obscure topic. It never registered on my radar screen and I doubt its on Trumps. Jews inspire respect and admiration among non-Jewish people which is a the antithesis of “tolerance”.
1
Trump is not responsible for the shooting but he is responsible for the nation's tone. His current campaign based on vilifying Hispanics legitimizes the haters. This time the hate spilled over on Jews.
Having Jews in his family may improve Trumps optics, but his actions and words are more important.
18
The day Jared Kushner appears wearing a yarmulke in public is the day I'll accept him as a faithful Jew. Until then, to me he's a JINO - Jew in Name Only.
9
“There are very fine people on both sides.”
- Donald J. Trump, speaking about anti-racism protesters and NEO-NAZIS in 2017
13
I'm sure Jared and Ivanka's PR team is delighted with this story placement.
6
Right. And some of his best friends are...
"'The Jewish community has worked hard in modern days to make sure that there are Jewish folks surrounding any administration,' Mr. Brooks said..."
Say what? What Jewish community is he talking about? He doesn't speak for me, or for anyone in my family, or anyone I happen to know. What a stupid thing to say, and a statement that plays into the hands of conspiracy theorists. Thanks a lot, idiot.
12
These kids should go home.
9
The NYT's continued sycophantic justifications for the privileged positions that Ivanka and Jared hold within this adminstration with zero experience or credentials is annoying in and of itself, but for the NYT to suggest that Jarvanka are somehow important because they instruct the president as to how to act like a normal human being is beyond insulting to the millions of Americans who possess enough empathy and decency to know how to respond to a tragedy like this one without needing tutoring or guidance. That we have a president who lacks these basic skills is bad enough without having his children thrown in our faces like consolation prizes.
10
“The Jewish community has worked hard in modern days to make sure that there are Jewish folks surrounding any administration.” The right wing conspiracists are going to have a field day with that one. Thanks a lot Matthew Brooks, the executive director of the "Republican Jewish Coalition," whatever that is.
4
Jared Kushner, despite all his claimed religiosity, stays and stays with this father-in-law, the provocateur of the deliverer of death to all these lovely people just being decent neighbors and friends in their synagogue. Charlottesville should have been enough. The title kapo comes to mind.
10
The term "court Jew" is frequently misused in an anachronistic way, as a slur. This is merely bad history. What's wrong with a minority having a representative at court? That such attempts did at times come to a bad end ought not to cast ignominy on the attempt to have representation.
1
Ladies, you are being used by the trump machine. Shame on you.
7
How did they feel about the Jews for Jesus "rabbi speaking at the Pence rally?
8
What is a “Jewish American” - the term Sarah Sanders used to describe Ivanka? The use of that term is just indicative of her, and the Administration’s, ignorance of Judaism. I don’t recall ever hearing her, or her boss, ever use the term “Christian-American.” I suppose in her mind, and his, they are one and the same, namely being a true American means you must be a Christian. This is just another example of the ignorance in the White House.
28
@David Mintzes
To add to you point about Sanders' use of the term "Jewish-American" is her statement that Trump "adores" Jews, as of course Trump "adores" evangelicals who go to rallys for Pence with the rabbi who spoke at this "Jews for Jesus" event. It's all show and air and nothing of substance, empathy, authenticity with the current administration. VOTE your hearts out, people.
4
What is the point of this article? Because from here it looks like it was written solely for the purpose of maintaining Haberman’s access to the Trump inner circle.
Instead of this sycophantic revisionism, let’s look at the president’s actions in the wake of the anti-Semitic massacre in Pittsburgh:
- he held a rally that very day, in which he joked about his “bad hair day.”
- he continues his racist and inflammatory rhetoric about the migrant caravan in Mexico (will this end in bloodshed at the border? Given the president’s rhetoric, and the violent nature of some of his base, this is a distinct possibility).
- his VP, a Christian fundamentalist, summoned a “Jew for Jesus” to open a campaign event in the wake of the massacre.
- he continued his inflammatory attacks on the press (how long till another newsroom gets shot up? How long until another media organization gets sent another bomb?)
- and of course he directed his press secretary to hold a contentious press briefing, where she whined about who the real victim in all of this is: Donald Trump.
