With “American Badass” blasting on the speakers, Donald Trump stopped to pat a few backs and shake a few hands, including that of Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy. When he reached Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, he hugged them. Joseph Kushner looked like he was eagerly waiting to say hello to his grandfather, and he appeared dejected when Donald didn’t even glance at him. Ivanka placed her hand on the little boy’s shoulder and watched as her father resumed his schmoozing with supporters.
Now I see what Ivanka was so pissed. Trump blew off his own grandson while he was mugging with B List celebrities and the kid was pretty bummed out. This is who he really is behind the fake show. pic.twitter.com/EGBPAeuLaj
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) March 12, 2024
Ivanka had a smile plastered on her face as Donald left, but it flickered into an annoyed expression as she turned toward Joseph. The downcast tween was staring at the floor, and she seemed to be comforting him.
Users on X, formerly known as Twitter, had plenty to say about the video. “Wow. Can’t believe he ignored his own grandson. But then again. He probably didn’t even know who the kid was,” one critic quipped. “Grandpa has no use for anything that doesn’t enrich him,” another wrote.
The interaction reminded a third person of something the late Ivana Trump once said about her ex-husband’s awkwardness around children. In a 2017 appearance on AM970’s The Answer (via the New York Post), Ivanka’s mom stated, “[Donald] did not know how to speak the children’s language. He was not able to do it until the kids were in university.” Maybe Joseph will get a handshake in about eight years or so.
