More than a month after Ivanka Trump was a no-show at her father’s announcement that he would seek the presidency again, Donald Trump says he actually asked her and her husband Jared Kushner not to join his campaign.
Ivanka, who bore the title of senior presidential adviser during her father’s term in the White House, said in a November 15 statement that she decided not to participate, contradicting Trump’s new statement.
“Contrary to Fake News reporting, I never asked Jared or Ivanka to be part of the 2024 Campaign for President and, in fact, specifically asked them not to do it — too mean and nasty with the Fake & Corrupt News and having to deal with some absolutely horrendous SleazeBags in the world of politics, and beyond,” Trump wrote on the Truth Social platform.
“There has never been anything like this ‘ride’ before, and they should not be further subjected to it. I ran twice, getting millions more Votes the second time (RIGGED), & am doing it again!” he added.
But The New York Post reported in November that Trump had “begged” both Ivanka and Kushner to join his campaign team while they were all at Tiffany Trump’s Mar-a-Lago wedding.
“Trump thought he could convince Ivanka this weekend to come back and campaign for him as she was the most requested speaker after the president himself last time around,” The Post quoted an “insider” as saying.
“But so far she’s resisting his entreaties and holding firm, as is Jared. They both feel they got burned in Washington and don’t want to go back and expose themselves and their children to another bitter campaign.”
For her part, Ivanka was clear as to why she was not joining the campaign.
“I love my father very much,” Ivanka said, The Daily Wire reported in November. “This time around, I am choosing to prioritize my young children and the private life we are creating as a family. I do not plan to be involved in politics.”
“While I will always love and support my father, going forward I will do so outside the political arena,” she continued. “I am grateful to have had the honor of serving the American people and I will always be proud of many of our Administration’s accomplishments.”
Ivanka insisted she is close to her father and that “hasn’t changed and will never change.”
“I’ve had many roles over the years but that of daughter is one of the most elemental and consequential,” she said. “I am loving this time with my kids, loving life in Miami and the freedom and privacy with having returned to the private sector. This has been one of the greatest times of my life.”
While talking about her three children — Arabella, 11, Joseph, 9, and Theodore, 6 — she said that they were at “critical ages” and that she wanted to be there to enjoy “these moments with them.”
“We’re happy where we are right now, and we will continue to support my father — as his kids,” Ivanka added.
The views expressed in this piece are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.
Joseph Curl has covered politics for 35 years, including 12 years as White House correspondent for a national newspaper. He was also the a.m. editor of the Drudge Report for four years. Send tips to [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @josephcurl.