This article is the worst of access journalism, and proof that this paper is still not grasping the gravity of the moment.
23
Jared and Ivanka appear to be a shallow as Donald.
ALL of these persons recognize the code words used to inject racism into their desire to "win", and "win" is another code word for "self-enrichment".
Because the NYT has not listed these basic racist code words, let us be clear about them. Anti-Muslim code "Middle easterners". Anti-Black code "monkey" from the older term "porch monkey" Anti-Semetic code "global businessmen" "global financiers" "Soros" from the ancient trope that Jews control global banking and "fake news" "the media" from an older trope begun in the early 1900s and promoted by Henry Ford Sr who printed and gave away copies of The Elders of Zion, claiming that Jews control the media.
Whether or not Donald Trump is a racist or not we will not know, but he is the POTUS and as such must behave as such. That Jared & Ivanka, both members of his WH team and both representing our country in official capacities, fail and refuse to severe ties from Donald brings shame to themselves and our country.
Words matter and unlike a shove or slap, injuries that heal quickly, words leave scars.
6
Just the young members of the Trump and Kushner Crime Families. They do nothing except use the WH to enrich themselves. Surely, Judaism forbids practically everything that this criminal couple does professionally.
13
Isn't it nice that Trump has all these " connections" to Jewish folks and organizations, yet at the end of the day, still coddles the white nationalist crowds.
9
Jared and Ivanka Kushner can maintain their poise, quiet smiles, grave looks, gentle voices at all times because they "know" that their wealth and connections will save them from any anti-Semitic attack that would threaten the hoi polloi. Many Jews in 1920s Germany thought the same. They were - tragically, inhumanly, deliberately - proved wrong. I do not know what it will take for the Kushners to realize that President Trump cannot protect them from the anti-Semitic hate spewed out, for example, on Steve Bannon's Breitbart, some of whose commenters have been calling for their deaths for months. I honestly hope they never have to face it. But it's there, and it's real.
19
I don't think even Trump supporters are thrilled by the creepy Kushner and his wife, who are only where they are now due to crass nepotism. I don't see their 'faith' preventing this couple from self-dealing, lying and stealing.
21
DC's most despised couple gave him terrible advice. It was cruel to intrude while families bury their dead. This was compounded by the fact that he was not wanted by the City.
18
They may have shaped Trump's responses for the moment but in the long run he will go back to his old self and he will blame the Democrats, not having armed guards and of course the media.
He would never look at himself, or the way he talks about things as being the problem. His ego forbids him from accepting blame.
7
Regardless of Javanka's prompting, the reality is Trump went to Pittsburgh because he thought it would make him look good. Had he truly sympathized with Pittsburgh, he would have stayed away. Of course, that would have required empathy and insight into his own behavior, neither of which he has ever exhibited.
My stomache churned when I saw him and Melania place flowers and stones on the replica headstones of those who lost their lives. Such a desecration.
26
I don't recall seeing a single article in the Times about Presidents Bush and Obama needing advice on responding to a national tragedy. Not one.
You either have it in you to say and do the right thing or you don't.
The only thing Trump knows instinctively is to have hate-filled rallies the very same day he makes a lame attempt at being remorseful. And on that same day he decides he alone can amend the constitution while ordering the military to defend the Southern border against desperate people seeking asylum from the tyranny of their own country.
This is who 63 million Americans voted for. And, even sadder now that the country has been ripped apart, the vast majority would do so again.
27
All you have to do to know what's really going on is read this morning's triumphant and simultaneously poisonous Trump tweet about his Pittsburgh visit: it's ALL about him. As for picture-perfect Ivanka and Jared, well, their somber look, hand-in-hand, at the door of AF1 has all the authenticity of a picture of their sorrowful old man. What a thoroughly unappetizing, insincere, cynical family, from Donald on down.
23
Being an anti-Semite and having close relationships with Jewish people is not a contradiction. Karl Lueger, the mayor of Vienna during the late 1890s and early 1900s, was a virulent anti-Semitism yet had many Jewish friends and confidants. When asked about this, he famously declared, "I decide who is a Jew."
