Ivanka Trump labeled 'tone-deaf' after she tells unemployed Americans to 'find something new' in ad campaign
The coronavirus pandemic has seen the United States plunge into recession again as millions of Americans registered for unemployment benefits over the past four months. While the month of June saw a slight improvement, nearly all jobs created in the aftermath of the 2008 worldwide recession have been wiped out. Now, Ivanka Trump, daughter of President Donald Trump and White House Senior Advisor, has launched a new campaign asking out-of-work Americans to "find something new".
The initiative launched on July 14 with a virtual roundtable hosted at the White House with Ivanka and business leaders including Apple CEO Tim Cook and there was a reveal of one of the ads, a 30-second spot with a handful of people telling their employment stories. During the launch, Ivanka said, "Now, as a result of Covid, people need to, unfortunately, in some cases learn a completely new skill. But that is also an opportunity to be put on for a new trajectory for themselves and their lives and we want to facilitate that connection back to the workforce and make it as smooth as possible." The campaign’s new website encourages people to get trained on new skills, look for an apprenticeship or go to a vocational school or get an associate’s degree.
The new campaign was immediately slammed on social media with many taking aim at Ivanka's tweet promoting Goya Foods, which is being boycotted by many after the CEO of the Hispanic-owned company, Robert Unanue, praised the president saying, "We are all truly blessed at the same time to have a leader like President Trump, who is a builder and that's what my grandfather did: He came to this country to build, to grow, to prosper."
Many took to social media to criticize Ivanka over the new campaign, reminding her that her current position as the White House Senior Advisor came down to nepotism. A user tweeted, "Princess Nepotista giving job search advice is like a tumor sharing thoughts on healthy living." Another wrote, "Ivanka is right. Become a new corrupt lobbyist. Trump hires them by the boatloads. You can become a lobbyist for oil & gas firms and then be appointed Secretary of Interior, just like David Bernhardt."
Another user pointed out, "She wants people who are unemployed and has been for weeks to get a new trade. WHO in the f**k is going to pay for their training? They certainly can’t, most aren’t even getting their employment checks." A user tweeted, "Start a 'new career' at the bottom. Low entry-level wages, little vacation or paid sick leave, in a PANDEMIC. Not to mention, the president destroyed the economy by ignoring this virus. Ivanka is tone-deaf."
Many responded to Ivanka's tweet promoting Goya Beans, with one writing, "Look, Ivanka is showing all the stupid, lazy, unemployed Americans how to get a new job as a promotional spokesperson for branding. Shhh, just don’t say anything to Willam Barr about using a government position for promoting private products!" Another shared, "Time to Find Something New, Ivanka. Maybe Goya will hire you for an outreach campaign to white Americans." One user joked, "Lol, Ivanka wasn't kidding when she suggested trying new things. She isn't waiting until her father loses in November, she is getting a jump start now. Spokesperson for sinking ship companies. Plenty of experience from within her own family!"