Ivanka Trump’s big sexual harassment speech in Tokyo was sparsely attended

Ivanka Trump and William F. Hagerty arrive at Narita International Airport

Before Donald Trump flew to Hawaii and then onto Japan for a 12-day Asian tour, Ivanka Trump flew to Japan. She flew out last week, perhaps to “soften the ground” for her father, and perhaps because Ivanka is quite popular in Japan, at least that’s what her press office would have you believe. We’re supposed to believe that Japan adores Princess Complicit and that she was going to be overwhelmed by fanatics wherever she went during this Asian tour. It turned out to be quite different on the ground though.

Attendance was low for Ivanka Trump’s speech on women’s empowerment on Friday in Tokyo, despite her glamorous initial arrival, which included a luxurious dinner (and the media in tow). In what has become something of a pattern for the Trumps, a White House spokesperson had to justify the lackluster crowd size at the event (or “pull a Spicer”), this time saying that security measures had delayed audience members.

For those who did hear her speech to the World Assembly for Women, Trump said that sexual harassment in the workplace “can never be tolerated,” and that “all too often, our workplace culture fails to treat women with appropriate respect.” That statement provoked some outrage, considering that her father, President Donald Trump, was recorded saying about women: “Grab ’em by the p–sy. [When you’re a star] you can do anything.”

Wouldn’t zero tolerance mean that a man who has espoused a gross misunderstanding of consent, and against whom some 12 women have alleged sexual harassment, should be barred from the highest office of the United States? Ivanka’s exploitative, hollow touting of feminism continues to wear thin, even on the other side of the world. A survey last month found that less than 25 percent of the Japanese population believes that President Trump will “do the right thing in world affairs.” Why would Ivanka be any different?

Perhaps the attendance was low due to another area of disconnect between Ivanka’s messaging and her actions: Trump, whose clothing brand has factories in China and Indonesia, addressed her father’s proposed tax changes, which she claimed would “put more money back in the pockets of hardworking Americans.”

Officials moved the crowd several rows forward, so that it would not be obvious how empty the room was for Trump’s speech. Though her spokesperson said that there was a security delay, writers from The Guardian reported that they arrived 10 minutes before the address was to start and saw no lines of people waiting to get inside.

[From Vogue]

Thank you, Japanese people, for not buying what Ivanka is selling. Ivanka giving a lecture on zero tolerance for sexual harassment is… well, cognitive dissonance at its finest.

Also: just in case anyone was wondering, Ivanka was still using her personal email account after she was officially employed by the White House. BUT HER EMAILS. LOCK HER UP.

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Photos courtesy of WENN & Getty.

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97 Responses to “Ivanka Trump’s big sexual harassment speech in Tokyo was sparsely attended”

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  1. damejudi says:

    Her bolt-ons are too big.

    That’s all I’ve got.

    This family is exhausting.

    • Birdix says:

      She’s so ugly and fake inside that it makes her look ugly and fake on the outside too.

      • magnoliarose says:

        Well, she is actually very fake on the outside. 74% plastic and fillers if I had to guesstimate.
        She is a terrible garbage person, and her blathering no longer fools anyone.

    • HH says:

      Ivanka and Melania just want to be fashion plates. They think if I get the outfit right, the rest will fall into place. NOPE. In the crowds that your moving in, intellect is required.

      • Esmom says:

        Ivanka always strikes me as someone who’s playing dress up, playing at being a businesswoman. Melania, I don’t know. She’s more cryptic to me.

      • lightpurple says:

        But Ivanka never gets the outfit right. That pink, flippy skirt is way too short for the event and she risked exposing her bits with every move. That kimono-like thing she is wearing? Her nipples are popping through it.

      • minx says:

        That pink/red/black thing is hideous…what is on the shoulders? And is that a bow on the front?
        The picture of her in sunglasses, grinning and waving to the peasants, makes me stabby.

      • lightpurple says:

        @minx, it appears to be a mock kimono thing with a mock obi belt. And the fabric is thin so her nipples pop through, as they pop through almost everything because she refuses to wear decent undergarments.

      • Who ARE These People? says:

        Y’all said it better, but nothing says female empowerment like ironed hair, a pink suit, and a miniskirt with what looks like functional buttons down the front.

      • HH says:

        @Esmom – Ivanka seems like she’s playing dress up because she wants everyone to believe she’s the woman that has it all while playing into the male gaze: the hot mom and the sexy business woman, who likes to cook and keep her house in order, blah, blah, blah. Melania? Not so much. Melania wants to look and act like money. However, she’s fine being seen and not heard. She’s not trying to convince she’s the traditional super mom. However, being First Lady means she’s had to craft a more substantive image. That’s probably where Melania gets cut a bit more slack. She’s here and crafting this image because she has to, not because she wants to. Ivanka would be trying to sell her image regardless. Now it’s just on 10, but her brain power is still at a 4.