Regardless of what Trump himself believes, his actions are what matters. He has cozied up to and hired anti-Semites such as Steve Bannon. He has said there were "good people" on both sides in Charlottesville, even though one side was white nationalists who shouted, "Jews will not replace us."
I don't really care that Jared and Ivanka are Jewish. If anti-Semitism keeps rising as it is right now, that will hardly matter decades from now. Trump's Jewish daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren will be mere footnotes.
20
So far the Kushners' advice has been wide of the mark.
''Fire Comey'' didn't work out so well.
"Go down to Pittsburgh" was also a walloping success.
What's next?
7
He "adores" no one but himself.
He uses people, this time his family, when he thinks it serves his goal.
If this is not perfectly clear to everyone by now, it never will be.
We'll know a week from now.
12
Innocent. The victims were innocent. How hard is that to comprehend. What had they done to deserve this fate? Offered help to those who most needed that? For shame. The saddest thing about the Trump rhetoric and the response from his "base" is that the base seems clueless as to where their anger comes from, or how to channel that, so they lash out inappropriately. As in other dictatorial situations, his base and the assassins that it harbors will find out too late who their real enemy was.
5
Last night I Attended a multi- religious, multicultural unity gathering in response to the Pittsburgh massacre. In a Jewish temple, in from the pouring rain,500 persons plus leaders of all faiths raised their voices in solidarity. This is the real America as we want it to be, not just there but every day.
20
@S Mitchell
That is so nice to hear. But with DJT's leadership, we cannot rely on the President and his administration helping us keep that America alive and flourishing.
We have to do it ourselves.
2
This tragedy has broken my heart. My thoughts are with the families of the victims. I wish Trump’s association with Jared Kushner was enough to assure me of his supprt for the safety of the American Jewish community. However, Trump’s wife is an immigrant (who illegally worked as a model outside of the bounds of her visa) and his treatment of immigrants has been most vile.
4
What a joke - roll out Ivanka and Jared as props so that people think Trump cares or is sympathetic to this tragedy?
His true feelings are revealed when he is sending out his hateful messages at rallies, on twitter, or when giving interviews to the "journalists" at Fox.
Like the meeting at the White House after the school shooting at Parkland, in which Trump was photographed holding a card stating what he should state to the students ("I hear you," "What would you most want me to know about your experience?"), this article further confirms that this is a man with no empathy, no true concern for people outside his circle, no compassion.
222
@William
He tells Kelly "Get the West Wing Jews together for a trip to Pittsburgh right now." So they come up with 2.5. Kushner, Mnuchin, Ivanka. That's all there are.
2
@William I think that's what's known as a socio-path but no matter Drumpf gets special treatment and stays in office. Campaign for 2020 starts any day now. Drumpf will set a new low for ugly, fascist behavior by a U.S. politician, the very people he said he despised when he ran for the nomination. Worse yet he may be re-elected. He stumbled on the path to victory - take the lowest road possible spreading hate and racism and win the electoral college majority, skip the silly popular vote game. Watch and see.
I remember Kushner's and Ivanka's outrage last year during the Neo-Nazis march in Charlottesville, when the Nazis chanted "Jews will not replace us."
I remember their outrage when Heather Heyer was murdered while peacefully protesting against those Nazis.
I remember their outrage when Trump responded to these terrible act and said there were fine people on both sides.
Oh, that's right, I don't remember it because Kushner and Ivanka didn't do anything.
This is a pitiful PR spin piece about two entitled people who have no business being in Washington, except for the business of enriching themselves.
230
@V
I wish I could recommend this more than once
3
@V
And maybe Maggie Habberman can reflect on some of the pieces she did on HRC during the 2016 campaign. No puff pieces there, that's for sure. If only she was as half as critical of Javanka as she was of Mrs. Clinton. The Times will probably not print my little missive because of my bluntness, but here goes. Start calling a spade a spade, a liar a liar, and two self-promoting neophytes the frauds that they are. Stop the PR spin this story entails while the country careens down an increasingly dangerous slope. Please?
4
This is no change by Trump, but just another feign that day for Trump, who directly or indirectly caused the incentive for these deaths.
