Scarlett Johansson Criticizes Ivanka Trump For Being 'Cowardly'

Publish date: 2024-05-20

Speaking at the Women in the World summit in New York City on Thursday, April 6, the Ghost in the Shell actress, who portrayed Trump during a sketch on Saturday Night Live in March, challenged the fashion designer's seeming refusal to publicly speak out against the president's controversial policies and executive orders (such as his abhorrent immigration ban).

While Trump recently told Gayle King that she didn't think it would make her "a more effective advocate to constantly articulate every issue publicly where I disagree," and that she would take more of a behind-the-scenes role assisting her father, Johansson said she was "baffled" by the heiress's role within the White House.

"It was really baffling," the actress shared. "You can’t have it both ways, right? If you take a job as a public advocate, then you must advocate publicly, right?”

Johansson also blasted Trump for acting acting "cowardly" and un-feminist by refusing to stand up for her beliefs (that is, if we're assuming she doesn't agree with her father).

"I thought to myself, 'Well, that’s empowering! How old-fashioned!' This idea that behind a great man is a great woman," Johansson continued. "What about being in front of that person, or next to that person, or standing on your own?"

"It’s such an old-fashioned concept that to be this powerful woman, you can’t appear to be concerned with that someone’s going to think you’re 'bitchy.' I think powerful women often get concerned with this idea that they’re going to be seen in this unforgiving light," she added. "Screw that! It’s so old-fashioned, and so uninspired and actually really cowardly."

Watch her talk below.

Stars Who Protest Trump's Immigration Ban:

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