Rosalind Evans
Ivanka Trump faced a skeptical audience during a women’s panel in Berlin when she advocated for her father’s dedication to women’s issues, eliciting audible hisses and boos from some attendees.
The session began with Ivanka explaining her role in the White House. When queried by Miriam Meckel, the German business magazine Wirtschaftswoche’s editor, about her representation as the first daughter, she stated her unfamiliarity with this new role. “It’s very early for me. I’m listening, learning, and figuring out how to make a difference,” she remarked.
The crowd’s reaction turned negative during a conversation about paid leave when Ivanka praised her father for his support of women. Responding to questions about the President’s past controversial remarks concerning women, Ivanka asserted her firsthand knowledge of his respect and belief in women’s potential.
Emphasizing her identity as a feminist, Ivanka expressed concern about perceived exclusivity within the feminist movement. She stated, “We must come together, even with differing viewpoints, and engage in respectful discussions like this.” Ivanka also stressed the importance of understanding reservations about identifying as a feminist.
At the W-20 summit, focused on advancing women’s roles in the workforce and equality, Ivanka joined other notable figures such as German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, and IMF director Christine Lagarde.
Reacting to the audience’s skepticism, Ivanka later commented, “I’m used to it. For progress, we need open dialogue, without the fear of being stigmatized.”
Chancellor Merkel had personally invited Ivanka for this visit, highlighting the strengthening relationship between Germany and the US and marking Ivanka’s increasing diplomatic role. Her visit to Berlin has garnered significant media attention, with over 400 press credentials issued for the W-20 event.
Reflecting on her growing bond with Merkel, the President’s daughter spotlighted German apprenticeship programs, acknowledging, “The Germans have truly been pioneers.”
Ivanka Trump’s Berlin visit underscores the increasingly intricate dynamics between traditional diplomacy and familial ties in the current U.S. administration. As global leaders and the public continue to define and understand Ivanka’s role in international relations, one thing is sure: her presence on the worldwide stage garners attention and shapes dialogues unexpectedly.
