Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Ivanka Trump breaks silence after father’s historic criminal conviction: ‘I love you dad’

The former first daughter, who also served as a special advisor during Trump’s time in office, posted a heartfelt message to her Instagram

Mike Bedigan
Los Angeles
Friday 31 May 2024 12:51 BST
Comments
Trump makes unfounded claim hush money trial was 'rigged' after guilty verdict
Leer en Español

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Ivanka Trump has broken her silence and spoken out in support of her father after the former president’s historic criminal conviction at his hush money trial in New York.

The former first daughter, who also served as a special advisor during Donald Trump’s time in office, posted a heartfelt message to her Instagram, shortly after her father was found guilty of all felony charges on Thursday

A jury convicted Trump on 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up a $130,000 hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels in the run-up to the 2016 election. Ms Daniels says that they had a sexual encounter in 2006, which the former president denies.

Jurors announced they had reached a verdict in the historic criminal trial at 4.20pm on Thursday, just as Justice Juan Merchan prepared to dismiss them for the day.

Shortly after the verdict was announced Ms Trump shared a picture of herself as a young girl sat on her smiling father’s lap. “I love you dad,” she wrote, with a heart emoji.

The former First Daughter, who also served as a special advisor during Trump’s time in office, posted a heartfelt message to her Instagram on Thursday
The former First Daughter, who also served as a special advisor during Trump’s time in office, posted a heartfelt message to her Instagram on Thursday (@ivankatrump/ Instagram)

Her public display of support for her father comes in stark contrast to Trump’s wife, former First Lady Melania Trump, who has not been seen throughout the six-week trial. She has not yet commented publicly.

The alleged payments were made to keep the affair between Daniels and Trump secret – an affair that happened shortly after Melania gave birth to son Barron.

Stephanie Grisham, who served as White House Press Secretary from 2019 to 2021, told CNN that a reporter’s relentless questions about the whereabouts of Melania “absolutely” perturbs the former president.

Ivanka Trump also served as a special advisor to her father during his administration
Ivanka Trump also served as a special advisor to her father during his administration (Getty Images)

“Oh absolutely I know it bothers him,” Grisham told Erin Burnett on Wednesday. “That kind of thing would bother him if Mrs Trump wasn’t at some event and it was really noted he would definitely bring it up with her.”

Despite the absence of Melania Trump, the former president’s eldest son – Donald Trump Jr – was extremely vocal on Thursday about the verdict.

“Such bulls***,” Trump Jr wrote on X. On Wednesday, he had shared a video with his father from inside the Manhattan courthouse joking about writing mean tweets.

Melania Trump did not appear in court at all throughout her husband’s trial, and has not commented on it publicly
Melania Trump did not appear in court at all throughout her husband’s trial, and has not commented on it publicly (AP)

“Guilty on all counts,” he later added. “The Democrats have succeeded in their years long attempt to turn America into a third-world s******. November 5 is our last chance to save it.”

Trump, the presumptive Republican candidate in the 2024 race, is now the first convicted felon to run for the White House. He maintained his innocence even post-conviction on Thursday.

“I am a very innocent man,” he said, speaking in the hallway of the courthouse after the verdict was read. He railed against the trial calling it “rigged” and “a disgrace”, before saying that the “country was going to hell”.

Trump will return to Manhattan criminal court on July 11th for sentencing.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in