Some people ask, “Why are there no scandals involving Ivanka Trump?” But the truth is — there are scandals, and the notion of her being untouched by controversy is more myth than reality. Ivanka Trump, daughter of former U.S. President Donald Trump, has faced numerous ethical questions, political backlash, and public scrutiny during and after her time in the White House. So why does the perception of her being “scandal-free” still persist?
Let’s dig into the reality behind the headlines and expose why this narrative needs a second look.
One of the most persistent controversies surrounding Ivanka Trump centers on conflicts of interest during her time as a White House adviser. Despite her lack of political experience, she took on a powerful role in the Trump administration — raising major red flags about nepotism and influence.
While advising the president, Ivanka maintained business operations, with her fashion brand continuing to operate and profit. Ethics experts raised concerns that foreign leaders and businesspeople might have seen her position as a potential opportunity for access or influence.
In 2018, Ivanka was granted seven new trademarks by China — including for voting machines and sausage casing — on the same day she dined with Chinese President Xi Jinping at Mar-a-Lago. This timing drew serious scrutiny, with critics accusing her of mixing politics with personal business.
While she later shut down her fashion brand, many saw it as a move made too late — after years of using her name and power to build a global business empire under the shadow of the presidency.
Ivanka Trump was found to have used a personal email account for official government business, a move that mirrored the same issue her father criticized Hillary Clinton for. Although her defenders claimed the emails were non-sensitive, the incident ignited political hypocrisy debates — especially among those who believed in transparency and accountability.
This was not just a minor error; it was a direct violation of the Presidential Records Act and showed a double standard in how scandals are addressed based on political affiliation.
Following the January 6 Capitol riot, Ivanka Trump received criticism for calling the rioters “American Patriots” in a since-deleted tweet. Her initial language appeared to validate the actions of the violent mob that stormed the Capitol — even though she later called for peace.
Her silence in the days that followed, and the carefully managed image during that crisis, raised questions about how committed she really was to democracy and truth.
One reason people believe Ivanka Trump hasn’t been involved in scandals is media image management. Compared to her father and brothers, Ivanka cultivated a more polished, controlled public persona — with careful fashion choices, poised interviews, and diplomatic appearances.
But a clean image doesn’t equal a clean record.
Numerous publications have reported on her behind-the-scenes role in shaping policies — many of which were highly criticized, such as family separation at the border, tax reforms favoring the wealthy, and environmental rollbacks.
Ivanka Trump’s ability to avoid full-blown scandal may have less to do with her actual conduct and more to do with:
Selective media coverage
Strategic silence during controversies
Privilege and political shielding
The public’s tendency to focus on louder figures like Donald Trump or Jared Kushner
Many observers argue that her scandals are just better managed and less explosive — but not absent.
The question shouldn’t be “Why hasn’t Ivanka Trump faced scandal?” — it should be “Why haven’t her scandals received the attention they deserve?” From ethics violations to political controversies, Ivanka Trump is far from a controversy-free figure. Her scandals exist — they’ve just been softened by clever image management and political privilege.
