CLEVELAND — Ivanka Trump tried to show a compassionate side of her father Thursday night, portraying a man who helps the downtrodden find jobs and pushes for gender equality at his companies.
Introducing Donald Trump before he accepted the Republican presidential nomination in a nearly packed Quicken Loans Arena, Ivanka Trump painted her father as an "honest and real" family man. She touted his ability to bond with any worker at a construction site or bring struggling people to Trump Tower to find them a job.
"Throughout my entire life, I have witnessed his empathy and generosity towards others, especially those who are suffering; it's just his way of being in your corner when you're down," she said. "My father has not only the strength and ability necessary to be our next president, but also the kindness and compassion that will enable him to be the leader this country needs."
In speeches this week, Trump's children have tried to cast him as more compassionate and humble than the bombastic billionaire the public sees.
Since launching his campaign last year, Trump has received criticism for various comments about women. Referencing the way Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly questioned him in a debate, Trump said she had "blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her wherever."
Other media reports have portrayed him as chauvinistic in his professional life. Ivanka Trump, a mother of three, claimed her father has always looked out for women and mothers at his companies.
"At our family's company, there are more female than male executives. Women are paid equally for the work that we do and, when a woman becomes a mother, she is supported, not shut out," Trump said, to loud applause and chants of 'Trump!' from some delegates on the convention floor.
She said her father will fight for equal pay and affordable childcare.