Ivanka Trump, eldest daughter of President Donald Trump and White House adviser, took to Twitter Monday to celebrate Labor Day. However her choice of message garnered far more admonishment than admiration from the public.
On September 3, Trump posted to her Twitter account:
"Today, on #LaborDay, let’s also recognize the amazing stay-at-home parents across America, who seldom receive the credit they deserve for the invaluable work that they do, as they nurture and raise the next generation of American workers! Thank you!#HappyLaborDay"
It wasn't the first time the First Daughter's message drew criticism for being tone deaf.
Many brought up the fact that staying home with your children became a privilege most families can no longer afford.
When federal labor and housing statistics show working a 40 hour work week at the current federal minimum wage fails to meet average housing costs in every state in the United States, such a message from a White House official takes on a worse light. White House advisers carry an expectation of being familiar with the state of the country and citizens they ultimately work for.
People cited staying home as a privilege of the wealthy, not attainable by the average US worker in 2018.
Others questioned Trump's understanding of what Labor Day is about.
At the end of the 19th century, during the rise of the labor movement's fight for safer working conditions and employee rights, unions and other labor organizations proposed a day to honor workers. According to the official description,
"Labor Day honors the American labor movement and the contributions that workers have made to the strength, prosperity, laws, and well-being of the country."
Many who responded to the Trump tweet felt the First Daughter ill suited to speak to that topic.
While others brought up Ivanka Trump—the now defunct brand name—as in the following tweets.
People took Trump to task for her own long history of hiring cheaper foreign labor for her company instead of paying even minimum wage and providing safe working conditions in the United States.
While others raised an issue Trump vowed to work on while at the White House: paid parental leave.
For many who responded, the tweet just rang hollow. Tweet much about what you believe or support, but where are the results?
In the end, it became just more sound and fury, signifying nothing.
Jane Rosenberg
Jane Rosenberg
@arianagrande/Instagram
@arianagrande/Instagram