In this binary age, residing under the banner of Trump and being sheltered in his close circle usually removes any chance of being praised.
This is even true of the president himself. While some commentators, like conservative Ben Shapiro, take a Good Trump/Bad Trump approach and review individual situations as they come, others use a broad brush over an entire administration and those connected to it. Such generalizations are neither fair nor appropriate.
Two individuals close to the president, his daughter, Ivanka Trump, and wife, Melania Trump, are not immune to criticism because of their gender. In fact, as females within the Trump circle, they are subject to some of the harshest critiques. In the past week, both of these women have made it clear that they dissent from their father and husband respectively on matters that have received a fair amount of attention.
Last Thursday, Ivanka Trump stated in no uncertain terms that she does not believe the press is the enemy of the people, a talking point repeated regularly by her father.
“I’ve certainly received my fair share of reporting on me personally that I know not to be fully accurate, so I have some sensitivity around why people have concerns and gripe, especially when they’re sort of targeted,” Ivanka Trump said. “But no, I do not feel that the media is the enemy of the people.”
On Saturday, Melania Trump issued a statement of support for LeBron James’ philanthropy and his focus on children one day after her husband ridiculed the athlete and his intelligence on Twitter.
If breaking away from one of the most controversial political figures of all time, who happens to be family, seem extraordinary, that’s because it is. That in and of itself demands a level of respect not usually given to members of the Trump family. In the never-ending clash between the mainstream media complex and the president, it’s too easy to revert to the default setting and side with whoever is closer to you politically or in this case, personally.
Most of all, there is no need for the extreme brand of tribalism that we see before us. You are not required to subscribe to certain beliefs just because that’s the going political theme. It’s important to stand firm when the moment calls for it, even if that demands a view opposite the majority-held opinion.
In addition, the way in which you dissent is of great importance. Both Ivanka and Melania most likely had separate, closed-door discussions with President Trump on these issues. Their publicly shared opinions, while obviously different from the president, do not contain ridicule or exasperation at his off-the-cuff and insulting behavior. In other words, when they could take the high road, they did.
Unfortunately, because of the polarizing nature of political discourse, and because both women openly support Trump in other areas, their individual moments of dissent are not widely appreciated. Those who feel that standing against the president should occur more often within his inner circle are sure to be disappointed. While I routinely differ from Ivanka Trump’s personal and professional political stances, I admire this stand of hers. The same goes for Melania Trump’s words and actions in the shadow of her husband, the president. Her statement is of a more subtle variety, but it’s clear that she wishes to highlight the good work LeBron James has done to contrast her husband’s behavior.
The hatred that a fair amount of individuals on the Left have for these two women is palpable. Neither is an elected official and both are quite limited in how much influence they have on this administration. By publicly objecting to certain attitudes within the Trump White House, and doing so with a measure of grace, they show that civil discourse is possible.
Kimberly Ross (@SouthernKeeks) is contributor to the Washington Examiner’s Beltway Confidential blog and a senior contributor at RedState.com.
