Ivanka Trump’s surprise unannounced visit to a school in Connecticut has prompted some parents to pull their children from class.
The US president’s daughter addressed secondary school students at the Norwalk Early College Academy about the importance of education in the sciences, technology, mathematics, and engineering.
Ms Trump, who serves as an unpaid advisor to her father, said: "To see the passion and enthusiasm for bringing real-life skills into a classroom environment, but then coupling it with real-life experience through internship, creates this really beautiful virtuous angle”.
Ms Trump, who is a former businesswoman and fashion advisor, drew attention to the event on Twitter. She said: “Great visit to Norwalk Early College Academy today with @IBMCEO @GinniRometty.
“PTECH schools equip high school students with skills training in #STEM & Computer Science, enabling them to thrive in our modern economy. It was an honour to meet so many bright and talented students!”
But Ms Trump provoked fierce criticism from those parents who disagree with Donald Trump’s views. They claimed they had received little information about Ms Trump’s visit, perhaps the result of concerns about security.
"This should have been brought to our attention, although I do understand security reasons. I think we should have had the choice to send our child to school or keep them home,” Karey Fitzgerald, a Norwolk parent, told News 12 Connecticut.
Monica Mercuri, an alumna of the academy, condemned Ms Trump’s trip to the school, tweeting: "Hope the diversity of our students and our large immigrant population doesn't scare her away!"
The visit to the school comes just days after Ms Trump was accused of a "conflict of interest" after her fashion brand opened a shop in Trump Tower in downtown New York.
The company's first retail outlet, which sits behind the building's security checkpoint and armed police guards, sells handbags, shoes and jewellery in the lobby of the 58-storey skyscraper which is also the headquarter of The Trump Organisation.
Ivanka Trump merchandise had previously only been sold through wholesale distributors and online but some retailers had gone so far as to stop stocking the brand because sales plunged in the wake of Mr Trump’s electoral victory.
The company recently began selling its wares, including $25 earrings, $34 candles and $298 handbags directly on its website. The shop has raised fresh concerns about the ethics of the Trump family profiting from the president's supporter base.
Ms Trump made more than $5 million (£3.75 million) from her fashion business between January 2016 and March 2017. Nevertheless, she chose to step down from the day-to-day running of the company after her father became president and appointed her as his adviser.
She also transferred her business assets into a trust overseen by relatives including her older brother Donald Trump Jnr but continues to maintain control of the brand.