If Trump really wanted to do something, he would have started in Charlottesville.
Trump will just dither along and attend the remainder of his campaign stops, throwing raw meat epithets to the crowds in the red states.
Trump will never be President of all of the people! He lacks the capacity to do so.
17
Frankly, these two give me the creeps almost worse than Trump does. I dislike the veneer of respectability, religious commitment, and--most of all--liberal views that do very little to mask the greed and complete lack of any ethics that appear when you so much as lift a tiny corner of the rock. Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner are simply not good people, and I don't buy even one detail of their cover.
There's a reason there are only two comments here--what the heck is there to say? They are slick and have been packaged with skill for the American public. I shudder when I hear people who can't stand Trump sing the praises of these two, or of our Vice President.
Is good taste in clothes really all we require any more?
454
@oldteacher
My feelings, exactly. Thank you, oldteacher. I wonder how I and J will explain DJT to his grandchildren? They're religious frauds and have no idea what true faith is all about.
15
@oldteacher
Wait...what?!
Good taste in clothes?
9
@oldteacher they had to have plastic surgery to look like Barbie & Ken to get people who dislike Jews to worship at the feet of Ivanka, sacred daughter of trump. trump doesn't really like Jared (he wanted Ivanka to marry Bradley). I would think a good Orthodox Jewish woman would take her husband's last name. Be more Orthodox Jew in her behavior. Guess American Jewish women who are converts don't have to follow the rules & rituals. Guess Jared likes being called Ivanka trump's husband, Jared trump? They are just as phony as their looks imply.
9
They "quietly and persistently" shaped the president's response to the awful events in Pittsburgh. Is this for real? I've never seen such a callous, tone deaf response to a national tragedy from a president. What kind of sage advice did they offer? Visit a city you're not wanted in, on the sacred day of many of the victim's funerals, in the midst of a week of campaign rallies where you are spewing hate? Savvy advice indeed.
481
@Island Waters - I'd venture to say that they (Javanka) are the writers who penned their praises.
7
Kushner supports Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who has "blood on his hands" over the murder of journalist Mr Khashoggi, he doesn't pay taxes, he had the Qataris bail him out on a lousy/stupid real estate investment in Manhattan that should have made his company go bankrupt (literally using his office to get that money).
Ivanka, turns out, is just like her Dad and lied to investors to get them to buy bad Trump real estate, which is a felony.
What are they even doing in Washington, except enriching themselves at taxpayers expense.
Lock them up.
184
Twice a day, even a broken clock gets it right, but only a fool would then believe that the clock was fixed, let alone rely on it for accuracy during the other 23 hours and 58 minutes of a day. Similarly, crediting a momentary lack of offensiveness by Donald Trump to his daughter and son-in-law is a fools errand.
Whether it was or wasn't the influence of the Kushners that wrangled the herd of feral cats that is the Trump administration is not so much the point. Of far greater importance is that the president does not seem constitutionally able to maintain an even, conciliatory or empathetic tone for more than a New York minute.
Donald Trump's lack of impulse control is offensive in so many ways, but it is also dangerous, encouraging bad behavior and offering safe harbor to people already predisposed to hatred and even violence.
We need to stop worrying so much about sanctuary cities, when we have a president who is offering an entire sanctuary country to anti-Semites, racists and white ultra-nationalists.
As for Jared and Ivanka, it's worth remembering that were they not the spawn and spouse of this president, they would be nowhere near the levers of power in any country.
300
@Quoth The Raven. "...that here of feral cats that is the Trump Administration...".
Brill!
3
@Quoth The Raven
Per your comment :
As for Jared and Ivanka, it's worth remembering that were they not the spawn and spouse of this president, they would be nowhere near the levers of power in any country.
----------
Brilliant, Sir
3
What kind of person needs "advice" to know how to respond to the hate induced murder of 11 people? Because they're Jews, he needs advice? I guess that explains his muted response to other shootings-he didn't have anyone around exactly like the people shot to ask how to respond.
538
Exactly! Why is this a story?
24
@Ziggy
This is what I said, writing about Trump's wife or Javanka makes pages of NY Times. Please report about something substantive.
