Ivanka Trump who has been alongside her father Donald Trump for nearly two decades, has decided to withdraw from politics. Ivanka has been a key figure in Trump’s professional life and political ventures, from designing his hotels during his real estate days to advising him during his presidency.
However, in January 2021, she left Washington, DC, and stepped away from her father’s employ, marking the first time since she was 23 years old that she forged her own path.
Ivanka announced in 2022 that she would not return to politics, prioritising her children and private life in Miami. Sources confirmed that even after Donald Trump’s 2024 election victory, her stance remains unchanged.
“I love my father very much. This time around I am choosing to prioritize my young children and the private life we are creating as a family. I do not plan to be involved in politics,” she reiterated in a social media post.
During her White House tenure, Ivanka faced intense scrutiny, where she focused on issues like criminal justice reform and paid family leave.
Though she remains close to her father, Ivanka has chosen to advise him informally and out of the public eye. Her husband, Jared Kushner, has also declined a formal role in the incoming administration but is expected to advise on Middle East affairs. Meanwhile, his father, Charles Kushner, has been nominated as the US ambassador to France.
The past four years have been marked by personal struggles for Ivanka. Her mother, Ivana Trump, passed away unexpectedly in 2022, and she has been caring for her 98-year-old grandmother. Jared Kushner also underwent two surgeries for thyroid cancer, which further influenced their decision to prioritise family.
Ivanka also said that politics is a much negative sector to work in, “Politics is – 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.”
She further told The Lex Fridman Podcast, “And you know, it’s a really rough business. So for me and my family, it feels right to not participate.”
According to her friends, she is content with her decision to step away from politics as she is prioritizing her family, attempting to find some privacy, and pursuing new interests, according to CNN.
“Her children are in a sweet spot where they’re all critical ages, they’re tweens and teens, and it’s short – it’s really brief. She loves being with her children, and she’s found a lot of peace and happiness in her private life,” said Maggie Cordish, a longtime friend.
Trump has tapped into a wide-ranging series of new hobbies. Her social media posts are peppered with images of her and her family gardening, practicing jiu-jitsu at the Valente Brothers’ studio, learning to surf at Kelly Slater’s Surf Ranch, playing polo on horseback, driving motocross bikes and playing board games.
In addition to her charity work, Ivanka and Jared have resumed real estate ventures, including developing a luxury Albanian island.
“It’s amazing to bring together all of this talent, and for me to be able to play around and flex the real estate muscles again and have some fun with it,” Ivanka told Fridman.
Ivanka remains active on social media, sharing her volunteer work and hobbies through polished photography.
Ivanka’s departure from politics signifies a dramatic shift for a key figure in the Trump family. As she prioritises family and community, she continues to shape her legacy away from the public spotlight.