Ivanka Trump Mocked By Twitter Users While Promoting ‘Skills-Based Hiring’

David Moye

June 26, 2020 at 3:16 PM·3 min read

The White House announced on Friday that it planned to direct the federal government to overhaul its hiring to prioritize a job applicant’s skills over a college degree.

But many Twitter users found the administration’s announcement ironic.

That’s because it was made by presidential adviser Ivanka Trump ― who, not coincidentally, happens to be the daughter of President Donald Trump.

“We are modernizing federal hiring to find candidates with the relevant competencies and knowledge, rather than simply recruiting based on degree requirements,” she told The Associated Press. “We encourage employers everywhere to take a look at their hiring practices and think critically about how initiatives like these can help diversify and strengthen their workforce.”

Today, President @realDonaldTrump will sign an executive order to transform the federal hiring process—and replace one-size-fits-all, degree-based hiring with skills-based hiring.

More from @IvankaTrump: pic.twitter.com/W8xhiyCRBy
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 26, 2020

As you might expect, many Twitter users found Ivanka Trump’s promotion of the initiative ironic as both Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, were basically hired only because of their familial connection to the president.

The snark was fast and furious.

I'm not sure Ivanka Trump is the best spokesperson for "skills-based hiring" https://t.co/a4G5s9dOtC
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 26, 2020

new policy: anyone whose parents had the job can get hired for the job themselves, regardless of qualifications https://t.co/3aPQBeGx3B
— Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) June 26, 2020

Does that mean you all will leave in favor of people with actual intelligence and ability? https://t.co/PVXUrMZtBp
— Hart Hanson (@HartHanson) June 26, 2020

"I'm grandfathered in. Well, fathered." https://t.co/AlariFhNcw
— Norm Wilner (@normwilner) June 26, 2020

If White House hiring were "skills-based" -- this woman wouldn't be within 100 miles of that building. https://t.co/Zl27QZ9xOF
— Jennifer Hayden (@Scout_Finch) June 26, 2020

So is this like a "fill out your own performance review" thing? Because I can't see how much of the current administration—the speaker in this video included—got their role based on skills. https://t.co/RANRuf0PHR
— Neil Kleid (@neilkleid) June 26, 2020

Some people sympathized with the first daughter.

Very awkward when dad asks you to give a pep talk to employees about new skills-based hiring https://t.co/3PVzW9jyJv
— Robyn Urback (@RobynUrback) June 26, 2020

Others wondered if the whole thing was just a big joke.

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They have to be aware of the irony on its face here right? Are they just straight-up trolling at this point? https://t.co/2UDakt04mi
— Gary Whitta (@garywhitta) June 26, 2020

One person had a suggestion for how best to appreciate Ivanka Trump’s announcement.

If you watch with sound off this looks like a nice PR lady from a boutique assisted living facility for the elderly explaining just how happy Grandpa will be here, and why it makes sense to give them all your money now, in case under their care he lives to be a million years old. https://t.co/sRpCaXLAte
— Michael Marshall Smith (@ememess) June 26, 2020

And, yes, someone made a reference to Alanis Morissette’s 1996 hit “Ironic.”