'I like Ivanka': Senator's awkward response to Trump question
A US Senator has stumbled through an answer to an awkward question about Ivanka Trump potentially running against him in 2022.
When appearing on Fox News Sunday, Florida Senator Marco Rubio was asked by host Chris Wallace whether he took Ivanka seriously as a potential opponent in the Republican primary in Florida.
There has been speculation about Ivanka’s future now her father Donald Trump has officially left the White House, with some suggesting she is plotting a political career of her own.
It has been rumoured Ivanka is planning to run as a presidential candidate in the 2024 US election, and getting elected to the Senate could put her on the right path.
Speculation has been rife Ivanka is planning to run against Rubio in the 2022 primary challenge, particularly after she and husband Jared Kushner purchased a home in Miami.
When asked how seriously he would take Ivanka as an opponent, Rubio stammered through his answer, seemingly uncomfortable with the question.
“Well, I, I, I don’t really get into the parlour games of Washington,” he said.
“When you decide to run for re-election in a state like Florida, you have to be prepared for a competitive race, you run it like a competitive race, so that’s what I’m preparing to run, a very competitive race against a tough opponent.
“I don’t own the Senate seat, it doesn’t belong to me. If I want to be back in the US Senate, I have to earn that every six years.”
Wallace again probed Rubio: “And Ivanka Trump. What’s the feeling? The water is fine jump on in?”
“I, I like Ivanka, and we worked very well together on issues, and she’s a US...” he said as he trailed off.
“Look anybody can decide to run if they want to, I mean I’m not entitled to anything... I’ve got to earn my way forward.”
He went on to say he was proud of what he achieved in the past four years and would remain focused on the job until he was up for re-election.
Senator mocked over attempt to hug Ivanka
The question about Ivanka’s political future comes after Rubio was mocked over a viral photo of him attempting to hug the former first daughter in 2017.
In a photo posted to Twitter by then Associated Press reporter Erica Werner, Rubio is seen attempting to greet her at the Capitol while Ivanka appears to not reciprocate the hug.
Ivanka Trump arriving at the Capitol greeted by Sen Rubio. She's now meeting with lawmakers on child tax credit. pic.twitter.com/shhrD9kOnW
— Erica Werner (@ericawerner) June 20, 2017
He was then mercilessly mocked over the awkward moment before he joined in with his own tweets.
Rubio in the past has been a defender of former president Trump and said the second impeachment trial was “stupid” and he would vote to end it at the first opportunity.
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