Ivanka Trump's Alleged New Role Could Put Her at Odds with Her Dad
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Daughter of President-elect Donald Trump, Ivanka Trump, plans to speak out about climate change during her father's administration, a source told Politico on Thursday.
AP/John Locher - apimages.com
From Politico:
"And the ambitious daughter, who once plotted her career around international brand domination, is planning to take on an even heavier lift. Ivanka wants to make climate change — which her father has called a hoax perpetuated by the Chinese — one of her signature issues, a source close to her told Politico. The source said Ivanka is in the early stages of exploring how to use her spotlight to speak out on the issue."
AP/Olivier Douliery - apimages.com
There has been no official comment from Ivanka Trump, so it's difficult to parse out what she plans to say or do about the issue.
A press representative for Ivanka Trump's brand declined to comment on the issue in a phone call with ATTN:.
Ivanka Trump, for her part, co-signed a 2009 letter from business leaders demanding action on the issue, Time reports. Her siblings and father also co-signed the letter. She also launched an eco-friendly bridal jewelry line in 2011, Vogue reports.
"Natural and eco-friendly products are better than ever to use now," she told T Magazine in 2013. Beyond this, there is little evidence of her involvement with environmental causes.
As the Daily Intelligencer points out, addressing climate might be a savvy move for Ivanka Trump's brand.
The soon-to-be first daughter played a large public role during her fathers campaign and currently serves on his transition team, but a 1967 anti-nepotism law prevents her from being able to formally serve under President-elect Trump.
It remains unclear exactly how she will use her platform, but her alleged commitment to climate science comes into conflict with her father's record on the issue and policy positions.
In a November 23 interview with the New York Times, Trump said he had an "open mind" about the issue. From the Times transcript:
"JAMES BENNET, editorial page editor: When you say an open mind, you mean you’re just not sure whether human activity causes climate change? Do you think human activity is or isn’t connected?
"TRUMP: I think right now … well, I think there is some connectivity. There is some, something."
"It's absolutely necessary for someone to talk climate sense to Trump, but talking a good game [...] isn't the same as taking action," Greenpeace spokesperson Travis Nichols told EcoWatch in response to the Politico report.
ATTN: reached out to the Trump transition team, and Trump National Press Secretary Hope Hicks for comment. We will update this post if necessary.
People are pressuring Ivanka to influence the President-elect to change his positions on climate and other issues.
Various figures in the art world marched to Ivanka Trump's Manhattan apartment on Monday asking her to challenge her father's policies, the New York Times reports. The protests began online in an Instagram account asking her to address various issues including climate change. The group behind the account held the quiet protests Monday.