Ivanka Trump filled in for her father during a meeting at the G20 summit, alongside some of the most powerful leaders in the world. A picture was first tweeted out of Ivanka sitting next to Chinese President Xi Jinping, British Prime Minister Theresa May, Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The picture instantly sparked controversy as it’s clear Ivanka has no business being there at all.
Ivanka Trump, unelected, unqualified, daughter-in-chief, is representing the US at the G20 summit next to May, Xi, Merkel. Photo @LanaLukash pic.twitter.com/fvs0EMy8z7
— Brian Klaas (@brianklaas) July 8, 2017
Officials from The White House have tried to play off the embarrassing event as normal and not a big deal.
“Ivanka was sitting in the back and then briefly joined the main table when the President had to step out, and the president of the World Bank started talking as the topic involved areas such as African development — areas that will benefit from the facility just announced by the World Bank,” The White House official said.
“When other leaders stepped out, their seats were also briefly filled by others,” They added.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel defended Ivanka’s role in the white house, saying “Ivanka Trump was part of the American delegation, so that is something that other delegations also do, and it is very well known that she works in the White House and that she is also engaged in certain initiatives,” Merkel told reporters.
The event is especially confusing as Ivanka has previously stated that she “tries to stay out of politics.” Even though she is a top White House Aid, which makes it even more confusing.
Michael McFaul, the former US ambassador to Russia gave his opinion on the strange event.
This is strange. Very strange https://t.co/2vmuMTMzcB
— Michael McFaul (@McFaul) July 8, 2017