23
@scott
Trump needs advice on anything when it comes to appropriate "feelings" because he is on the psychopath spectrum. He knows he cannot give proper responses to much of anything because he never has, and has been told his actions and responses are repulsive his entire life. He knows he disappoints 100% of the time. 10% of the time he asks for advice and 95% of the time he ignores it and gives in to his impulses anyway.
7
These two are typical of Jewish families that have risen in the ranks of money where religion and heritage takes second or third place when it comes to money, and the same can be said for wealthy white Episcopalians, wealthy Islamics, and wealthy Catholics, and so on. When vast fortunes are at stake, intermarriage and business partnerships happen regardless of heritage or religion because gaining and holding money allows their real luxury, which is welding power for the family and their fortunes benefit. Not only is this trip to Pittsburgh a disgusting display of sudden and false empathy for the wonderful Jewish people unceremoniously gunned down due to the constant hateful messages from the WH and this Oaf and offspring, who would have never thought of speaking to let alone associate with these devote members of this temple, but it is also the height of hypocrisy, and it is without a doubt a moment for the nation to witness a day in WH history where the behavior of the President and his family that shows just how vulgar and full of gall and bile they are, and it cannot ever be disguised as anything else.
30
And what has dear Jared done about his murdering bff, the Saudi prince? He advised the mean, vile current occupant of the White House that it would “all blow over”. Are we going to let it?
111
Javanka have not uttered one solitary word of condemnation against the brutality of the Saudi regime, particularly the Dark Prince Salmon, over its continuing genocide in Yemen or its torture and murder of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Their behaviors are as obviously transactional and callow as the Fake President's, determined by who can best promote their personal economic interests. They did nothing of any consequence whatsoever when dear Daddy embraced the Charlottesville Neo-Nazis and White Supremacists. They are the human embodiment of yet another one of Trump's "shiny objects", a mere distraction cynically promoting a false, propagandistic narrative. Both are as authentic as a wooden nickel.
99
Trump has ginned up hate that Jews will never escape from. His base is full of gun toting Neo-Nazi's. He has supported right wing Nationalism across the US and Europe at the same time he is attempting to shut down US immigration both legal and illegal. Hitler supported Israel as a place to dump Jews before he came up with the "Final Solution".
George Soros CEU University which he funded in Hungary is being shut down by a right wing Nationalist government. Soros, a high profile Jew, who has done incredible good works has been unmercifully attacked by Trump and the Republicans because he happens to be liberal. The attacks are reminiscent of attacks on high profile Jews in the 30's. It's disgraceful. George Soros is a great human being by any standard. Jews, all Jews should be incredibly proud of this man. That doesn't mean they don't disagree with his politics if and when they do.
Trumps support for Israel can't be squared with bringing Steve Bannon and Stephen Miller into the White House. The Jewish communities rights in the USA and across the globe are tied at the hip with the rights of all minorities including Muslims, African Americans, women, gays, LBGT, etc., etc., etc...Religious Jews may not like it, it may make them uncomfortable, but that's just the way it is.
39
How many times have we heard this defense from bigots, "Some of my best friends are {fill in the blank of a minority discriminated against/lynched}."
The mask has fallen off.
They don't even bother with the dog whistles anymore.
Calling Nazi's fine people says it all.
33
If these two Senior White House Advisors were named John and Mary Smith would you hire them to clean your toilets?
What qualifications and merit and talent and education and experience do they have to do any thing that they have been delegated authority and power over?
The ugly notion that Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump's declared personal religious pursuasion confers upon them some chosen special status is an artifact from a white Aryan Nazi German ideological perspective that there is a Jewish race.
There is no need for two people in charge of Jewish and Israel affairs on the White House staff. While 40% of the world's 16 million Jews live in America, 98% of Americans are not Jews. Another 40 % of Jews live in Israel. And since March 2018, IsraelI terrorists aka Israel Defense Force have shot 22,000 + Palestinian men, women and children killing 217 of them along the Gaza border. But they are nameless and faceless statistics.
20
Oh super.
Another bland attempt to sanitize the words and actions of an irrational demagogue.