      • Megan says:

        All three outfits are hideous. Ivanka has no taste.

      • Beth says:

        Ivanka must have plenty of clothes to play dress up in since so many stores stopped selling her brand. I don’t know much about the style of what she was selling, but if the clothes she wears are her brand, she should buy another designers clothes to wear, and get some padded bras

      • zinjojo says:

        @HH “Ivanka would be trying to sell her image regardless. Now it’s just on 10, but her brain power is still at a 4.”

        Perfect description of Dotard Barbie! Thanks for the chuckle this morning, HH!

      • Wren says:

        C’mon you guys, she’s learned from Daddy that Image is Everything. It doesn’t matter if things ate unfinished or rotten underneath, it’s the outside facade that matters. Make it spectacular, throw a lot of big words around, hustle and bustle, and nobody will realize there’s really nothing there until you’re long gone with the cash. It’s Bigly’s prime MO, except now the playing field has changed and the same formula isn’t working so well anymore.

      • Arock says:

        They always manage to look like the tonya hardings of political wives

      • FLORC says:

        Melanie had a fair amount of coverage of her backround around her marriage to the fool that puts the POS in POTUS.
        A woman who knew a hard life and would work harder than others to have it easier. Put up with more. Be more dedicated. And she was. The issue was she didn’t know how to pose or get a fun personality in front of the cameras. She was textbook robotic.
        And she got older. Less work. Worked her way up to trumps gf#1. And she’s holding that position. She’s being what he wants. Nothing more or less.
        That’s melania.

      • Milla says:

        Melania is the one who’s more into playing dress up while ivanka is presenting herself as an intellectual. She scares me.

        Also, i apologize for saying about a year ago that she may actually be nice and that she’s not as bad as her father.

      • jwoolman says:

        Minx – I wonder if it was a gift, maybe from Abe’s wife?

    • Beth says:

      Her bolt-ons are too big, and her fake nose is too small

  2. minx says:

    Can’t even think about her ridiculous speech, so…
    WTF is she wearing?!

    • Angela says:

      I agree. Her style has been really horrible lately. Even despite the fact that her speech on this topic is almost as ridiculous as her robotic stepmothers bullying platform, her style is atrocious. Every photo I see, I’m like wtf is she wearing?
      Who dresses her?

      • Belle Epoch says:

        These look like maternity clothes. Maybe she hopes a new baby will keep her out of jail – and revive the Trump image?

    • Neelyo says:

      All three of the outfits pictured are horrible.

      That pink suit makes her look like a Fisher Price little person.

    • Annabelle Bronstein says:

      Why did she think that a super short BUTTON FRONT flared skirt was a good idea to a professional event on a stage? The crowd nearly saw her Duchess Kate

      • lightpurple says:

        A member of our extended family works for the Secret Service, assigned to the White House. There are regular viewings of her Duchess Kate.

      • magnoliarose says:

        @lp
        Are you serious? She’s pulling a Basic Instinct on the daily? Why am I still shocked by her vulgarity even after all the sludge that is pouring out about her now that her facade is shattered?
        Ugh.

      • Christin says:

        Do tell! Does she parade around in skimpy clothing, or just careless around the ‘hired help’ (which I’m sure is how the SS are regarded by this bunch)?

      • Annabelle Bronstein says:

        @lightpurple I suppose I’m not surprised. Far be it from me to judge a marriage (but I’m going to)… well let’s just say she’s screaming out for attention she must not get from Jared.

      • Trashaddict says:

        OMG Annabelle, “Duchess Kate”? I love it. From now on my va-jay-jay is officially a “Duchess”.

      • JustBitchy says:

        @lightpurple-not surprised. And yes i bet she craves more attention / affection from Ms Jared-she chased him really hard. The shirt skirt is an abomination. Is her nose really too small?

  3. Squirrelgirl says:

    I’ve been to Japan and the people there are soooo kind and want to please so much. In my opinion, they have to really hate you to not show up to this.

    • ira says:

      maybe they consider attending ivanka’s speech just a waste of time. they don’t care about ivanka enough to hate her.

    • magnoliarose says:

      I agree with you. I hadn’t thought about that angle, but they put a lot of stock in how they treat guests and take pride in their hospitality. For her to be a public figure and the daughter of the president Wow this says a lot. One of the best things about Japan is the lovely people and how much they love to share their culture with others.
      Now that you said it I wonder if anyone else made that same connection?

    • Trashaddict says:

      If it’s anything like most conferences on women I have actually wanted to attend, we all have been too damn busy working to go.

  4. Nancy says:

    It was said there was a huge vacancy. Not in the crowd, in her empty cranium. Go away.

