‘Absolutely pathetic’: White House slams viral Ivanka Trump video

The White House has come to Ivanka Trump’s defence after she was savaged over a short video that depicted her fumbling her way through the G20 summit.

The White House has issued a blistering response to a video that sparked widespread criticism of Ivanka Trump’s appearance at the G20 summit.

A White House deputy communications secretary, Jessica Ditto, deemed the video clip a “misrepresentation” and the criticism around it “absolutely pathetic”.

In an email to The New York Times, Ms Ditto said: “It is sad but not shocking that the haters choose to attack Ivanka Trump, a senior adviser to the president, when she is promoting US efforts to empower women through strategic partnerships with world leaders.”

A short video of Ms Trump attempting to interject into a group conversation of world leaders sparked much criticism around the world over the weekend.

Ivanka Trump appears to be trying to get involved in a talk among Macron, May, Trudeau and Lagarde (IMF head).
The video is released by French Presidential palace. pic.twitter.com/TJ0LULCzyQ

— Parham Ghobadi (@ParhamGhobadi) June 29, 2019

The 19-second snippet showed French President Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, International Monetary Fund director Christine Lagarde and British Prime Minister Theresa May engaged in conversation about social justice.

As Mr Macron finishes his point, Ms Trump adds, “It’s on.”

Ms May answers the French President, adding: “As soon as you start talking about the economic aspect of it though, a lot of people start listening who wouldn’t otherwise listen.”

Ms Trump nods along with the British leader, and adds: “And the same with the defence side I think, in terms of the whole sort of …’

As she speaks, Ms Lagarde appears to look startled, and side-eyes the President’s daughter, then turns to stare intently at Mr Trudeau before her eyes drop to the ground.

Ms Trump then makes a gesture with her hands and finishes her point.

“ … being very male dominated,” she adds. “So …”

The video was widely ridiculed on both social media and in the US press.

The hashtag #UnwantedIvanka went viral, in which social media users began photoshopping Ms Trump into random historical events.

"I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." #UnwantedIvanka pic.twitter.com/8tvR71Ey9O

— Colin Sullender (@shiruken) June 30, 2019

We'll always have Ivanka. #unwantedivanka pic.twitter.com/t200ifT2O3

— robin duntze (@vetskeptic) June 30, 2019

My favorite #unwantedivanka pic.twitter.com/hJwhI5hmrJ

— mr.rolwes (@MrRolwes) July 1, 2019

I was clearly late to all of the primo #unwantedivanka memes... pic.twitter.com/OFUGB6nddF

— Tim O'Brien (@TimOBrien) July 1, 2019

.@morninggloria Just for the fun... #unwantedivanka pic.twitter.com/QBZ4kr39mp

— Sara Christelle (@SaraChristelle) June 30, 2019

But the video also sparked a more serious discussion around nepotism and whether Ms Trump should have been invited to attend the summit in the first place.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a democrat congresswoman from New York, accused Ms Trump of being unqualified for the position, tweeting that “being someone’s daughter actually isn’t a career qualification”.

It may be shocking to some, but being someone’s daughter actually isn’t a career qualification.

It hurts our diplomatic standing when the President phones it in & the world moves on.

The US needs our President working the G20. Bringing a qualified diplomat couldn’t hurt either. https://t.co/KCZMXJ8FD9

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) June 30, 2019

It also sparked a renewed discussion about whether Ms Trump has serious presidential ambitions, which has long been speculated.

In March, New York-based journalist Vicky Ward claimed Ms Trump was gunning for the top job.

“Ivanka Trump has made no secret of the fact that she wants to be the most powerful woman in the world,” she writes in her book Kushner Inc. “Her father’s reign in Washington DC is, she believes, the beginning of a great American dynasty.

“She thinks she’s going to be president of the United States,” Gary Cohn told people after leaving the White House.

“She thinks this is like the Kennedys, the Bushes, and now the Trumps.”

Opinion pieces in The Washington Post and The Guardian made similar arguments that the mockery of Ms Trump won’t stop her from this ambitious political rise.

“We need to take what is being reported about Ivanka Trump’s presidential ambitions seriously,” said the Post ’s Helaine Olen. “I dare say that if there were multiple reports of a Trump son musing about a presidential run, we would have long since done just that.

“It’s easy to ridicule the first daughter, but Ivanka Trump appears to be an all-but-unstoppable force, impervious to snubs, ridicule and setbacks — all traits that are mighty helpful for a presidential run.”

The White House recently came out to defend Ms Trump after she accompanied her father on a trip to Asia, sparking similar criticism.

Mr Trump invited his daughter to join him and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo onstage at Osan Air Base in South Korea, saying she would “steal the show”.

Later, a photo of Ms Trump sitting next to her father, surrounded by world leaders, went viral and sparked much criticism.

This photo sparked a furious online response.

Ms Ditto said Mr Trump’s visit to South Korea was “substantive and historic” adding: “Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, our country is more prosperous and secure.”

On Monday, Mr Trump also became the first US president to cross the border into North Korea during a historic meeting with Kim Jong-un.

The two leaders met briefly in the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea with Mr Trump taking 20 steps into North Korea.