Inside Ivanka Trump's trip to South Korea for the Olympics: K-pop, kosher meals, and the closing ceremony
South Korea has rolled out the red carpet for Ivanka Trump, and no one is more delighted than her father, President Trump.
My daughter, Ivanka, just arrived in South Korea. We cannot have a better, or smarter, person representing our country.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 23, 2018
Trump’s eldest daughter is in town for the end of the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang. She will lead the U.S. delegation at Sunday’s closing ceremony, taking over from Vice President Mike Pence, who attended the opening ceremony.
While Pence attended the Winter Games accompanied, as usual, by his wife, Karen Pence, there was no sign of Jared Kushner as Trump landed at Incheon airport with White House press secretary Sarah Sanders in tow.
“We are very, very excited to attend the 2018 Winter Olympic Games to cheer for Team USA and to reaffirm our strong and enduring commitment with the people of the Republic of Korea,” she told reporters upon her arrival, which was broadcast live on South Korean TV. “So thank you for the kind welcome.”
Ivanka Trump is in the South Korean capital to serve as the honorary leader of the U.S. delegation at the Olympic closing ceremony. https://t.co/10w2gNxiu8 pic.twitter.com/Cfr9ncJKJq
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) February 23, 2018
Trump was later the guest of honor at a dinner hosted by South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the presidential Blue House. ABC News reports that the banquet’s menu was tailored to accommodate Trump’s kosher diet, which she adopted upon her conversion to Judaism before her marriage to Kushner. She was also given embroidered red slippers to wear for the meal, during which she is said to have told Moon that her three children love K-pop music.
Ivanka Trump arrives for dinner at South Korea’s presidential Blue House tonight. Everyone had to take off their shoes (per custom) but the hosts had these red embroidered slippers ready for their guest of honor. pic.twitter.com/Wvu7QQXvqM
— Anna Fifield (@annafifield) February 23, 2018
South Korea's Blue House says that Ivanka Trump told President Moon: "I introduced my children to K-pop and they have dance parties every day." Ivanka says her kids are going to learn Korean next and will sing Korean songs to Moon next time they meet. pic.twitter.com/UHCdk9yHTz
— Anna Fifield (@annafifield) February 23, 2018
AOL has reported that South Korea is going the extra mile to impress Trump, who they believe has great influence over her father. Her trip will reportedly include taking in an Olympic skiing competition because of her interest in the sport.
Indeed, Moon took the opportunity at the Friday banquet to praise “President Trump’s strong support for inter-Korean dialogue.”
From pool report from Ivanka Trump banquet dinner Friday night with South Korean President Moon Jae-in: pic.twitter.com/mIjm5fdHvi
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) February 23, 2018
Thank you President Moon and First Lady Kim for your warm hospitality and the very special dinner at the historic Blue House, marking the start of our visit to South Korea. #PyeongChang2018 #WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/eOFYKH755o
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) February 23, 2018
Of course, not everyone was optimistic about the visit.
I can think of 323,101,282 other Americans who would be a better representation of this country than Ivanka Trump.
— Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) February 23, 2018
Ivanka Trump was chosen solely because she's family. It has nothing to do with merit. This sort of thing is common in dictatorships and banana republics. It's sad to see it happen in America. https://t.co/XwxVmDifA5
— Marcel Dirsus (@marceldirsus) February 23, 2018
Why the hell is @IvankaTrump leading the #usolympic team at the closing ceremony? How embarrassing. pic.twitter.com/KEwpWaz2Nk
— Lisa Fittko (@lisafittko) February 23, 2018
Ivanka Trump probably *is* the smartest person Donald knows. So, that’s something to think about, if you needed a good cry.
— VeryStableGenius (@OuterBoroRoyal) February 23, 2018
Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:
Bombshell report says Ivanka Trump may someday run for president
North Korean ‘army of beauties’ rock throwback outfits hand-selected by Kim Jong Un
Is Donald Trump going bald? Viral video exposes harsh reality of hair loss
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