  5. Beth says:

    I laughed when I saw the pictures that prove nobody gives a shit about princess Ivana. Why did she even go on her Daddys trip in the first place? Maybe after the embarrassment of the almost empty room, she’ll stay home next time

    • Indiana Joanna says:

      She’s there to shill her brand by way of daddy drump laying the groundwork to destroy the world and gain more wealth for himself and the Russian oligarchs. Her brand is more important than anyone or anything in the world.

    • magnoliarose says:

      She won’t stay home. She is just like her father and loves chances to say nothing in front of an audience as long as she gets attention.

  6. swak says:

    If “a White House spokesperson had to justify the lackluster crowd size at the event (or “pull a Spicer”), this time saying that security measures had delayed audience members.” why would you start your speech? Wouldn’t you want everyone to be seated so that the noise of those coming in did not disrupt the speech? Also, I saw a different picture and it looked like at most only 1/3 of the seats were taken.

    • adastraperaspera says:

      They used that same excuse when Trump was here in Nashville doing a rally. More protesters than attendees. Half empty hall.

    • Beth says:

      Lol. It was fun to watch Spicy desperately scramble for fake excuses. “The mean media took the picture before the crowd quickly came pouring in, this was the coffee break, there was a fire drill, these are fake pictures, this was the biggest crowd to witness a speech PERIOD” are some lame things Spicy would probably say as he tried to make excuses for Ivanka

    • Lightpurple says:

      I’m furious that my tax money was wasted on having a White House spokesperson involved in this at all

    • Anne says:

      And how many of those bodies are actually journalists whose jobs it is to cover this “event”?

  7. Jayna says:

    I saw the wide view shot of the venue , and it was hilarious how empty it was.

  8. Electric Tuba says:

    Hell Raiser Barbie can’t melt fast enough.

  9. happyoften says:

    Her staggering lack of self awareness aside (and I really think she sees herself as a femminist and advocate, which is sad) …

    Why does she always look like she is playing dress up?

    • Belle Epoch says:

      She even said something about how she, too, knows what it’s like to juggle work and family. It was grossly offensive. The women who work in her sweatshops cannot afford to live with their children at all, and send them to the grandparents while they slave away. Clueless, tone deaf Bambi face should STFU about knowing what it’s like to be a working woman (see her book). She is her father’s mini-me – like putting lipstick on a pig.

  10. Esmom says:

    “Wouldn’t zero tolerance mean that a man who has espoused a gross misunderstanding of consent, and against whom some 12 women have alleged sexual harassment, should be barred from the highest office of the United States?”

    “Ivanka’s exploitative, hollow touting of feminism continues to wear thin, even on the other side of the world.”

    Go Vogue!

  11. Reef says:

    Ivanka kills me. lololol She’s smiling so hard. You can’t tell me she doesn’t believe she’s FLOTUS and is cementing her legacy.

  12. Maggie says:

    Her qualifications for a job at the White House and for international advocacy didn’t translate into people wanting to hear her thoughts? You don’t say.

  13. Rayne says:

    Does anyone think she could be pregnant? I can’t imagine what else could be up with those outfits. Maybe she thinks a baby will keep her out of jail?!

    • Esmom says:

      The blue outfit looks like something Betty Draper would have worn while pregnant on Mad Men.

      • graymatters says:

        I like the blue outfit. The shoes are odd, and I’m undecided on the collar, but I’d wear it. The others… ugh. Biscuit Barbie and Wallpaper Nightmare strike again.

    • minx says:

      I actually thought that, too.

    • Molly says:

      Totally my thoughts. She’s NEVER worn things this unstructured and baggy before. My guess is she’ll use her pregnancy to get out of her White House job. It’s not nearly as fun as being the princess of her daddy’s company and hobnobbing with the NYC social scene every day. Governing is so HARD and BORING. (Not to mention all this “your husband is probably definitely going to jail” hanging over your head.)

    • Christin says:

      I’ve been counting down to a baby (or divorce) announcement for weeks now. Teddy has aged out of baby photo opp stage, and she needs a Bigly distraction from the impending doom surrounding Daddy and her hubby.

    • Redheadwriter says:

      Definitely. Have thought this for a bit. It’s a perfect “sympathy” ploy for when Kushner is indicted. It’s a great distraction for daddy too.

  14. CharlotteCharlotte says:

    Why is she wearing a sun-faded salmon version of Veruca Salt’s chocolate factory excursion smock?

    Edit: LOL you’re right, Esmom. I meant Veruca.

  15. Amide says:

    😃😄😅😆

  16. Annabelle Bronstein says:

    Does anyone love that the source of all this dirt is Vogue? The subtle shade of the fact that they don’t even care what she is wearing, when that is clearly the one thing she does put time and attention into 😭 10/10, Vogue

    • Jerusha says:

      Vogue, Teen Vogue, Vanity Fair, The New Yorker. Go, go, go, Conde Nast! Love the snark and dirt.

