As men across the nation are stepping down from positions of power and apologizing for their sexual assault and harassment, it seems as if one man has remained unaffected by any sexual misconduct scandals: President Donald Trump. Flash-forward to a year and a half later: the #MeToo movement has brought strength to numerous women who have spoken out. It’s shown the country just how prevalent sexual assault and harassment is, and has punished many of those who have been found guilty.
Yet the women who accused Trump during the election are still waiting for justice. They are fighting against a man who powerfully denies their accusations and their voices. But he’s not the only one.
In a recent interview with NBC News, Trump’s oldest daughter, Ivanka, refused to answer a question about the sexual misconduct accusations against her father and said that she thought “it’s a pretty inappropriate question to ask a daughter.” Ivanka, however, does still hold a formal White House role and title — which comes with ethical obligations.
“Do you believe your father’s [sexual misconduct] accusers?” –@PeterAlexander
“I think it’s a pretty inappropriate question to ask a daughter if she believes the accusers of her father when he’s affirmatively stated there’s no truth to it.” –@IvankaTrump pic.twitter.com/23AVPgcOdE
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) February 26, 2018
President Trump and his family are seasoned at handling questions about the allegations that he’s assaulted or harassed women. During the presidential debates in fall of 2016, his conversation on a 2005 “Access Hollywood” video demonstrated his disrespectful, degrading attitudes towards women, which he simply brushed off as “locker room talk.” After the video found, four other women spoke out against Trump, claiming Trump had kissed and groped them without their consent. Trump and the White House have denied any allegations of harassment or assault on the part of the president.
“These vicious claims about me of inappropriate conduct with women are totally and absolutely false,” Trump said to The Washington Post at the time.
Ivanka has also, obviously, had to face questions about her father’s allegations before as a daughter and as a member of his staff. In Berlin in 2017, she said her father was a “champion” for families and women; she was met by an outroar of boos from the German crowd.
She continued to support her father in the NBC News interview on Monday: “I believe my father, I know my father,” Ivanka said to NBC. “So I think I have that right as a daughter to believe my father.”
As a senior adviser to Trump, Ivanka is expected to comment on his actions like other members of Trump’s political sphere. Being his daughter too, however, puts her in a difficult situation.
Rachel Crooks, who accused Trump of sexual assault for his actions in 2006, tweeted about Ivanka’s response: “I understand the unfortunate position someone would be in to have to admit their father is a misogynist and a sexual predator, but those who remain complicit in his actions are also part of the problem.”