Ivanka Trump shuts down 'inappropriate' question about her father's sexual misconduct allegations
NBC News didn’t pull any punches in its exclusive interview with Ivanka Trump.
Journalist Peter Alexander sat down with her during her visit to South Korea for the Olympics closing ceremony, but it was sexual misconduct, not sports, that dominated the conversation.
Alexander asked the White House adviser and daughter of President Trump if she believed the allegations against her father, which include more than a dozen claims of unwanted physical contact. Her mother, Ivana Trump, also once accused Donald of rape but has since retracted those claims.
“I think it’s a pretty inappropriate question to ask a daughter if she believes the accusers of her father when he’s affirmatively stated there’s no truth to it,” she responded with a smile. “I don’t think that’s a question that you would ask many other daughters.
“I believe my father,” she added. “I know my father. I think I have that right as a daughter to believe my father.”
“Do you believe your father’s [sexual misconduct] accusers?” –@PeterAlexander
“I think it’s a pretty inappropriate question to ask a daughter if she believes the accusers of her father when he’s affirmatively stated there’s no truth to it.” –@IvankaTrump pic.twitter.com/23AVPgcOdE
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) February 26, 2018
Not surprisingly, the comments and Ivanka’s so-called daughter defense have sparked fierce debate on social media. Critics argued that the question shouldn’t be considered off-limits given her White House role.
Ivanka is deliberately infantalizing herself here for sympathy & we cannot fall for it https://t.co/ZssDMwKUQc
— Jessica Valenti (@JessicaValenti) February 26, 2018
Is it appropriate to ask a high-profile White House aide though? https://t.co/DLchYXqb8h
— Scott Detrow (@scottdetrow) February 26, 2018
Ivanka Trump works for the federal government as a senior advisor to the President of the United States.
If she thinks it's "inappropriate" to be asked these questions she should resign. https://t.co/yrix0WgQ1o
— Matt McDermott (@mattmfm) February 26, 2018
I think it’s pretty inappropriate that she works in the Oval without a full security clearance.
— icandigit (@candiluflu) February 26, 2018
Trying to figure out what part of this is inappropriate. She works for the taxpayers, says she focuses on women’s issues, was at the interview because she went to the Olympics to represent the USA, is an adult, and has spoken publicly about accusations against others. https://t.co/7GqrFRe8oH
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) February 26, 2018
Others defended the first daughter, saying Chelsea Clinton would not be confronted about the allegations against her father, former president Bill Clinton. Many responded that Chelsea was still a child when her father in office.
Interestingly, Ivanka Trump herself has promoted the interview by retweeting it.
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