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Ivanka takes charge of Trump's campaign after Melania 'steps back' from trail to focus on drug crisis instead

The president's daughter embarked on a multi-state tour covering a number of swing states

President Donald Trump's eldest daughter Ivanka was spotted campaigning for her father in the key state of Florida whilst First Lady Melania Trump took a detour from the campaign trail to focus on issues relating to drug addiction. The former Slovenian supermodel flew to New Hampshire — which is considered a key state — to visit a hospital in light of Recovery Month, the Daily Express reported. “In honor of Recovery Month, I will visit New Hampshire today with ONDCP director Carroll to highlight a local hospital’s treatment program for babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS)," Melania tweeted.

Meanwhile, the president's daughter embarked on a multi-state tour covering a number of swing states. "These are states where campaigning is crucial, because voters could be expected to vote either way depending on how they are persuaded in the run-up to an election," according to the Express.

The Daily Mail reported how Ivanka is not the only child campaigning for her father's re-election. Trumps sons Donald Jr and Eric, and daughter-in-law Lara are all set to hit several campaign stops scheduled in the coming days. On the other hand, the first lady appears to have taken a step back from her husband's re-election campaign. She last spoke at the Republican National Convention last month.

In recent weeks, speculation has been rife over the relationship between Melania and her stepdaughter Ivanka. The rumor mill started moving after claims made in a book by Melania's former aide Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, who was fired from her White House position amid controversy regarding funds she allegedly amassed during the president's 2017 inauguration event.

Wolkoff alleges in her book that the first lady and herself once devised a plan called 'Operation Block Ivanka' — in which she claimed they sought to distance the president's daughter from his inauguration. In another instance, the author claims Melania once sent her a text message referring to Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner as "snakes."

Melania, however, has brushed aside Wolkoff's book as "delusional and malicious gossip." "This afternoon I will be hosting a roundtable with some incredible citizens in recovery & the amazing organizations that support them," Melania tweeted September 3 prior to an event. "I encourage the media to focus & report on the nation's drug crisis, not on delusional & malicious gossip."

That said, Ivanka's campaign stop at Florida constituted a meeting with Pam Bondi, the former attorney general for Florida, as well as a visit to a bakery where she once learned how to roll Cuban bread. Meanwhile, Melania highlighted in New Hampshire the nationwide drug crisis and encouraged programs that would pave the "road to recovery."

“September is National Recovery Month, a time to celebrate those who have embraced sobriety and the positive impact of a drug-free life," Melania said during her visit. “Today, I would like to highlight the people and programs that encourage and support the road to recovery for mothers and their innocent newborns.” During her visit, the first lady wore a white face mask for safety reasons.

Opioid addiction and the drug crisis nationwide has been a key focus for Melania, who spearheads the ‘Be Best’ initiative aimed at reducing substance abuse issues and promoting healthy lifestyles for children.