Trump's Awkward Lament Over Ivanka and Tom Brady With Kushner Present
In a revealing excerpt from his new memoir, California Governor Gavin Newsom has detailed an extraordinary encounter with former President Donald Trump aboard Marine One in 2018. The conversation, which occurred during Trump's first term, saw the president express frustration that his daughter Ivanka had missed the opportunity to date legendary NFL quarterback Tom Brady.
The Uncomfortable Helicopter Exchange
According to Newsom's account in 'Young Man in a Hurry: A Memoir of Discovery', published via The Atlantic, the meeting initially focused on California's devastating wildfires. However, the discussion took a personal turn when Trump began lamenting his eldest daughter's romantic history.
Trump reportedly complained that Ivanka had passed up a chance with Brady because of her relationship with 'some schmuck whose father had just got out of prison' - a clear reference to Jared Kushner, who was sitting right beside them during the conversation.
Kushner's Silent Endurance
Newsom described the scene as particularly uncomfortable, noting that Kushner made no attempt to defend himself. 'In front of the governor and future governor of California, Trump was making his son-in-law feel two feet tall,' Newsom wrote. 'And Kushner just let him do it.'
The reference to Kushner's father relates to Charles Kushner, a wealthy real estate magnate who served fourteen months in federal prison for tax evasion, witness tampering, and illegal campaign contributions. Jared Kushner first met Ivanka through mutual friends in 2005, and the couple married in 2009.
The Brady Timeline and Alternative History
Tom Brady's relationship history provides context for Trump's remarks. During the period when Trump claims Ivanka could have dated him, Brady was:
- Dating actress Bridget Moynahan (2004-2006)
- Fathering a son, Jack, with Moynahan in 2006
- Beginning his relationship with supermodel Gisele Bundchen shortly after
- Marrying Bundchen in February 2009
Brady and Bundchen had two children together before divorcing in October 2022. Since then, Brady has been linked with several high-profile women including Kim Kardashian and Irina Shayk.
The Kushner-Trump Family Dynamics
Despite Trump's apparent dissatisfaction with his son-in-law during that Marine One conversation, the Kushner-Trump relationship has endured professionally and personally:
- Ivanka and Jared have been married for nearly seventeen years
- The couple have three children: Arabella Rose (14), Joseph Frederick (12), and Theodore James (9)
- Kushner served as a senior advisor to Trump during his 2017-2021 presidency
- Since Trump's return to office, Kushner has taken an informal advisory role and acted as an intermediary in international negotiations
Newsom's memoir provides a rare glimpse into the complex personal dynamics within Trump's inner circle, revealing how family relationships intersected with political power during his administration.
