Americans can't figure out what Ivanka Trump is doing in India
President Donald Trump occasionally likes to take his clan on his world travels — like that time he brought all of his children (except Barron) and their spouses to visit the British queen. Now Americans, who are footing the bills, are wondering on Twitter what in the world Ivanka Trump is doing on a two-day trip to India — besides tagging along with dad and posing for photos.
It was Donald Trump’s first state visit to India, where he told about 100,000 people at a rally Monday with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi about a $3 billion arms deal with the nation and a developing trade agreement.
The president’s daughter, appointed by her father to be a White House senior adviser despite having no political experience, mostly champions women’s rights and child care — though she has insisted that separated immigrant families and their locked-up children are “not part of my portfolio.”
On Monday she posed in front of the Taj Mahal after traveling to India with her dad and first lady Melania Trump — and husband Jared Kushner, also appointed a White House senior adviser by his father-in-law.
The first daughter was criticized just last week by Walter Shaub, the former head of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, for what he characterized as a taxpayer-funded “corporate” junket to Dubai on what happened to be the third anniversary of the Trump International Golf Club Dubai.
India is home to the most Trump-branded real estate ventures outside of North America — including four luxury high-rises and an office tower, notes The Washington Post. Unlike other presidents, Trump — and his family — did not divest from his businesses when he moved into the White House.
One of Trump’s business partners in India is facing a financial crunch, while another has been accused of massive fraud. Both are closely linked to India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, headed by Modi. A first family visit could boost their bottom line.
But what U.S. national interests are being served by Ivanka Trump’s visit confused many. After the first daughter declared the Taj Mahal “awe inspiring” in a tweet — and Instagram with Jared — scads of people responded: “What are you doing there?”
Alyssa Mastromonaco, former White House deputy chief of staff for operations in the Obama administration, cracked: “Why am I paying for their 2nd honeymoon omfg.”
why am I paying for their 2nd honeymoon omfg pic.twitter.com/ni2XOTl9i7
— alyssa GrudgePAC mastromonaco (@AlyssaMastro44) February 24, 2020
What is it you do exactly that warrants free travel?
— Crutnacker (@Crutnacker) February 24, 2020
Another vacation on tax payer money. What are you scouting a new hotel or slave labor?
— 864511032020 (@SuziWhann) February 24, 2020
On the taxpayers dime.
Does she spend much time with her kids? Hear cats in the cradle playing.🤔— GINA🌊 (@Gina660) February 24, 2020
Why are taxpayers paying for your vacation?
— Helen Kennedy (@HelenKennedy) February 24, 2020
Hey Ivanka, Another FREE VACATION for YOU on the American Taxpayer? pic.twitter.com/poUz8wcwRp
— BLIP (@blackhat_1) February 25, 2020
I see our tax dollars are being spent oh so frivolously. #GrifterBarbie
— Helen - “I’m Speaking” (@luvtheusa76) February 24, 2020
WHY ARE YOU THERE???????
— LuLu boom boom Roche (@LuLuRoche) February 24, 2020
Oh look, another free trip for #NepotismBarbie! So glad that we the taxpayers are helping you see the world and make business deals to fatten your pocketbook!
— Donna Pawlowski (@Donnalee711) February 24, 2020
Why are you even there?
— Kerry 🗳️12 DAYS TIL ELECTION DAY - VOTE! 🗳️ (@jskj9121) February 24, 2020
This article originally appeared on HuffPost.