Like her father, Ivanka Trump is adept at using social media, although hers is a decidedly less combative approach. By stocking her Instagram with photos of her young family, well-lit photo ops with world leaders, and images of herself and husband Jared Kushner en route to black tie galas, she's clearly trying to present a kinder, gentler, and more glamorous face of the Trump administration.
But it turns out her feed may also have gotten her in trouble with the Office of Government Ethics. Art Net is reporting that the president's daughter and son-in-law did not disclose their art investments when they took on official positions within the Trump administration, despite the Office of Government Ethics requiring that federal employees disclose any collectible, including artwork, worth more than $1,000 dollars.
Based on pieces seen in the background of Instagram photos posted by Ivanka and her namesake brand, Art Net estimates the couple's collection to be worth several million dollars, and to include works by both prominent and emerging artists such as Nate Lowman, Alex Da Corte, and David Ostrowski, among others.
This is hardly the first time ethical concerns have plagued the first family. Questions about conflicts of interest regarding the Trump family business, Ivanka Trump's clothing line, and the Kushner real estate holdings still remain; however, Kushner's lawyer is insisting that the family's art needn't have been disclosed because it is for decorative purposes only and not seen as a financial investment.
"Mr. Kushner and Ms. Trump display their art for decorative purposes and have made only a single sale,” read a lawyer statement issued by the White House to the Art Net. "To avoid any doubt, however, they will report their art collection."
While Kushner and Trump neglected to disclose, other senior members of the Trump administration were revealed to be art buffs through their ethical paperwork. Commerce Secretary Wilber Ross shared that his art collection is worth upwards of $50 million, and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin is a part owner of a Willem de Kooning painting among other works.
As the digital director for Town & Country, Caroline Hallemann covers culture, entertainment, and a range of other subjects
