Ivanka Trump has been sparking so much backlash on social media lately that it almost feels like she’s doing it on purpose. Critics have questioned how she manages to seem so oblivious, especially since people flock to the comments on all of her posts to let her know how they really feel. It’s not exactly a secret.
To be fair, though, many of these posts would probably not be noteworthy or controversial if someone else posted them. Most recently, Ivanka took to social media to share a tribute to Dolly Parton. Many other people did this as well. What bothered people about Ivanka’s post was that she seemed to be praising Dolly for qualities that she does not embody herself.
Ivanka shared her favorite Dolly Parton quote in her post.
A couple years ago on @lexfridman podcast I cited a piece of wisdom from @DollyParton that has resonated within me since I first heard it. "I don't criticize and condemn; I love and accept."
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) August 25, 2026
That quote, like so much of what made Dolly Parton an American icon, was deceptively…
Interestingly, of all the iconic Dolly Parton quotes she could’ve picked, Ivanka shared something Dolly had said after people criticized her for doing a song with Kid Rock.
In 2023, when addressing her controversial duet with Kid Rock, Dolly said, “I don’t condemn or criticize. I just accept and love.” Apparently, this is Ivanka’s favorite Dolly quote, which people find especially ironic, given that condemning and criticizing seem to be among her father’s favorite pastimes.
In her post, Ivanka wrote that this quote really resonated with her. “A couple years ago on @lexfridman podcast I cited a piece of wisdom from @DollyParton that has resonated within me since I first heard it,” she started. “‘I don’t criticize and condemn; I love and accept.'”
Critics really couldn’t believe she had the audacity to claim this as her favorite quote.
Dolly Parton was a genuinely decent human being who gave back to her community, mentored people and contributed beauty to the people.
— V #StandWithUkraine 🇦🇺🇺🇦🇭🇷 (@ms_vagablonde) August 26, 2026
Something you will never be and know nothing about. https://t.co/npu7M9QlRm
After all, her dad, President Donald Trump, lashes out at people on social media (and in real life) on a regular basis. So, in the comments, numerous critics told Ivanka that she should consider sharing that piece of wisdom with him instead of her X followers.
“maybe you should read that quote to your father,” someone commented. “You might want to enlighten your father & the rest of your corrupt family,” another person advised. They told Ivanka that she was embarrassing herself by posting this.
“Your dad never stops criticizing and condemning,” a third critic argued. And while a lot of the criticism was directed at Ivanka’s dad, people also noted that she doesn’t necessarily seem to be prioritizing love and acceptance either.
“It ‘resonated’ with you but apparently not enough to make you be a better person,” someone else wrote.
And people also accused her of making Dolly’s death about herself.
Imagine how much good and positive you could do if you didn't just "adore and admire" Dolly Parton, but lived in merely the same time zone of those principles. https://t.co/0tIEYBEUUK
— Robert Elisberg (@relisberg) August 26, 2026
At the beginning of her post, she mentioned a podcast she appeared on in the past. Elsewhere, she wrote about how she and Dolly had never met.
“That quote, like so much of what made Dolly Parton an American icon, was deceptively simple — uncomplicated on its face but profound and deeply moving beneath the surface,” she continued in the post. “Goodbye to a bright light. A peerless singer, incredible songwriter, gifted comic actress, tireless philanthropist, accomplished businesswoman and true original. We never met but I adored and admired Dolly greatly.”
To critics, this just made Ivanka sound like a “grifter.” They also thought it helped illustrate the difference between her and Dolly. “You really don’t have a shred of tact. She was everything your family will never be,” a critic commented. “She stood for compassion and generosity. You stand for selfishness and greed.”
“Inserting yourself into a cultural moment you have no business being part of?” another critic wrote. “And hijacking a quote from a woman who lived her life almost totally opposite to the way you’ve lived yours?”
Many noted that the world might be a better place if the Trump family learned something from Dolly, but they don’t see that happening. “Too bad you don’t truly follow her example,” someone else commented.
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