The new book by Michael Wolff sheds light on the evolving dynamics within Donald Trump’s inner circle after his 2020 election loss.
According to the Daily Mail, This publication explores the distancing of Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump from Trump's political activities and their controversies tied to international politics.
After losing the 2020 U.S. presidential election, Donald Trump relocated to Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach. Meanwhile, Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, who had acted as advisers during Trump’s first administration, chose to establish themselves in Miami, far from Palm Beach. This move enabled them to manage their visits to Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence, suggesting a subtle but noticeable distance from Trump’s day-to-day operations.
According to Wolff, this move was strategic; Miami provided a comfortable buffer that discouraged frequent visits. This distancing is highlighted in the book, saying they were positioned "too far from Palm Beach for casual visits to Mar-a-Lago."
While the couple maintained personal relationships with Trump—visiting him and spending summers at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J.—they took a step back from political engagements. Importantly, they decided against participating in Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign, citing family commitments as their reason for staying sidelined.
Ivanka’s role evolved into providing emotional support to her father, focusing on personal and familial interactions rather than political involvement. She expressed looking forward to "just being able to show up for him as a daughter and be there for him," emphasizing casual and relaxing activities.
Amidst the backdrop of controversies, particularly after the October 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel, Kushner and Ivanka faced criticism. Wolff claims they refused to sign a pro-Trump statement defending him against accusations of anti-Semitism, a significant departure from their previously public political stances.
However, Kushner publicly defended Trump’s policies towards the Middle East, emphasizing the administration's achievements. “The biggest piece of what President Trump did during his four years in office was he really strengthened the relationship with Israel,” Kushner stated, noting key diplomatic moves such as relocating the embassy to Jerusalem.
Michael Wolff, known for his provocative writing, has had his methods and facts questioned by various fact-checking bodies and officials. Despite this, he defends his role as a chronicler of contemporary political dramas. “I am not a hit man," Wolff explained, "I'm someone who just found his way into this story and just wanted to tell it clearly and with understanding.”
His book has stirred notable rebuttals from Trump and his affiliates. Trump himself denounced the publication as "fiction," explicitly advising his supporters against its purchase. Meanwhile, White House Communications Director Steven Cheung dismissed Wolff’s integrity, accusing him of lying and lacking morals.
This controversy is engulfing Trump's circle, with officials from Trump's administration, including Counselor to the President Alina Habba and campaign co-manager Chris LaCivita, planning lawsuits against Wolff for his allegations. The legal battles and public disputes suggest a profound impact of Wolff’s work on the perceptions of Trump’s post-presidential period.
