In a strikingly unorthodox speech delivered at the annual Moms for Liberty conference in Washington, former President Donald Trump claimed that his daughter Ivanka Trump rejected an offer to become U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations in favor of focusing on job creation. The controversial remarks came amid a wide-ranging and sometimes disjointed discussion that veered from personal anecdotes to policy critiques.
Trump, who is currently campaigning for the 2024 presidential election, recounted that he had proposed Ivanka as a candidate for the UN role, citing her purported skills and capabilities. "I said, you would be a great ambassador to the United Nations," Trump asserted. "There'd be nobody to compete with her. She may be my daughter but nobody could have competed with her." According to Trump, Ivanka declined the position, choosing instead to dedicate herself to creating jobs.
In what appeared to be an attempt to showcase her dedication, Trump described Ivanka's efforts as extensive and impactful. "She would go around to see Wal-Mart, to see Exxon, to see all these big companies to hire people," Trump claimed. "She had hired, like, millions of people during the course of her stay." This assertion, which lacks concrete verification, highlights Trump's tendency to mix personal pride with broad claims.
The remarks were made during a "fireside chat" hosted by Moms for Liberty, a conservative nonprofit known for its efforts to influence school curricula and challenge LGBTQ inclusivity and racial equity programs. Trump's speech was notably eclectic, covering various topics such as his parents' marriage, his television show "The Apprentice," and a range of political figures including Elon Musk and his political rivals.
Trump also used the platform to reiterate his controversial positions on social issues. He criticized transgender rights, falsely asserting that Olympic women's boxing champion Imane Khelif is transgender and expressing skepticism about gender-affirming healthcare. "The transgender thing is incredible," Trump said, perpetuating misinformation about children undergoing gender-related medical procedures.
His remarks on immigration were similarly provocative. Trump claimed that illegal migrants are "poisoning" the country and negatively impacting schools. "It's crazy. Our country is being poisoned," he said, reflecting his hardline stance on border issues.
The former president's comments were received with mixed reactions. While some supporters at the event applauded his remarks and chanted his name, others viewed his approach as potentially alienating to moderate voters. The Moms for Liberty gathering, attended by a predominantly conservative audience, provided Trump with a platform to reinforce his base's support while advancing his political agenda.
Trump's discussion also included a defense of his visit to Arlington National Cemetery, which faced criticism for being used as a campaign photo opportunity. Trump insisted his visit was at the invitation of the families of 13 U.S. service members killed in Afghanistan. "These people were killed by Biden, as far as I'm concerned," Trump said, continuing his criticism of the current administration's handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal.
