6 Red Flags in Ivanka Trump’s Relationship with Her Father (3 of 4)

A Moment That Left Her Son Feeling Ignored

Family loyalty is often key for the Trumps, but early in 2024, a small incident suggested that Ivanka’s children may not always come first in her father’s eyes. At a UFC event, Donald Trump greeted Ivanka and her husband Jared but seemed oblivious to his grandson, Joseph, who tried repeatedly to catch his attention. A since-deleted tweet suggested the young boy was hurt by his grandfather’s focus on mingling with celebrities instead of family. In contrast, Trump’s other grandchildren had even joined him on stage at rallies, leaving Ivanka understandably disappointed by the oversight.

Uncomfortable Comments That Cross the Line

Ivanka has long been the focus of her father’s admiration, but some remarks he’s made over the years have raised eyebrows. In a 2015 Rolling Stone interview, Trump once said that if he “weren’t happily married—and, ya know, her father,” he might have a different kind of interest in his daughter. In another cringe-worthy moment on The View in 2006, Trump remarked that if Ivanka weren’t his daughter, he’d “probably be dating her,” leaving both Ivanka and the hosts visibly uncomfortable. Such comments have been widely criticized and have undoubtedly impacted Ivanka’s relationship with her father in complex ways.