In defence of the Trump Kids The kids are not the issue.

The attacks on President Donald Trump children are just silly and serve no meaningful political discourse. The Trump name will be used both to their advantage and disadvantage All this puff and fluff  deflects from the real issues and policies that are taking place: Did Russia have a role in the presidential elections? What about  North Korea,  and what does this new development between Trump and Netanyahu mean for the US Israeli relationship. The lack of cohesive strategy and conflict from various bits of Trumps administration is of real concern as is the blurring of the personal and the politics.
 
To me the danger is not that his children may or be benefiting from the their position as first family in their commercial affairs. The real danger is when the personal becomes part of the political process. His choice of his son in law Jared Kushner as Envoy prime negotiator and influencer in the Israeli Palestinian peace process is a conflict. It raises more than eyebrows but serious questions on impartiality. Jared and his family have been vocal and financial supporters of  illegal settlements on Palestinian land. It may well be that Jared will be able to set aside his personal beliefs but perceptionally  as well as politically it stinks.  The message that came across at the Press conference of Netanyahu and Trump was really a display of total bias. The personal is clouding the poltics.
 
And there lies part of the problem. Trump fails to grasp that most of the reactions by the media to his actions are self inflicted He failed  to understand that perception is as equally important as action and for someone whose oxygen is publicity its quiet surprising.. He failed to disclose his tax returns . He failed to be transparent about distancing himself from his businesses.  Now all this may appear as semantics but perception in politics as well branding is a prominent factor.
 
The attacks on Ivanka, Eric, Donald Jr and Tiffany are unjustified. The  negative press and social media on Tiffany Trumps attendance at designer Philippe Pleins show was mean and uncalled for . Its alleged that no one wanted to sit next to her and photos taken and put on social media show a row of empty chairs as fashion editors declined to sit next to her.  It serves absolutely no political purpose to attack her or Ivankas debacle with her brand supposedly as a political message against their father.
 
The last time I saw Ivanka Trump was when she was about 13 years old. We were in the Dorchester Hotel  attending a charity event. She was even at that young age assured polite and very engaging. You could see the gangly girl was going to grow into a self possessed beauty. Even then she had a quiet assured charisma

I haven't seen her since but I have kept up with her news and what comes very clearly across is still that self assured kind calm young girl I was introduced to years ago by her mother Ivana Trump former wife of President Donald Trump referred to as ‘The Donald’ by his ex.
 
Ivanka has become an accomplished woman, well liked and well thought off. Mother to three young children she has worked hard to establish her brand. Yes I know she was brought up with privilege wealth and the Trump name was an asset I expect to build her brand up. But this former model could have chosen to just enjoy her wealth and status. She chose not to as indeed none of the children have
 
The furor and the media response to her clothing line being dropped by Nordstrom and other stores was interpreted as a response to her fathers policies particularly his travel ban on 7 predominantly Muslim countries. That may or not be the truth. I don’t think it is.
 
Whatever the reason, I felt distaste at the attacks on Ivanka .  But was a gross abuse of power for her fathers  advisor  Kellyanne Conway to go on live TV reprimand the stores and media  and in the process  promote Ivanka's Trump brand crossing an ethical line and mixing the already murky waiters between the families business and the Presidential office. I get the anger at this. Its this mixture of the personal and politics
 
 But what I don’t get  is the backlash at Trump for defending his daughter.. He is father  and parent and no amount of tut tutting by the media et all is going to change that. I actually think his defense and protection of his children is one of his great assets.
 
 Clearly there is going to be an overlap of interest and questions. And there should be. Is it right that the tax payers picks upon the security tab when the kids travel on business trips.  Will business interest sometimes conflict with US policies. These are valid questions. Both Eric and Donald Jr are planning a trip to the UAE to open a golf course and there are already mutterings going on there. However, this was a transaction made some while ago. There is always going to be censure and debate on where do you draw the line .
 
We also need to get real. Even if Trump has legally distanced himself from his commercial empire and been transparent about it, there and will be many persons and companies domestic an international that will try to curry favor with Eric  Trump and Donald jr Ivanka and Tiffany . It’s the way of  the world whether we like it or not. Moreover it will be virtually impossible to discern whether and future dealings are simply on merit of the deal and transaction or because of who they are. All of the children are in an untenable position. They are damned whatever they do.