Another Haberman article seeking to find the normal in nepotism while ignoring the dangerous diplomatic portfolio of Jared Kushner, the deceitful vacuity of Ivanka, and the complicity of both in heinous policies of this administration.
And I read it. Got sucked in again...last time.
33
How nice of his 'family' to tell Daddy to behave himself. Too bad the duration is less than a day. This really mentally off guy believes only what he thinks and has no impulse controls.
The real shame and disgrace is the silence from his party. They have control and could have swung the up coming mood towards them if they had leadership comments about these recent horrible events.
They have nothing to gain supporting him yet like sheep are herded into the quiet room. Disgraceful
48
I’m sure it is challenging to fulfill ceremonial duties as president when one is unable to feel empathy towards others. Mr Trump has failed to be remotely convincing in this role for the past two years, and likely his whole life. He seems unable to manage more than a single scripted sentence of sympathy before returning to vitriol.
That his daughter and son-in-law had to coax him into making this visit leaves me feeling worse rather than better. That he knows and is related to Jews in no way excuses his hateful & constant rhetoric of difference and division. It leads us directly to just this place of violence.
I wish the Times would stop looking for some silver lining in this very dark cloud. There is none. There comes a point at which truth is more important than balance. As we stroll ever closer to nationalism, fascism and genocide, I expect the Times to speak up unequivocally.
58
Why do you devote columns to this plastic couple? After all, they are Zionists and have caused more anti-Semitic feelings across the globe than anyone but Trump himself: Kushner, with his boastful relocation of the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, and she, celebrating in Israel while Palestinians were gunned down by snipers at the 'separation fence'.
The couple deserves nothing but the highest contempt for their views on Saudi Arabia, Palestine, guns and just about everything else they stand for.
And you even refer to "... a White House aide who has worked with Mr. Kushner on a Middle East peace initiative." 'Peace initiative'? You can't be serious. If you are, then there's no hope for peace or justice wherever the U.S. is involved. Every U.S. 'initiative' this century has resulted in unending conflict, chaos and suffering. Praising the Kushners is just another sign that the U.S. is beyond redemption.
57
@Hamid Varzi
The plastic couple was prop for Donald.
7
It all makes me sick. This administration makes me sick. Such a sad state.
52
@LAS
His "plea to a rally crowd in Illinois to combat 'the scourge of anti-Semitism' ”. Oh, ok. I was wondering what a "scorge" was.
1
These people do not belong to my people, you cannot just say you are Jewish particularly Ivanka because she has no Jewish blood not one smidgeon. None of that would matter if they practiced one of our main tenants, LOVING KINDNESS, but they do not.
29
@stacey
Stacey,
Ivanka Trump Kushner, is a Jew, notwithstanding your comment about "Jewish blood." To deny this, is to affirm that one's identity as a Jew is only biological and this is nonsense (both scientifically and religiously).
She (Ivanka) does not just "say" she is a Jew, she went through the whole conversion process in 2009.
You may not like her politics, but she is one of your "people."
Respectfully.
RG
4
@rgarcia
Thank you for this. As a fellow convert, the occasional rhetoric/jokes calling Ivanka's Jewishness into question is always so painful to hear. There is so much about her to criticize, so let's please leave the legitimacy of her Jewish identity out of it. When you do this, you hurt an entire subgroup of our people.
4
@lizliz
It isn't how Ivanka became a Jew, its her behavior as a Jew that raises questions.
And before we all get so very high and haughty, lets keep in mind the compassionate statement from the Real Jews Of Israel: "Too bad these guys died. Also too bad they weren't Real Jews and their synagogue is not a Real Synagogue. Such is life."
There's more at work here than you want to acknowledge.
1
Jared and Ivanka's visit was solely done for political optics.
How can you be a congregant if you're not a member of the local community, never previously visited the Synagogue, and then only visit for a single afternoon?
21
@Tom:
"for a single afternoon" - Trump and his gang were not there for the afternoon. They were at the Tree of Life Synagogue for only 13 minutes. They next went to a hospital where injured survivors were hospitalized. Every family rejected Mr. Trump's request to meet them.
The Trumps left Pittsburgh within 2 hours of arrival. They were not greeted when they arrived. They were not wanted there. Trump forced this visit, against everyone's wishes.