  17. lightpurple says:

    The purpose of Ivanka’s trip was to collect the $50 million bribe for Pay to Play. If a country coughs up a minimum of $50 million to Ivanka’s “fund,” Daddy will make nice with the country’s leader. Abe coughed up the $50 million to her on Friday. Other contributors? China, Saudi Arabia and Arab Emirates. Yes, the “fund” is supposedly up and running but the rules are that the money won’t go directly to any woman entrepreneur but instead will go to agencies that apply for grants to distribute as they see fit.

  18. HK9 says:

    I don’t know how these people don’t choke on their own hypocrisy. Gawd.

  19. La Montagne says:

    Funny she’d choose Japan to talk about sexual harassment in the workplace. They are known to take these accusations pretty seriously and aren’t afraid to publicly shame/fire the culpable, a couple of governors got fired in the late 90’s because of that. Now if she had talked about overworking, or how women are still not treated equally to men when it comes to pays/ family responsibilities, balancing family and professional life, they’d have probably listened since Japan has a lot to catch up. But fortunately they take sexual harassment in the workplace quite seriously

  20. Who ARE These People? says:

    What “security issues” could possibly hold up a line in Japan?

  21. Radley says:

    I’m glad she’s not being taken seriously. There’s no reason she should be. She’s the real empty barrel.

  22. minx says:

    The center part/straight/hair curtain look isn’t flattering to her fake features.

  23. Jerusha says:

    That top photo-she’s really straining her neck muscles. Does it hurt that much to smile when your face is 3/4 plastic?

  24. Shambles says:

    Her face looks thinner. Anxiety killing your appetite, Nagini? Meanwhile her father looks fatter than ever. I guess we all deal with impeding prosecution differently

  25. why? says:

    Ivanka says that there is 0 tolerance for sexual harassment, yet she said nothing when her father said that there was no way he would have groped any of those women because they weren’t attractive enough. If she has 0 tolerance for sexual harassment, then why hasn’t her father been held accountable for groping and harassing women?

    How can she give a speech on empowering women, when she is so complicit with every thing that her father does?

    So these stories about how the Japanese love Ivanka is just another one of those positive stories that Ivanka leaks about herself.

  26. Adrien says:

    The only person in Japan excited to see Trump is the pen-pineapple-apple guy.

  27. Penelope says:

    Cannot even imagine who would go to hear her speak about anything. Seriously, what a joke.

  28. Anastasia says:

    Have she and her father ever discussed this whole sexual harassment thing? Because they seem to have polar opposite views.

    Hypocrites. The lot of ’em.

  29. Littlestar says:

    Wow that pink suit is short, not that I usually care but I can’t imagine the Right/Republicans not giving Michelle Obama sh!t if she did something similar (sleeveless dress anyone?). The hypocrisy from the right when it comes to the left and to a black woman.

  30. Greenie says:

    The Trump White House is the most deluded, tone-deaf, and incompetent one I’ve seen or read about. Decades of fawning and flattery from sycophants must have eaten up whatever perspective or rationality that family ever had.

    Sure, let Melania make anti-bullying her signature campaign even though her husband is a wannabe tyrant who browbeats anyone who criticizes him. And of course, send Ivanka to talk about sexual harassment when her father is Pussy Grabber-in-Chief.

    Do they really not see the hypocrisy? Or if they do and are using these tactics to mitigate the issues, do they honestly believe these transparent moves work on people outside their ravaged support base? The combination of stupidity and brazen snake oil salesmanship is breath-taking.

  31. Liz version 700 says:

    I don’t pretend to be the most intellectual person in the room, but when I want to look serious and professional I don’t wear hot pink mini dresses. I wear pink plenty, but this outfit has an vibe that reads “ aren’t I a cute little girl?” Apart from her general awfulness, she is so so very out of her depth.

    • Ankhel says:

      All it needs to be an outfit from Clueless is a silly hat and knee stockings. Does she really think she’s 17 still?

      And that cheap looking, ugly, fake “kimono” is disrespectful on a state visit to Japan. The kimono is their national costume.

  32. Jaylyn says:

    She’s got a lot of balls. That’s all I got.

  33. Norma Warner says:

    Dotard Barbie best get her fake self home. Someone needs to be with the children when pappy and/or grandpappy gets theyselves caught in Mueller’s net!

  34. spidey says:

    Didn’t anyone tell her the pink suit is totally unsuitable for the occasion.

  35. cathy says:

    Can’t wait until her husband gets indicted….

  36. unmade_bed says:

    My SIL looks and acts just like her. Help! She tore my family apart with whispered lies, then retreated behind multiple, successive pregnancies to play victim, saint, martyr…