Ivanka Trump Shares Emotional Reflections on Family

In a rare display of emotion, Ivanka Trump became visibly emotional while discussing the women who significantly influenced her life.

During a lengthy interview, she reflected on her mother and grandmother, prompting a need for tissues. Throughout the discussion, she opened up about her husband, Jared Kushner’s battle with thyroid cancer, and the traumatic experience of witnessing an assassination attempt on her father in Pennsylvania alongside her children.

However, the most poignant moment came when she expressed sadness that her three children, Arabella, Joseph, and Theo, would never meet their grandmother, Ivana Trump.

She also conveyed her gratitude towards her grandmother, Marie Zelnychikova, with whom she currently resides in Florida. Describing her childhood, Ivanka recalled how her grandmother, affectionately known as “Babi,” took care of her and her brothers, Don Jr. and Eric.

“My grandmother cooked every meal,” she reflected. “She’s doing incredibly well.”

After moving to Florida post her father’s first term as president, Ivanka and Jared are raising their children in Miami, where Babi lives with them. Ivanka expressed her appreciation for having Babi around, sharing that she tells stories about their family, including memories of the mother they never got to know.

At one point, she took a pause, visibly trying to hold back tears, when podcast host Stephen Bartlett checked in on her emotional state.

“I love this woman so much,” Ivanka said, clearly moved. She continued, “It’s hard to see her suffering right now.”

Offering a touch of lightness, she added, “Maybe I’ll get you some tissues,” as an aide brought her some.

Talking about her late mother, Ivana, Ivanka described her as “extraordinary” and shared how she was affected by her mother’s death in 2022 at 73, following a fall in her New York home.

“My mother taught me to be intentional with my actions,” she reflected. Apologizing softly, she reminisced about giving a eulogy for her, highlighting their close bond.

She shared a childhood photograph of the two, saying, “She lived a good life… she was very happy.” Losing a parent is tough, especially in the wake of COVID-19, she noted, pointing to how many were deprived of precious time with loved ones during that period.

While Ivanka was in Washington during the pandemic, Ivana remained in New York working during Trump’s first term.

“We’re really keeping her memory alive,” she said about Ivana.

Post-White House, Ivanka opted not to return for a second term, choosing to focus on her children. After leaving Washington, she sought therapy as Jared battled health issues, describing how her life felt chaotic during that time.

Jared, who had silently fought thyroid cancer, underwent surgery for a tumor, a fact he later shared in his memoir.

Further, Ivanka discussed the emotional toll of witnessing an assassination attempt on her father in July 2023. While at Trump Golf Club, she recalled seeing the event unfold on television, noting how frightening it was for her as she worked to shield her children from the distressing moment.

Despite the panic, when she saw her father stand and be surrounded by Secret Service, she felt a sense of relief, believing “it wasn’t his time.”

In a moment of reflection, she shared her struggle to forgive the assassin, acknowledging the difficulty but emphasizing the importance of moving forward.

Trump wrapped up by sharing her life lessons, shaped by profound losses and challenges. “You can’t take things for granted,” she concluded, referring to her mother’s passing and Jared’s cancer battle.

“Life can change in an instant,” she reminded herself and her audience.