If Ivanka and Jared shaped Trump's response, they should be condemned for such "advice" - to forcefully go when you were asked to stay away! Ivanka and Trump regularly enable this president's many inhumane policies.
One of Trump's last words in Pittsburgh was to again blame the Synagogue for not having armed guards - he parroted the NRA's position to weaponize.
What a shameful "president".
I hope everyone votes on Nov 6th to end Trump's and the GOP's abusive control. This means voting to take away their power - i.e. vote fully democratic!
11
Whatever Mr Trump really thinks or feels about Jews is made mostly irrelevant by his constant and trade mark ability to "ride the fence" whenever he speaks on an issue. His well reported comment from Charlottesville that there were "many good people on both sides" and with Pittsburgh that things would have gone differently had there been an armed guard at the Synogogue (his "blame the victim" gambit) simply serve to erase any credibility he might be trying to build
The fact is that Mr. Trump usually does not understand the full weight of the topics he speaks on or simply takes the opportunity to make the incidents work for him.
He still has not learned that it really is not all about him and his remarks and reaction to the tragedy in Pittsburgh reinforces that.
14
The relationship between Trump and Jared can not be explained without a look at money.
While I do believe that Trump is not an anti-Semite, he USES anti-semitism within his winks and nods to the white nationalists. Jared and Ivanka have allowed themselves to be USED as cover for this political ploy of Daddy's. That is for them to reckon with privately.
We can not ignore the fact that Jared came into the Oval Office carrying a debt of almost $1 Billion dollars on 666 Fifth Avenue.
It took him almost 2 years but he did finally secure foreign money to bail out the Kushner clan's looming debt. Jared's motives at all the secret phone calls and meetings conducted in the White House or in Israel and Saudi Arabia have to be examined in this light. We will most likely never know the truth but a case can be made that Jared has been acting out of pure personal financial interests.
Has this been his primary motivator thus trading use of his faith as cover for Trump? It is not a pretty picture. I also do not doubt Jared's faith but have to wonder what was primary in his mind in accepting Trump's constant flirtation with anti-Semitic ideology.
18
I do not think the people of Pittsburgh received any solace from the visit of these Grifters. None. It was an insult.
65
Something always struck me as being a bit odd about the Orthodox Jewish community accepting converts. I’ve seen women in the Old City spit at by Haredim for not “properly” demonstrating their modesty.
Chabad-Lubavitch explains so much. I have nothing but love for my Crown Heights brethren, but let’s not pretend that Jared Kushner is somehow representative of the ideal mensch.
8
Trump still believes that he is all powerful, much like his idols Putin. China, North Korea.
He needs a strong correction often thought of as the checks and balance provided, indeed mandated, in our constitution.
Each day that he continues in the White house with his carefully chosen cohorts and relatives is another day that we have to work to reverse the incredible damage done to our country.
7
I think the tag "court Jews" says it all....trump will use any and every event if he thinks it will garner him more support...what a hypocrite, him and the rest of the "court Jews.
52
Who cares what comments they may have. They cannot be trusted! Not to mention the money they have!! They are nothing! NOTHING is real except his anger and divisions. He is a real monster who must be put down!
67
There’s something weird about Ivanka and Jared needing to shape Trump’s response. Is he so stupid that he doesn’t know how to behave? What is wrong with this guy?
222
He is a true narcissist whose only feelings for others is contempt. He needs others to construct phrases of compassion for him. That’s who Donald Trump has always been.
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@Mark The answer to your question is a resounding "yes."
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You answered your own query...he IS so stupid! Unless it is about him, he has no idea what to say or how to act! Put the blonde out there, she'll calm the mob! Disgusting, isn't it, to use people like that? (choose the emphasis for yourself.)
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If Trump finds you one of his loyalists, your religion, race, sexuality or sex transcend all else. In other words, some of his best family and friends are Jews.
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Remember Charlottesville? remember when one of the alt-right leaders, with a microphone in his face and directing his question to Trump, asked him why he had so many Jews running around in the White House and how he could allow his beautiful blond daughter marry that Jew? What did trump say to that question???? CRICKETS! Because he said absolutely nothing..and do you know why??? because he did not want to offend his base...he needed those votes so he said NOTHING. How deplorable is that??? He said absolutely nothing to that question. Jewish people need to ask this president why he didn't respond. It's telling.
