If Ivanka Trump wants to head back to the White House in four years time, she has to play her cards carefully right now. Photo / AP
If Ivanka Trump wants to head back to the White House in four years time, she has to play her cards carefully right now. Photo / AP
Ivanka Trump has the ear of her father in a way that her brothers – outspoken Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump – never will.
She is the voice of reason in turbulent times and the President is listening.
Ivanka Trump, who is speculated to be eyeing a 2024 run at the White House for herself, has quietly been engaging her father in talks that go against the advice he is receiving from his other children.
She thinks it is time to walk away after a crushing election defeat to Democratic challenger Joe Biden.
On social media, Trump continues to share his so-far unfounded theories that the election was rigged in Biden's favour.
Ivanka Trump has been carefully crafting her own image as a public policy maker. Photo / AP
But sources say that behind closed doors he is considering the advice of Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner who say he should let the recount continue but be realistic about the way the election ended.
"He knows he's not going to win, but he also knows he holds all the cards right now because he knows that he won 72 million votes and founded a movement," a source told CNN.
Every legally cast vote should be counted. Every illegally cast vote should not. This should not be controversial.
This is not a partisan statement — free and fair elections are the foundation of our democracy. 🇺🇸
"Every legally cast vote should be counted," she wrote. "Every illegally cast vote should not. This should not be controversial. This is not a partisan statement – free and fair elections are the foundation of our democracy."
It is an approach that led her to a position in the White House, something Trump's sons could only dream of.
Ivanka Trump has been carefully crafting her own image as a public policy maker.
Donald Trump Jr has been energetically dismissing the election result alongside his dad while Ivanka Trump has stayed more quiet. Photo / AP
The pinned tweet on her Twitter page virtually promotes herself, stylishly dressed and the only woman in a group of men, as bringing about what no US president has achieved – peace in the Middle East.
A Facebook page entitled "Ivanka for President 2024" has a photoshopped image of the first daughter with slogans saying "Ivanka Trump for President 2024 Keep America Great".
Donald Trump Jr has been energetically campaigning with his father, and has been touted by some as the dream ticket for the next presidential race, Donald Trump Jr 2024.
But it is Ivanka – aka the First Daughter – who has tirelessly fought to try and make herself the most important female in the White House.
Her role as "adviser to the President" will, of course, come to an abrupt end on January 20 when the Trump administration vacates.
If she wants to head back there in four years time, she has to play her cards carefully right now.
That means avoiding making a scene in defence of her father's election drubbing.
"It's a smart move. The sons are protecting their dad, but acknowledging that while they probably can't win the next election, it's better if one of them does, which means they will be close to power anyway," Andrew Hughes, marketing lecturer at the Australian National University, told news.com.au.
"She is probably the best of the Trumps to make a run in future. She's young and she's got a cutting-edge image the Republicans would like to portray."
Ivanka Trump has taken a careful position, but she is not immune to the odd slip-up.
She was criticised for celebrating a late election result that went her father's way this week.
The state of Alaska is notoriously slow to count, but nobody really expected Joe Biden to win in the Republican stronghold.
However, a result was finally reached there, with Trump winning by a comfortable margin, some eight days after election day.
"President Trump and Senate Republicans win Alaska, overwhelmingly and by a massive 20 point spread!" she wrote.
"Put AK in the books for @realDonaldTrump! Congratulations Senator @DanSullivan_AK!
Thank you Alaska!"
The state is only worth three electoral votes, so it doesn't affect the outcome of the election in any way.
Critics pointed out her comments represented a double standard after her father has cast serious doubts on the validity of the late results coming through in the election.
