CLEVELAND, Ohio — She is one of Donald Trump's most trusted executives and political advisers. And in addressing the Republican convention here Tuesday night, Ivanka Trump made a softer appeal, especially towards women voters, saying that her father is a man ahead of his time by addressing inequality.
"American families need relief," she told a packed convention arena. "Policies that allow women with children to thrive should not be novelties they should be the norm."
Ivanka, a working mother of three, said she would keep her father on task focusing on economic equality for women.
"He will fight for equal pay for equal work and I will fight for this too, right alongside of him," Ivanka said to applause.
Trump, who is running against Hillary Clinton, the first female presidential nominee, is polling far behind Clinton among women. Trump is most popular among white men. A recent NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll found that Democratic challenger Hillary Clinton is beating Trump among women 52 to 35 percent.
Central to Clinton's campaign message is equality for women, including equal pay and access to affordable child care.
Ivanka touched on these issues, noting that motherhood is the most discriminating factor among pay discrepancy in the work place.
She said Trump would change that.
“As President, my father will change the labor laws that were put in place during a time in which women were not a significant part of the workforce and will focus on making quality childcare affordable and accessible for all,” she said.
Controversies have surrounded Trump in how he has addressed women. He got into a public, verbal feud with Fox News Host Megyn Kelly, said Republican challenger Carly Fiorina doesn't have the face to be president, said that pregnancy was an "inconvenience" for employers and has been accused of sexual assault.
His eldest daughter dismissed criticism that her father is divisive by predicting that the nation will come together when they see results.
“It’s also a prelude to reaching the goal that unites us all when this party, and better still this country, will know what it’s like to win again,” Ivanka said. “My father values talent. He recognizes real knowledge and skill when he finds it. He is colorblind and gender-neutral. He hires the best person for the job, period."
Ivanka also presented a personal and humanizing introduction of her father as a fighter who will look out for those suffering and struggling.
“Politicians ask to be judged by their promises, not their results. I ask you to judge my father by his results. Judge his values by those he’s instilled in his children. Judge his competency by the towers he’s built, the companies he’s founded and the tens of thousands of jobs he’s created,” she said.
In front of a national audience, Ivanka reinforced her father's assertions that he will fight for an economically struggling middle class in a softer, kinder manner than the candidate himself usually displays.
Without giving a specific example, she said that he believed in people before they believed in themselves, and said Trump would help those in need find jobs or “get them a break.”
“Throughout my entire life, I have witnessed his empathy and generosity towards others, especially those who are suffering; it’s just his way of being in your corner when you’re down,” she said. “My father has not only the strength and ability necessary to be our next president, but also the kindness and compassion that will enable him to be the leader this country needs,” she said.
