The silence of Ivanka
Trump’s eldest daughter has been conspicuously quiet
Virtually every high-profile member of Trump’s family and campaign has weighed in on the videotape of Trump bragging about sexual assault.
The official line includes permutations of the following elements: 1. Condemn the words used by Trump, 2. Emphasize that he apologized, 3. Talk about the need to move on to other topics.
In a highly unusual release, Trump’s wife, Melania, released a statement both condemning Trump’s words and forgiving him.
Others associated with Trump have been more aggressive in diminishing the importance of the tape.
Trump’s son Eric said the video just captured what happens sometimes when two “alpha” personalities — Trump and Access Hollywood’s Billy Bush — collide.
[M]y father apologized for it. He was right to apologize for it, and I’m glad he apologized for it… At the same time, I think it’s locker room banter. I think sometimes when guys are together they get carried away, and sometimes that’s what happens when alpha personalities are in the same presence. At the same time, I’m not saying it’s right. It’s not the person that he is.
His brother, Donald Trump Jr., was on Twitter dismissing the tape as a “private convo about women.”
Other top aides and surrogates including campaign manager Kellyanne Conway, Sen. Jeff Sessions, and RNC strategist Sean Spicer have condemned the remarks but, oddly, denied Trump was describing sexual assault.
One prominent member of the Trump family who has remained conspicuously silent is Ivanka Trump. This is a change in her approach. When the New York Times reported in May that Trump had groped and kissed women without their consent, Ivanka was on national TV defending her father.
“He’s not a groper. It’s not who he is,” Ivanka said.
Now that there is tape of Donald Trump bragging about groping womens’ genitals, Ivanka is silent. On social media she has avoided campaign talk and focused on promoting her personal brand.
Ivanka was at the center of a related story that also broke last week. CNN uncovered audio from a 2004 Howard Stern appearance where Trump agrees to let Stern describe Ivanka as a “piece of ass.”
Oddly, Ivanka’s account “liked” a tweet promoting the story.
But what does she think of it?
Mum’s the word.