Ivanka Trump, picked by her father to lead the U. S. delegation for the closing ceremony, plunged head first into events at the 2018 Winter Olympics.
PYEONGCHANG, South Korea — Ivanka Trump on Saturday played the role of First Fan as she arrived at the Winter Olympics, while the Trump administration continued to push on the sidelines of the Games for its “maximum pressure” strategy to nudge North Korea to abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile program.
Trump, who was picked by her father President Trump to lead the delegation for the closing ceremony, arrived at the 2018 Winter Olympics Saturday and plunged head first into the Games.
The president on Friday announced a new set of sanctions against North Korea over its nuclear and ballistic missile program.
And Ivanka Trump, who also serves as a senior adviser to the president, in a visit with South Korean President Moon Jae-in reiterated the president’s commitment to a maximum-pressure strategy to push the North to stop developing its nuclear arsenal.
White House press secretary Sarah Sanders, part of the official delegation, said the administration won’t rest until the North gives up its nuclear program.
«I can tell you the president won’t make the mistakes the past administration has, or be soft or weak,” Sanders said.
Ivanka Trump, meanwhile, turned her focus to the Games on Saturday.
She cheered American snowboarder Kyle Mack for his silver medal winning performance in the morning. She caught Team USA capturing an historic gold in men’s curling. In the evening, she took in the men’s and women’s mass start speedskating event.
More: From humiliation to joy, John Shuster perseveres to win USA’s first curling gold
More: 2018 Winter Olympics: USA’s Kyle Mack lands silver in snowboarding big air
She even managed to squeeze in a visit with some Olympians of the past.
Garrett Hines, former medalist in bobsled, jokingly tried to nudge Trump into declaring bobsledding as her favorite sport. Trump laughed and allowed that she’s into exhilarating sports, but the slopes is where her heart is.
“I’ve gotten super into bobsledding these Olympic Games, but I’m kind of a skier,” Trump said. “So skiing maybe number one, but I’m going to go with bobsledding number two.”
Angela Ruggiero, the 1998 Team USA women’s hockey gold medalist, was standing nearby, and chimed in with faux exasperation that her sport deserves some love, too.
“And women’s hockey,” Trump added as she threw an arm around Ruggiero.
In recent history, presidents have mostly leaned on their first ladies, vice presidents or cabinet members to lead delegations. But Trump decided to go with his daughter.
While she might not have the title of some past Olympic delegation leaders, athletes seemed okay with her pick.
«I’m pretty psyched that she came out and got to see what we can do, “ said USA snowboarder Red Gerard, a gold medalist in slopestyle who finished fifth in big air on Saturday. “It’s a pretty fun sport to watch, and it’s definitely cool that she came out to support it.»
Trump also had a lighthearted exchange on social media with Mack following his silver medal performance. After Trump tweeted her congratulations at Mack, the snowboarder responded with a request for a favor: Can I catch a ride back to the states on Air Force One.
“We’re rolling commercial, but you’re welcome sit next to me,” Trump responded. “Or come visit us at the White House.”
Contributing: Rachel Axon
