So, Yeah, it Looks Like Kellyanne Conway's Ivanka Trump 'Commercial' Worked
It's once again time for "How the Trumps Are Profiting Off the Presidency!" This time, we turn to Ivanka, whose businesses appeared to be taking a hit after numerous retailers stopped stocking her clothing and jewelry lines. However, despite the setback from major retailers, Ivanka's sales soared in February―thanks to Kellyanne Conway's questionably ethical endorsement.
On February 9, Donald Trump complained that Nordstrom was treating Ivanka unfairly for dropping her line, claiming poor sales. Which is how business works, something you'd think self-described successful businessman Donald Trump would know. Anyway, Conway defended Ivanka on Fox & Friends, saying of her line "I'm going to give a free commercial here. Go buy it today, everybody."
According to retailer Lyst, sales of Ivanka's line went up 346% from January to February, going from the site's 550th most popular brand to the 11th, The Washington Post reports. Ivanka Trump brand president Abigail Klem said the beginning of February held "the best performing weeks in the history of the brand."
Conway's endorsement was seen by many as a violation of ethics, as federal rules specifically prohibit the use of public office for personal gain "for the endorsement of any product, service or enterprise, or for the private gain of friends, relatives or persons with whom the employee is affiliated in a nongovernmental capacity." However, given that Ivanka has no official title in the White House, it's murky as to whether those rules apply to her. White House Deputy Counsel Stefan Passantino later said Conway "inadvertently" promoted Ivanka, a reminder that ethics rules only matter if you intend to break them.
Lyst says Ivanka's sales are going down again after the PR boost, and more and more retailers have been dropping her brand. Because why carry such a controversial brand when you can get black pumps and shift dresses literally anywhere else?
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