31 Mar 2017

Ivanka Trump to be assistant to the US president

From Morning Report, 7:28 am on 31 March 2017
Jared Kushner and Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka.

Jared Kushner and Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka. Photo: AFP

Ivanka Trump is officially joining her father's administration as an unpaid employee with the title 'Assistant to the President'.

The last time there was a 'first daughter' was back when Franklin Roosevelt was president.

It comes after objections last week when it was announced Ms Trump would be given a West Wing office and security clearance, without formally joining the administration.

She's been made an unpaid employee to rebuff criticisms about her informal access but that hasn't stopped the criticism as Jay Newton-Small who's the author of 'Broad Influence: How Women Are Changing the Way Washington Works' explains.