In her first interview since becoming an official White House employee, Ivanka Trump defended herself against criticism that she is “complicit” in her father’s administration, arguing that her motivations for participation are positive.
“If being complicit is wanting to be a force for good and to make a positive impact, then I’m complicit,” Trump told CBS News’ Gayle King.
“I don’t know what it means to be complicit, but I hope time will prove I have done a good job and that my father’s administration is the success I know it will be.”
"I don’t know what it means to be complicit" –@IvankaTrump in an interview with @GayleKing for @CBSThisMorning https://t.co/ruAsy9eK35 pic.twitter.com/yH7P0mMX53
— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) April 4, 2017
Critics have accused Trump and her husband Jared Kushner of complicity in the Trump administration, arguing that they are staying silent on executive orders that may contradict their personal beliefs, like rolling back environmental regulations. A Saturday Night Live skit that went viral in March featured Scarlett Johanssen as Ivanka advertising a new perfume called “Complicit.”
“Complicit,” the skit concludes. “The fragrance for the women who could stop all this. But won’t. Also available in a cologne for Jared [Kushner].”
“I don’t know that the critics who say that of me, if they found themselves in this very unique and unprecedented situation that I am now in, would do any differently than I’m doing,” she said.
Trump also found herself embroiled in criticism after it was reported that she would have a West Wing office, but no official role in the administration. She subsequently announced that she would officially join the federal government as an assistant to the President, and forego any salary.