Ivanka Trump’s answer to critics who want her to keep her father in check: Just trust me

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Ivanka Trump, daughter of US President Donald J. Trump. Photo: EPA

Published: 11:03pm, 5 Apr 2017Updated: 11:03pm, 5 Apr 2017

The Trump critics who are hoping and praying – even though perhaps sceptical – that Ivanka Trump will exert a moderating influence on her father are going to have to keep hoping and praying.

During an interview with CBS News’ Gayle King that aired Wednesday morning, the first daughter and recently installed White House adviser made clear she is no fan of speaking publicly about her differences with her father. She said repeatedly that people are just going to have to do without her “public denouncements” and trust that she’s telling President Donald Trump what she really thinks about some of his policies.

“I would say not to conflate lack of public denouncement with silence,” Ivanka Trump told her critics. “I think there are multiple ways to have your voice heard. In some cases, it’s through protest and it’s through going on the nightly news and talking about or denouncing every issue on which you disagree with. Other times it is quietly and directly and candidly.”

She later returned to the idea that “public denouncement” isn’t the answer, but insisted she tells Trump hard truths.

I would say not to conflate lack of public denouncement with silence,

Ivanka Trump

“I do, and almost everyone he surrounds him with does,” she said. “We’re in a unique time where noise equals, in a lot of people’s perception, advocacy. And I fundamentally disagree with that. I do think there’s a time for public denouncement. ... I also think there’s a time for discussion.”