Ivanka Trump suddenly 'had to step out for another meeting' when asked about her father's exercise routine
The White House is hosting a "Sport and Fitness Day" on Wednesday, and Ivanka Trump co-hosted a conference call with reporters on Tuesday to promote the event. As fascinating as the subject at hand was, one reporter took the rare chance to ask Trump questions to inquire about the recent passel of trademarks China and the Philippines have granted to her lifestyle brand. Ninio Fetalvo, a White House official, quickly stepped in to say reporters would have to “refer those questions to the press office,” then moved on.
It wouldn't be hard to make the case that trademarks and potential conflicts of interest and corruption were off-topic, but when another reporter asked Trump later in the call if her father had changed his diet or fitness regimen, as advised by White House physician Ronny Jackson, there was a brief pause before Fetalvo answered: "So Ivanka had to step out for another meeting, but Holli is here to take on the additional questions."
Holli Richmond, the director of the White House Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, referred the question about Trump's exercise and weight loss to the press office, as well as an inquiry about whether first lady Melania Trump would be at the event, which would be her first public appearance since May 10. President Trump will be there to "make remarks and to uplift this collaboration with Health and Human Services," Richmond offered. Other draws will be former professional baseball and football stars, and actor Lou Ferrigno, most famous for playing the Incredible Hulk.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Katespiracy: is the media to blame?
Talking Point Public statement about cancer diagnosis followed weeks of wild speculation and conspiracy theories
By Julia O'Driscoll, The Week UK Published
-
'Restoring life to an ancient watershed'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
Crossword: March 26, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Reddit IPO values social media site at $6.4 billion
Speed Read The company makes its public debut on the New York Stock Exchange
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Housing costs: the root of US economic malaise?
speed read Many voters are troubled by the housing affordability crisis
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Feds cap credit card late fees at $8
speed read The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finalized a rule to save households an estimated $10 billion a year
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Immigration helped the US economy outpace peers
speed read The U.S. economy grew at an annualized rate of 3.2% last quarter
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
4-day workweek gets boost from UK study
Speed Read Following a six-month trial, the majority of participating British companies are still using the truncated schedule
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US sues to block Kroger-Albertsons merger
Speed Read The Federal Trade Commission sued to block the $24.6 billion merger between the grocery giants
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Nvidia sees historic stock rise on AI chips success
Speed Read U.S. chipmaker Nvidia achieved the biggest one-day increase in value of any company in history
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
New York may seize Trump's assets for $450M penalty
Speed Read The former president likely owes $600 million from two civil judgments in New York
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published