Donald Trump just announced his 2024 run for president. As the one-term president who spurred an insurrection after denying the results of the 2020 election told his audience he was running again, one person was notably absent: his daughter Ivanka Trump.
Ivanka, who was as adviser to her father during his presidency, didn't show up to stand next to her father onstage, even though he reportedly begged her to be there. Later that night, Ivanka released a statement explaining that she will not be involved in her father's candidacy in any way.
"I love my father very much," the 41-year-old said. "This time around, I am choosing to prioritize my young children and the private life we are creating as a family. 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 added. “I am grateful to have had the honor of serving the American people and I will always be proud of many of our administration’s accomplishments.”
According to what sources told the New York Post, Trump was desperate for both Jared Kushner and daughter Ivanka to be there. Over the weekend, as his daughter Tiffany Trump got married, the former president was focused on one thing: getting Jared and Ivanka to commit to joining him onstage.
Kushner did choose to attend Trump's announcement in Mar-a-Lago’s ballroom, but as part of the crowd.
Trump spoke for over an hour, in a since-fact-checked speech. During it, the former president told many blatant lies. He told the crowd he was the first president ever to keep the country out of war for "decades" upon decades.
Trump's two younger sons, Eric and Barron, also attended, along with former first lady Melania Trump.
While Ivanka Trump was heavily involved with her father's presidency, sources told the New York Post that those years were difficult for the president's daughter and her husband. "They both feel they got burned in Washington and don’t want to go back and expose themselves and their children to another bitter campaign," they explained.
Of course, Ivanka distancing herself from her father's campaign goes to show how even his own family members have lost confidence in his abilities as president, or perhaps his ability to win another election.
