Gold bangle jangle: Conflict of interest in Trump era?

$10,000 gold bracelet worn for Donald Trump's television interview, followed by a message promoting the bangle

$10,000 gold bracelet worn for Donald Trump's television interview, followed the next day by a message promoting the bangle: Ivanka Trump, daughter of the US president-elect, was awash in a mini-scandal Tuesday.

The affair signaled the potential conflicts of interest that could snarl the brash Republican billionaire businessman's transition to power in January as he involves his grown children as advisers.

It started with a "style alert" email sent Monday by Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry to fashion journalists around the world. The message, designed to highlight the upscale brand, featured a gold and diamond bracelet from her company's "Metropolis" collection, with a cost ranging above $10,000.

Eric Trump, Donald Trump Jr, and Ivanka Trump and Donald Trump attend the ground breaking of the Trump International Hotel at the Old Post Office Building in Washington July 23, 2014. PHOTO: REUTERS



The email also had a photo of Ivanka Trump wearing the bangle as she sat with her father and siblings Sunday for the family's first television interview since his Donald Trump's November 8 win. The CBS "60 Minutes" program drew 20 million viewers.

The "style alert" quickly spread on social media, raising a storm of criticism as some saw it as blurring the lines between business and politics as the real-estate tycoon prepares to take office on January 20.

Starting in January, the nuclear codes will be stored in this stylish Ivanka Trump tote, available on Zappos for just $295 pic.twitter.com/PnA2Om1E5D

— Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) November 15, 2016

@sinderbrand @smencimer the press release I got said $10,800! pic.twitter.com/E6eQDjOJEj

— Amanda Hess (@amandahess) November 15, 2016

Me watching so many journalists just now realize @IvankaTrump is using Donald's candidacy / presidency as a marketing channel. pic.twitter.com/4KITyjL3TF

— Shannon Coulter (@shannoncoulter) November 15, 2016

Ivanka Trump's company did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment.

But the head of the Ivanka Trump brand, Abigail Klem, was quoted by The New York Times as saying the "style alert" had been sent by "a well-intentioned marketing employee at one of our companies who was following customary protocol, and who, like many of us, is still making adjustments post-election."

Klem said new policies and procedures were being "proactively" discussed with all of Ivanka Trump's partners. Some social media critics pointed out the irony between the luxury bracelet she wore and the disadvantaged voters who Donald Trump has vowed to represent.

In July, Ivanka Trump raised eyebrows when she plugged a sleeveless sheath dress from her own collection that she wore to the Republican Party's national convention that nominated her father. Immediately after the convention, she sent a Twitter message with a link directing fans who wanted to "shop Ivanka's look" to retailer Macy's website where they could buy the same dress for $138.



Ivanka Trump, who campaigned for her father while continuing to promote her brand on social networks and her image as a woman juggling career and family, is vice president of the Trump Organization, Donald Trump's conglomerate.