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July 2, 2024 • 0min
#436 – Ivanka Trump: Politics, Family, Real Estate, Fashion, Music, and Life
Lex Fridman Podcast
Ivanka Trump is a businesswoman, real estate developer, and former senior advisor to the President of the United States. In this wide-ranging conversation, she discusses her background in architecture and fashion, lessons from her parents, her time in the White House, and her current focus on family life. Ivanka provides insights into her approach to business, politics, and personal growth.
#436 – Ivanka Trump: Politics, Family, Real Estate, Fashion, Music, and Life
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Key Takeaways
- Ivanka Trump has had a lifelong passion for architecture and building, seeing skylines as "ensembles of dreams realized"
- She created a successful fashion brand focused on versatile, aspirational clothing for working women
- Her mother, Ivana Trump, was a major influence as a trailblazing businesswoman and athlete who taught Ivanka to enjoy life fully
- Ivanka served as an advisor in the Trump administration, working on issues like paid family leave, childcare, and criminal justice reform
- She has chosen not to be involved in her father's 2024 presidential campaign, prioritizing her young family instead
- Ivanka practices jiu-jitsu with her family and appreciates its physical and philosophical aspects
- She remains hopeful about humanity's future, finding inspiration in nature and good people
Introduction
Ivanka Trump is a businesswoman, real estate developer, and former senior advisor to the President of the United States. In this wide-ranging conversation, she discusses her background in architecture and fashion, lessons from her parents, her time in the White House, and her current focus on family life. Ivanka provides insights into her approach to business, politics, and personal growth.
Topics Discussed
Architecture and Building (10:17)
Ivanka describes her lifelong passion for architecture and building, which began in her youth:
- She would look out at the New York City skyline as a teenager and imagine how she could contribute
- Ivanka sees skylines as "ensembles of dreams realized" - visual representations of ambition and vision
- She appreciates both modern and traditional architectural styles
- Ivanka views architecture as a multidisciplinary field combining art, engineering, and project management
On her philosophy of design and building, Ivanka states: "I think as somebody who's built things, I really believe that the form has to follow the function. Like, there's nothing uglier than a space that is ill conceived."
Fashion Brand and Business Experience (1:09:59)
Ivanka discusses creating her successful fashion brand:
- Started with fine jewelry aimed at self-purchasing women
- Expanded into shoes, clothing, handbags and other categories
- Focused on versatile, aspirational clothing for working women
- Created content around the concept of "Women Who Work"
- The brand grew to hundreds of millions in sales across major retailers
On her approach to product development, Ivanka explains: "I think first and foremost, you have to have the right partner...My shoe partner had founded Nine West, so he really knew what went into making a shoe wearable and comfortable. And then you overlay that with great design."
Influence of Her Mother (38:21)
Ivanka speaks about the major influence of her mother, Ivana Trump:
- Ivana was a trailblazing businesswoman, athlete, and fashion mogul
- She taught Ivanka how to enjoy life fully and live in the moment
- Ivana had courage, conviction, energy and comfort with who she was
- She balanced serious business pursuits with joy and expressiveness
Reflecting on her mother, Ivanka says: "I think because she was this unbelievable, formidable athlete and because of the discipline she had as a child, I think it made her value those moments more as an adult."
Experience in the Trump Administration (1:50:51)
Ivanka discusses her time as an advisor in the Trump administration:
- It was an extraordinary growth experience, exposing her to diverse perspectives
- She worked on issues like the child tax credit, paid family leave, and education
- The child tax credit alone impacted 40 million American families
- Ivanka helped secure pardons and commutations for deserving individuals
- Balancing work and family was especially challenging in this role
On the impact of policies, Ivanka states: "Just the child tax credit alone, 40 million American families got an average of $2,200 each year as a result of the doubling of the child tax credits. That's one component of tax cuts."
Decision Not to Participate in 2024 Campaign (2:42:59)
Ivanka explains her choice not to be involved in her father's 2024 presidential campaign:
- She is prioritizing her young children and private family life
- Ivanka feels politics is an "all in or all out" endeavor
- She served for 4 years and is proud of the administration's accomplishments
- Ivanka believes there are other ways to serve outside of politics
On her decision, Ivanka says: "I know today the cost they would pay for me being all in emotionally, in terms of my absence at such a formative point in their life, and I'm not willing to make them bear that cost."
Jiu-Jitsu Practice (2:59:16)
Ivanka discusses her family's jiu-jitsu practice:
- Started when her daughter wanted to learn self-defense
- The whole family now trains together at Valente Brothers studio
- Appreciates both the physical skills and philosophical aspects
- Her children have embraced the "7-5-3 code" of principles
On the benefits, Ivanka states: "For me there's something really empowering, knowing that I have some basic skills to defend myself. I think it's something as humans, we've kind of gotten away from."
Future Goals and Outlook (3:06:21)
Ivanka shares some items from her "bucket list" and thoughts on the future:
- Climb Mount Kilimanjaro with her children
- See the Northern Lights
- Get her black belt in jiu-jitsu
- Go to space or the moon
- Remains hopeful about humanity's future
On what gives her hope, Ivanka says: "I think I feel a lot of hope when I'm in nature. I feel a lot of hope when I am experiencing people who are good and honest and pure and true and passionate, and that's not an uncommon experience."
Conclusion
This wide-ranging conversation provides insights into Ivanka Trump's background, experiences, and current priorities. From her early passion for architecture to her time in the White House, Ivanka demonstrates a drive to create and contribute in various fields. While she has stepped back from politics to focus on family, she remains engaged in business and personal growth pursuits. Ivanka's reflections on influential figures like her mother and philosophical approaches from jiu-jitsu reveal the values and perspectives shaping her outlook. Despite challenges, she maintains an optimistic view of humanity's potential.