Speaking during Tuesday, July 2nd interview on the Lex Fridman Podcast, on similar to Joe Rogan’s podcast in terms of guests and content, but often more serious in tone, Ivanka Trump, the daughter of former President Donald Trump. commented on her dad’s presidential run and conviction, noting the human cost of the lawfare campaign against him.
For one, Ivanka said that she will attend the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee later in July, but will not be involved in a potential second Trump administration. Explaining why, she cited her children. That news is very welcome among many conservatives who support Trump, as she and her husband, Jared Kushner, were seen as liberal influences upon the president in his first term.
Speaking about the political situation generally when commenting on why she wouldn’t participate in a second Trump Administration, Ivanka said that it is “rough” and you have to be wholly committed, which she can’t do. She said, “Politics is a rough, rough business, and I think it’s one that you also can’t dabble in. I think you have to either be all in or all out.”
Continuing, she explained that she doesn’t think her children should have to bear the cost, namely the emotional and personal cost, of her participating in another Trump Administration. She said, “And I know today the cost they 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.”
She added that she had served for years and felt “privileged” to have done that, but doesn’t want to put her kids through her doing it again, saying, ” I served for four years and feel so privileged to have done it, but as their mom, I think it’s really important that I do what’s right for them. And I think there are a lot of ways you can serve.”
Then, returning to the more general political situation and how horrible it is, Ivanka said, “I also think for politics, it’s a pretty dark world. There’s a lot of darkness, a lot of negativity, and it’s just really at odds with what feels good for me as a human being. And it’s a really rough business. So for me and my family, it feels right to not participate.”
Ivanka also spoke, during the interview, about her father’s conviction, naturally calling it a “painful” experience for the family to go through, but adding that she still loves him greatly. She said, “Well, on a human level, it’s my father. And I love him very much, so it’s painful to experience. But ultimately I wish it didn’t have to be this way.”
Watch her here:
Former President Trump, for his part, said that his conviction was not great for his family and business, but that he will persevere regardless, saying, “It’s not that it’s pleasant — it’s very bad for family; it’s very bad for friends and businesses, but I’m honored to be involved in it because somebody has to do it, and I might as well keep going and be the one.”
Featured image credit: By North Charleston from North Charleston, SC, United States – Boeing 787-10 rollout with President Trump, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=57039073
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