Trump Floats Ivanka For His Cabinet: Why Stop At One Trump Kid?

Donald Trump has suggested that he might put his daughter, Ivanka Trump, in his cabinet if elected president. The question is, would he stop at appointing just one of his children?

Trump’s political career of late has depended on the telegenic qualities of his kids, much more so than is common or, arguably, acceptable for presidential candidates. His convention in Cleveland was unusual for a host of reasons, but not least among them was the conspicuous lack of political allies, for which he made up for by showing off his kids.

Four of Trump’s children gave prime time speeches, leading CNN to suggest that his kids “saved” his convention. They tried to humanize their father and let Americans see a more family-oriented side of Trump, though this somewhat contradicts Trump’s past philosophies on parenting his children: “I mean, I won’t do anything to take care of them. I’ll supply funds and she’ll [his ex-wife] take care of the kids. It’s not like I’m gonna be walking the kids down Central Park.”

Besides his kids, some of Trump’s most memorable convention speakers included Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, whose combined acknowledgements of the nominee could be counted on one hand; Ted Cruz, who ultimately chose not to endorse Trump; and D-list celebrities who wouldn’t typically be invited to a political convention, much less be invited to give a speech at one. It’s very likely that his kids did save his convention from bigger embarrassment.

However, now that Trump has the Republican nomination wrapped up and is campaigning with his vice-presidential nominee, Mike Pence, the makeup of his potential cabinet is one of the more pressing concerns for voters still determining whether they will support Trump or Hillary Clinton. Hopefully Trump has been thinking about potential cabinet picks, but his campaign’s seriousness is in doubt if the only name he is currently prepared to drop in interviews is his daughter Ivanka. I suppose, in theory, she’s as qualified for national office as he is.

Given that Republican leaders in Congress, past Republican administrations, and business are beginning to openly endorse his Democratic rival, while other Republican colleagues routinely criticize and disavow his language and conduct, Trump has few political allies to choose from. If Trump gets elected, his cabinet may be filled with his children.