海角大神

With new trademarks, Ivanka Trump's business grows alongside political influence

Despite controversy surrounding her global business empire and position at the White House, first daughter Ivanka Trump continues to enjoy high popularity among voters. But she won't necessarily be the most powerful first daughter to date.

As the leader of an international business and close adviser to the president, some have speculated and raised concerns that Ivanka Trump could become the most powerful first daughter in US history.

Ms. Trump, the founder of a fashion line that bears her name,聽has carefully constructed a global empire that is designed to draw attention. But when mixed with political power her movements and actions have come under increasing scrutiny. Last November, she was taken to task for seemingly promoting her brand by wearing an expensive bracelet from her line during a "60 Minutes" interview. When she earned聽status as an unpaid government employee with an office in the West Wing some critics saw it as a form of nepotism.聽And this week, when China granted her approval for five new trademarks for her line of handbags, jewelry, and spa services, questions of favoritism were raised.聽

But Ms. Trump is far from the first presidential offspring to wield power and influence, both in the administration and beyond in private spheres.

The mixing of politics and business concerned ethical experts and voters alike as President Trump campaigned for the White House, and for many, those worries remain during his first 100 days in office. While Mr. Trump decided to place his business in a blind trust managed by his sons Eric and Donald Trump Jr., Ms. Trump has kept one foot in each camp, serving as an unpaid adviser to the president and head of her established fashion brand.

"[Ivanka Trump's] brand is clearly built on her image: Not just her name, but her face, and what she represents," writes Vanessa Friedman for . "It鈥檚 selling the promise that women who wear her clothes can get a piece of her gold dust 鈥� and now that this gold dust is visible in the corridors (and news conferences) of power, that is only going to be more true."

The timing of the trademark approvals raised suspicions when they came the same day that Ms. Trump and her husband Jared Kushner, another key presidential adviser, shared dinner with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the president鈥檚 Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.聽When asked if any preferential treatment was at play, Chinese officials denied favoring the first daughter鈥檚 business because of her political position.

"We always think highly of the people who are committed to promoting China-US friendship and cooperation, whether they are from the government or society, and we commend their efforts,鈥� Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Lu Kang said. "There are perhaps some media engaging in hyping certain gossip to hint at something undisclosed. I can tell you that they will never succeed.鈥�

Ms. Trump鈥檚 position as a businesswoman, first daughter, and political ally strikes many as a complicated, odd combination. While sales of her products have boomed since the inauguration, some stores have pulled the line amid pressure from buyers threatening to boycott their businesses. Attitudes about her political role are split, as well, with Millennials viewing her mostly unfavorably while overall she enjoys the highest favorability ratings of the Trump team.

Ms. Trump may have more power and influence than any first daughter in recent history, but several adult first children have played serious roles in their parents鈥� administrations that helped to shape US history. Doug Wead, former special assistant to President George H. W. Bush and author of the book 鈥淎ll the Presidents' Children: Triumph and Tragedy in the Lives of America's First Families,鈥� says Ms. Trump鈥檚 position isn鈥檛 necessarily a new phenomenon.

鈥淚t鈥檚 very normal, it鈥檚 very natural. In fact, it鈥檚 inevitable that Ivanka would play an important role,鈥� he tells 海角大神, noting that presidents have turned to their children as competent, loyal sources in the past. 鈥淚t just happens all through history.鈥�

While most prominent first children may not have had offices in the West Wing, many influenced the administrations of their fathers in the background. Some even went on to political careers of their own, such George W. Bush who served as a campaign adviser to George H. W. Bush. Among first daughters, several wielded tremendous influence, although their roles are lesser known to the public.

For instance, Alice Roosevelt, the daughter of Theodore Roosevelt, helped to appeal to younger voters with her rebellious attitude and eventual celebrity status while also unofficially advising her father.聽Anna Roosevelt, the daughter of Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt, played a role in advising her father and later made a name for herself as a journalist and member of Citizen's Advisory Council on the Status of Women under former President John F. Kennedy.聽And Susan Ford, the daughter of Gerald Ford, served as the White House hostess while her mother battled cancer.

As women have gained professional opportunities outside of the home, they may need the prestige of the White House less, Mr. Wead says.

鈥淚 actually see Ivanka as far more accomplished鈥� than past first daughters, he says. 鈥淪he doesn鈥檛 need the White House nearly as much as other adult female figures have needed it in the past.鈥�

Ms. Trump, who enjoys the highest favorability rating among members of the Trump team at 46 percent, according to a Morning Consult/Politico poll earlier this month, has the potential to expand Trump鈥檚 base through both her own role in the White House and respected business reputation. Family members, including first ladies, children, and even grandchildren, have long served as assets to the president, and Ms. Trump鈥檚 popularity might not be so different.

鈥淲hat鈥檚 going on there is a similar phenomenon with Ivanka. It鈥檚 like a blank slate, and you can write what you want on it,鈥� Wead says. 鈥淲hat does she believe and what does she stand for? She doesn鈥檛 have to answer that question. It expands the political base for Trump and that鈥檚 very useful.鈥�

This report contains material from the Associated Press.