Ivanka Trump not likely to be part of father Donald Trump’s team despite his historic victory
Donald Trump has been in the fight of his life, both in the US election and in court, but first daughter Ivanka was noticeably absent. Find out what her reappearance by his side means.
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We have seen very little of Ivanka Trump during her father Donald Trump’s US presidential campaign until there she was on election night; a vision in blue velvet back by his side.
Ivanka, 43, was an integral part of not only her father's two prior campaigns, but his last presidency as well where she served as his most trusted official adviser.
There is some conjecture Ms Trump’s return to the literal political stage after her conspicuous absence could also mean a return to politics.
But recent commentary on the matter by not only the first daughter but her husband Jared Kushner – a former Trump adviser who now runs a A$4.5 billion private equity firm – suggests otherwise.
Ms Trump, a former socialite, stayed out of the spotlight for some time after her father’s defeat to Joe Biden in 2020.
Just minutes after Trump announced in November 2022 he would be taking another tilt at the White House, Ms Trump issued a statement to CNN saying she would have no part in it.
“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 wrote.
Despite remaining quiet for several years, Ms Trump has been photographed at an increasing number of parties with her former A-list cronies, many of whom support the opposite side of politics, ever since she was invited to best friend Kim Kardashian’s birthday party and therefore back into the social scene in October 2023.
Ms Trump and Mr Kushner were photographed attending a UFC match in Miami with Trump in March.
But like her siblings and stepmother Melania, Ms Trump stayed away during his trial over the hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels.
She did share a rare social media post regarding her father following his attempted assassination in July.
“Thank you for your love and prayers for my father and for the other victims of today’s senseless violence in Butler, Pennsylvania,” Ms Trump wrote.
“I am grateful to the Secret Service and all the other law enforcement officers for their quick and decisive actions today. I continue to pray for our country.
“I love you Dad, today and always.”
The same month she also supported him at the Republican National Convention, renewing hopes she would rejoin the campaign.
However, she quickly quashed them later in July when she appeared on an episode of Lex Fridman’s podcast, stating her decision to remove herself was “rooted in me being a parent”.
“Politics is a rough, rough business and I think it’s one that you also can’t dabble in,” she said.
“I think you have to either be all in or all out. And I know today, the cost (my children) would pay for me being all in, emotionally in terms of my absence at such a formative point in their life.
“And I’m not willing to make them bear that cost. I served for four years and feel so privileged to have done it, but as their mum, I think it’s really important that I do what’s right for them,” the mother of three added.
Her stance was backed up by Mr Kushner who in October told the New York Times the chance of Ms Trump returning to the White House was “zero”.
“(Ms Trump) made the decision when she left Washington that she was closing that chapter of her life”, Mr Kushner said.
“And she’s been remarkably consistent.”
Mr Kushner’s remarks came hot on the heels of Ms Trump not only organising a Taylor Swift themed 13th birthday party for her daughter Arabella but taking her to one of the final Eras tour concerts.
Trump declared in a post on Truth Social he “hated” Swift after the singer publicly endorsed his political rival Kamala Harris, on Instagram.
Swift signed off her endorsement post as a “Childless Cat Lady” taking a swipe at comments made by Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance.
On the even of the election, Ms Trump posted on social media not about politics, but about the “life lessons” including “guard your peace” which she was reflecting on in light of her recent birthday.
Ms Trump’s appearance on stage when her father claimed victory on election night, albeit to the very edge of the group, and her presence at his after-party at Mar-a-Lago were welcomed by his supporters.
But it looks like Ms Trump has exited the metaphorical political stage for good.
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