Ivanka Trump discusses produce business in her first major public event of father’s second term

Once a senior adviser with a West Wing office and a broad portfolio, Ivanka Trump emerged for her first major public event of her father’s second term Thursday – this time, as a private citizen representing a private sector company.

Once a senior adviser with a West Wing office and a broad portfolio, Ivanka Trump emerged for her first major public event of her father’s second term Thursday – this time, as a private citizen representing a private sector company. The president’s eldest daughter traveled to Bentonville, Arkansas, where she was interviewed by Arianna Huffington for the Heartland Summit, an annual gathering of business, philanthropy and thought leaders spearheaded by the heirs to the Walmart fortune. During her father’s first term, Trump championed women’s economic empowerment initiatives; now, she’s turned to a new business venture aimed at expanding access to fresh produce. Trump touted Planet Harvest, a Chicago-based fresh produce company she co-founded two years ago – something, a source familiar with her thinking said, is “a passion of hers.” Thursday’s appearance marked the first time she has spoken publicly during her father’s second term after making clear she has no plans to wade back into the political fray. “Her participation in this is about regional private sector innovation,” the source said, as well as “supporting small farmers” and “strengthening access to fresh food and uplifting communities.”