Americans Can't Figure Out What Ivanka Trump Is Doing In India
President Donald Trump occasionally likes to take his clan on his world travels — like that time he brought all of his children (except Barron) and their spouses to visit the British queen. Now Americans, who are footing the bills, are wondering on Twitter what in the world Ivanka Trump is doing on a two-day trip to India — besides tagging along with dad and posing for photos.
It was Donald Trump’s first state visit to India, where he told about 100,000 people at a rally Monday with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi about a $3 billion arms deal with the nation and a developing trade agreement.
The president’s daughter, appointed by her father to be a White House senior adviser despite having no political experience, mostly champions women’s rights and child care — though she has insisted that separated immigrant families and their locked-up children are “not part of my portfolio.”
On Monday she posed in front of the Taj Mahal after traveling to India with her dad and first lady Melania Trump — and husband Jared Kushner, also appointed a White House senior adviser by his father-in-law.
The first daughter was criticized just last week by Walter Shaub, the former head of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, for what he characterized as a taxpayer-funded “corporate” junket to Dubai on what happened to be the third anniversary of the Trump International Golf Club Dubai.
India is home to the most Trump-branded real estate ventures outside of North America — including four luxury high-rises and an office tower, notes The Washington Post. Unlike other presidents, Trump — and his family — did not divest from his businesses when he moved into the White House.
One of Trump’s business partners in India is facing a financial crunch, while another has been accused of massive fraud. Both are closely linked to India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, headed by Modi. A first family visit could boost their bottom line.
But what U.S. national interests are being served by Ivanka Trump’s visit confused many. After the first daughter declared the Taj Mahal “awe inspiring” in a tweet — and Instagram with Jared — scads of people responded: “What are you doing there?”
Alyssa Mastromonaco, former White House deputy chief of staff for operations in the Obama administration, cracked: “Why am I paying for their 2nd honeymoon omfg.”
The grandeur and beauty of the Taj Mahal is awe inspiring! 🇺🇸 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/jcYwXHxf4c
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) February 24, 2020
why am I paying for their 2nd honeymoon omfg pic.twitter.com/ni2XOTl9i7
— alyssa mastromonaco (@AlyssaMastro44) February 24, 2020
WHY ARE YOU THERE???????
— LuLu boom boom Roche (@LuLuRoche) February 24, 2020
Why are taxpayers paying for your vacation?
— Helen Kennedy (@HelenKennedy) February 24, 2020
So glad our tax dollars could fund your sightseeing trip. Millions of Americans will never be able to afford a trip like that, but so happy you’re enjoying yourself at our expense.
— Denise Haynes🗽🇺🇸🐘🦒🐋🌊 (@nee_haynes) February 24, 2020
Did daddy take you on a field trip, Princess? 🍊🤡*
— Kadida Kenner (@kadidakenner) February 24, 2020
New sweatshop, #nepotismbarbie?
What do you do, anyway? World leaders roll their eyes. #TrumpCrimeFamily pic.twitter.com/YIpCgUlu3z— Luiz Lemuz (@luizlemuz) February 24, 2020
— Country Over Party (@Former_Marine_) February 24, 2020
Oh look, another free trip for #NepotismBarbie! So glad that we the taxpayers are helping you see the world and make business deals to fatten your pocketbook!
— Donna Pawlowski 🌊🌊🌊 (@Donnalee711) February 24, 2020
Why are American #taxpayers paying for Ivanka to be in India?
It's incredible to see how the #Trump family continues to leverage presidency for personal profit— Pankaj Ramani (@pmramani) February 24, 2020
— Heinz Rudolf (@HeinzRudolf15) February 24, 2020
GRifters. 2018 -- Ivanka & Jared made $135M, while simultaneously negotiating for U.S. on issues they profit from https://t.co/572x0AAQQt
2017 -- Jared & Ivanka $82 Million In The WHhttps://t.co/4Uwo3Hu9sU
2018. Ivanka 16 new Chinese trademarks. One for voting machines
🙄— vlh (@coton_luver) February 24, 2020
But Hunter Biden...
— Chidi®️ (@ChidiNwatu) February 24, 2020
Also on HuffPost
Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.
This article originally appeared on HuffPost.