Ivanka Trump sees musical about welcoming strangers with Justin Trudeau while her father defends his travel ban
Canadian Prime Minister praised friendship with US during introduction to the musical on Broadway
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.While her father was at a rally in Nashville defending his travel ban, Ivanka Trump met with Justin Trudeau in Broadway to see a play celebrating Canada’s openness to foreigners following the September 11 attacks.
Ms Trump was a guest of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who introduced the play in New York, together with 120 ambassadors from around the world.
The musical Come From Away is set in the small Newfoundland town of Gander, where residents opened their homes to some 7,000 airline passengers diverted there when the US government shut down its airspace following the attack.
Within a few hours, the town was overwhelmed by 38 planeloads of travellers from dozens of countries and religions but locals welcomed them and offered them food and a place to stay.
The first daughter went to see the play while Donald Trump held a rally in Nashville during which he attacked a US court in Hawai for halting what he called a "watered-down version" of his travel ban.
The president told his supporters he would fight the decision in the Supreme Court if necessary.
"We're going to win. We're going to keep our citizens safe. The danger is clear. The law is clear. The need for my executive order is clear,” he said.
Ms Trump’s husband Jared Kushner accompanied the US President to Nashville.
But on the Broadway stage, Mr Trudeau told the audience he was pleased that "the world gets to see what it is to lean on each other and be there for each other through the darkest times”.
Mr Trudeau, who has welcomed 40,000 Syrian refugees, hopes to reaffirm the special friendship between Canada and the US.
“I want to also highlight the example to the world that the close relationship between Canada and the US can showcase.
“There is no relationship quite like the friendship between Canada and the US, the deep ties of economics, of business, of friends, of culture, of people travelling back and forth, of families, of all these connections and this story is very much about that.”
The show told a true story of generosity, compassion and acceptance as the US is in the heat of a debate over immigration and open borders.
After a first defeat over the travel ban, the US President revised the order and dropped Iraq from the list of banned countries. The new ban would not apply to travellers who already have visas.
The show got a standing ovation, including from Ms Trump, who was sat near Mr Trudeau.
UN ambassador Nikki Haley and Mr Trudeau’s wife Sophie Gregoire were also in the audience.
"When do we have the opportunity to share a story about kindness, gratitude and love that takes place in a country that is known for opening their hearts to people. It just meant the world to all of us,” said actor Rodney Hicks.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments