New Book: Trump Pushed Hard to Make Ivanka his VP in 2016

Donald Trump has involved his 3 adult children in much of his political career. All 3 of them, as well as daughter Tiffany, gave speeches during the Republican National Convention. But it has always been clear that Trump places the most faith in his favorite child, Ivanka.

Rick Gates is a former staffer for the president. In a new book, Gates is revealing just how much Trump believes in his daughter. According to the book, Trump pushed hard to make Ivanka his running mate during the 2016 election.

Gates, a protege to Paul Manafort, pleaded guilty to charges of false statements and conspiracy against the United States in February of 2018. While he says that he still supports the president, his book is sure to make some waves.

The former strategist says Trump asked his team, “I think it should be Ivanka. What about Ivanka as my VP? She’s bright, she’s smart, she’s beautiful, and the people would love her!”

Gates claims that while Trump’s team pushed back against the idea of naming the non-politician to be Vice President. Trump, the former adviser says, refused to take other recommendations seriously. Eventually, though, Mike Pence was able to win the future president over.

The former strategist also told the Washington Post that he would be open to a pardon. “I mean, who wouldn’t?” he said. “We have not made any overture. . . . But if I were looking at this objectively, I would say that this started with political intention and that people were caught up in the inquiry in ways that they wouldn’t have been if the inquiry had been done more properly.”