Donald Trump’s niece, Mary Trump, has made some eyebrow-raising claims about her uncle’s relationship with his eldest daughter, Ivanka Trump, describing his attachment to her as “very odd” and “off-putting.”
The clinical psychologist, author, and political commentator, who is the daughter of the president’s late older brother, Fred Trump Jr., made the comments during an appearance on The Rest Is Politics podcast with Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart, which aired on October 18th.
Mary discussed several subjects during the podcast, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and her uncle’s upbringing. However, it was her recollections of his relationship with Ivanka, whom he shares with late ex-wife Ivana Trump, that really stood out. Keep reading to find out what she said…
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Mary Trump Claims Her Uncle Had A 'Very Odd Attachment' To Ivanka
Mary claimed that her uncle was largely detached from his children, including Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, Ivanka Trump, and Tiffany Trump. However, she suggested that his relationship with Ivanka was noticeably different as she grew older.
"He was an entirely hands-off father. He had no real interest in his children," she claimed. "When Ivanka got older, he had this very odd attachment to her, but I can't exactly say that it was like paternal. It was just a weird fixation," she continued.
"Like she was constantly sitting on his lap. And I don't know. I can't really explain it, but I found it odd and off-putting," Mary alleged.
Mary, who has been an outspoken critic of her uncle for years, was describing her own experiences of family gatherings, rather than alleging any specific misconduct. She also acknowledged that she mainly saw her cousins during occasions such as Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Mary Trump Opens Up About Her Uncle's Childhood And Relationship With His Father
Mary also suggested that her uncle's reportedly detached approach to parenting may have stemmed from his own upbringing and his relationship with his father, Fred Trump Sr.
During the podcast, she claimed that Fred Sr. viewed kindness and sensitivity as weaknesses, and that he "systematically" broke down her father, Fred Jr., who struggled with alcoholism and died at the age of 42 in 1981.
"The lesson he learned was do not be anything like Freddy," Mary said of the POTUS. "Do not be kind. Do not be empathetic. Do not be sensitive."
Donald Trump's Previous Controversial Comments About Ivanka Resurface
Mary's latest claims about her uncle's relationship with Ivanka have naturally caused the controversial comments the president himself has made about his eldest daughter over the years to resurface.
During a 2006 appearance on The View, Trump was asked how he would feel about a hypothetical situation involving Ivanka posing for Playboy magazine. He infamously replied: "I've said if Ivanka weren't my daughter, perhaps I'd be dating her."
At the time, Trump spokesperson Jim Dowd told The Associated Press that he was "absolutely joking," explaining that the comment was intended to poke fun at his tendency to date younger women. And that wasn't the only time Trump made headlines for his remarks about Ivanka…
During a 2013 appearance on The Wendy Williams Show, the father-daughter duo were asked what they had most in common. Ivanka answered, "either real estate or golf," while her father jokingly responded: "Well, I was going to say sex, but I can't relate that to her."
During a September 2015 interview with Rolling Stone, Trump made another eyebrow-raising comment about Ivanka after journalist Paul Solotaroff complimented her appearance.
"Yeah, she's really something, and what a beauty, that one," he reportedly replied, before adding: "If I weren't happily married and, ya know, her father..."