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@nyc2char
Why should he even dignify such a question with a response?
@nyc2char
Can you post a link to the video? I can't find it anywhere on-line. If it's true, it would be a helpful video to share.
3
Seriously? They were more pointedly in front of the camera on this sad day, and to have tempered his response because of their personal affiliation? As always, if there was even a moment of the trip that went well, the rest was inappropriate . . . they were asked not to come by a large number of people forced into saying so, Trump both before and after, laces right back into his hateful rhetoric. None of this devotion (?) corrects the near criminal behavior around their individual lives and business dealings. Life doesn't afford us such separation in our actions. Even in this tragedy, one has to be suspicious of their motivation.
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Question:
Has Mr. Trump attended a religious service of any kind since the election? Not including when he was speaking or a funeral.
It is certainly not a mandatory part of his job, just curious.
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Mr. Clarke, For the record, I seem to recall them attending Christmas and/or Easter services in Palm Beach at a church where they were married.
@David C. Clarke I would submit- has he ever attended a religious ceremony of any kind in his life .
2
What's the point of the ringing endorsement of the role played by these two? It makes light of the aberration that such close 'family members' are involved in the political affairs at the highest level. Be balanced in your portrayal, please.
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....So Trump has a contingent of “Court Jews” (for lack of a better term). Then I think he also needs “Court Hispanics, Court African Americans, Court Muslims, Court Immigrants, Court Democrats” and, of course, many “Court Women,” in addition to all the other groups that Trump has disparaged, accused, mocked and minimized. If the Jewish community thinks that it may be safe with Trump’s policies due to his Jewish connections, think again. When despots come for one, they come for all--have we learned anything from history?
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@Julie N.
Exactly. To Trump, Jared is just "one of the good ones."
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You are correct about that. The woman who had possibly the longest association with Mussolini, other than his wife, was a wealthy Jewish woman. She was not only his mistress for a time, she suggested policy for his party, advertised him, wrote his biography and collected funds for the party all over Europe and America. Even though she had converted to Catholicism she fled to Argentina when Italy's racial laws were established. Her children were protected in Catholic institutions and in the Vatican.
Rudy Giuliani won't let anything happen to Ivanka. But Jared better watch his back.
9
I’m weary of Haberman’s need to write pieces trying to convince me that Jared & Ivanka are the best thing since sliced bread...and, are at the ready to calm Trump’s instincts when the situation arises. The notion that the President of the United States of America requires his daughter and son-in-law to moderate his reactions in times of crises so that he says/does the right thing churns my stomach. These repetitive descriptions of what Trump “needs” continues to demonstrate what an empty, shallow man he is. The end of his Presidency cannot come soon enough. Sadly, I fear for what is left in its wake.
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Jared is a slim landlord. Just look at his company's records in Baltimore@Francine Larson
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@Francine Larson
We could have had ER ll, Charles and Lady Bowles plus spawn of....But for that Declare of get out...7/4/1776.
MAGA?
2
@Francine Larson Haberman is one of the more obvious examples of "access journalism" at work. Her articles about the Trumps always have an element of pleasing or mollifying them to gain future leaks.
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Kudos to Jared and Ivanka’s PR team, which is among the finest I have ever seen in my lifetime of closely watching Washington.
I very much doubt that the judgment of history will be nearly as kind to these two as has been their press coverage.
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@R.S.
Depends upon who makes the judgment...
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These efforts will mean nothing when Trump starts stoking the fear, anger and bigotry of his rally mobs. Nothing.
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@Suzanne Moniz
Trump was not around for Jonestown, Waco, Oklahoma, 9/11, Sandy Hook nor Charleston.
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@Blackmamba Neither were there any tweets from the highest office in the land throwing gasoline on the fires of hatred by equivocating about violence and advocating for more guns.
1
@Blackmamba - So what does that mean? Since he wasn't around to exhibit bad behavior during those terrible events, we should just give him a pass for his bad behavior now?
2