Eric Trump defended his father’s comments about what Ivanka Trump should do if she experienced sexual harassment by making his own controversial remarks.
Donald Trump was recently asked what he would think if Ivanka Trump were treated the way Roger Ailes‘ alleged victims were and he said he “would like to think she would find another career or find another company” if she were harassed. On CBS This Morning Charlie Rose asked Eric if his father realizes that perhaps a better answer would be “drawing it to the attention of human resources” or addressing sexual harassment in the workplace another way.
“There is no question that that should obviously be addressed, and it should be addressed strongly,” said Eric. “Hey, listen, we all run a company, my father runs a company, we take this — that is a absolute no-go anywhere, and that’s very much the case.”
“I think what he’s saying is, Ivanka is a strong, powerful woman. She wouldn’t allow herself to be objected to it. And, by the way, you should certainly take it up with human resources, and I think she definitely would. As a strong person, at the same time, I don’t think she would allow herself to be subjected to that,” said Eric. “I think that’s a point he was making, and I think he did so well.”
Social media was quick to react to Eric’s comments, which many saw as victim-blaming and implying that “strong” women are immune to sexual harassment.
Megyn Kelly, who was reportedly part of the harassment case against Ailes, tweeted her response to Eric.
“Sigh,” she wrote, alongside a recap of his comments.
Sigh. https://t.co/dj6rtOa8ta
— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) August 2, 2016
Gretchen Carlson, who sued Ailes for sexual harassment last month, also criticized Eric’s comments.
Sad in 2016 we’re still victim blaming women. Trust me I’m strong. #StandWithGretchen https://t.co/e2GxTaHZLN
— Gretchen Carlson (@GretchenCarlson) August 2, 2016
Eric spent most of the interview speaking about the controversy surrounding his father’s comments about DNC speaker Khizr Khan and his wife, with the anchors pressing him on whether or not anyone in his family stands up to his dad and tells him when he’s wrong and needs to apologize.
Eric said the family was told that campaigning would be “ruthless,” and Rose was quick to say that “Gold Star families are not ruthless.”
Trump’s son said both he and his dad appreciate the Khans’ ultimate sacrifice and said the controversy has been “blown hugely out of proportion.” He added, “It’s not an anti-Muslim message, it’s an anti-terror message.”
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