During an interview with Jenna Bush Hager on SiriusXM’s The Jenna Bush Hager Show!, Katie Holmes explained to Hager why her daughter, Suri Cruise, was affected by Hillary Clinton’s defeat in the 2016 presidential election. While Suri is only 10 years old, the election impacted her greatly, just like it impacted all women.
According to Entertainment Tonight, Suri had the opportunity to meet Clinton and her daughter Chelsea Clinton during one of many Clinton fundraisers that Holmes attended. Refinery29 reveals that Holmes has inspired her daughter to be “politically engaged.”
Back in October, Holmes told People, “We watch the [presidential] debates together. It’s wonderful to have my 10-year-old see a woman up there doing well and being very clear and thoughtful in her responses and in her passion for what she wants to do for our country. That’s so powerful for a 10-year-old girl to see.” It’s amazing that Suri is already interested in politics at her age. After all, I, along with most former 10-year-olds, was completely oblivious to any presidential election or politics in general as a kid. Suri is ahead of her time.
Holmes shared with Hager how the election results impacted not only her but also her daughter. “I thought Hillary was going to win this year, and it was such a—it just hurt so bad when she didn’t. And I know that it hurt my child so much as a 10-year-old, and it really made me think, Oh we have a lot…a long way to go as women.” And we do. Though women have made some incredible strides in the last several decades, we still have a long way to go. For starters, why is the wage gap still a thing?
Holmes explained how she’s teaching Suri to advocate and care on behalf of all women. “We have to raise our girls to be very strong, not just for themselves, but to open the doors for other people. Because as hard as we think we have it, there’s so many women in the world that have it so much harder and we really need to be strong and help them. And help each other so that strength is number one…” Well said, Katie. I mean, if we don’t look out for one another, then who will?
Exposing Suri to politics is a great way to make her feel empowered. While Clinton’s loss might have crushed the Holmes household, there’s no doubt that Hillary is still an exemplary role model for Suri.