When Donald Trump appeared at UFC 302 on Saturday night to thunderous applause, the real headline wasn’t the reception. It was who stood beside him. Ivanka Trump, once dubbed “First Daughter-in-Chief,” was back at her father’s side in full public view, her presence signaling a potentially dramatic shift within Trump’s inner orbit.
According to language and body language expert Judi James, Trump’s estrangement from Elon Musk (who many saw as an informal “heir” in recent months) overlapped with a renewed bond between him and Ivanka.
In what James calls a “conscious uncoupling” from Musk, the former President now appears to be re-centering his daughter in the spotlight she once confidently occupied during his first term.
That shift may mark a tactical recalibration in Trump’s personal and political narrative heading into the rest of his presidency. It may place familiar faces like Ivanka and Jared Kushner back into the media frame, perhaps at the expense of outsider allies like Musk.
Ivanka Trump Returns as ‘Heir’ After Elon Musk’s Exit
Judi James’ analysis for the Irish Star doesn’t mince words: Ivanka is back, and her body language proves it. At the Prudential Center event, Ivanka leaned in for intimate, face-gazing conversations with her father, placing a hand on his back in a subtle power move. “These new photos suggest that Ivanka is back on the scene,” James said.
“She is back sharing Trump’s spotlight and looking yet again like his anointed heir.”
James stresses that Ivanka, who was once sidelined post-White House, had been experimenting with her public persona, going from “rock-chick” to “surfer gal.” However, her reappearance with Trump now leans toward the poised, composed figure who once launched women’s empowerment initiatives and workforce development programs from the West Wing.
Who else is proud of Donald and Elon musk!!
Reply with a👍👍❤! pic.twitter.com/R2J0RKz9rU
— ᴺᵉʷˢ Ivanka Trump 🇺🇸🦅 (@IvankaNews_) May 30, 2025
“There’s no real sign of any pushiness from her here,” said James. “If she has worked her way back onto center stage from the chorus line, her rather unexpressive, poker-faced body language here shows no obvious signs.”
The contrast with Musk is striking. Once touted as a Trump ally and thought leader in tech, Musk’s increasingly erratic political interventions (most recently his feud with the Trump camp on X) have prompted a cooling of relations. Trump’s willingness to reposition Ivanka in Musk’s symbolic place could reflect political expediency and a return to familial comfort zones.
Ivanka’s Recent Social Media Hints and Statements
Parallel to her father’s re-embrace, Ivanka Trump’s own behavior has hinted at a shifting dynamic. In a recent Instagram story, Ivanka reshared a post emphasizing that only “the eight-year-old, full of dreams, and the 80-year-old you, full of memories” should matter in life: a message interpreted as reflecting a possible estrangement or boundary-setting with her dad.
RELATED: Ivanka’s Latest Instagram Post Fuels Rumors of Rift with Dad Donald Trump
Ivanka Trump, who served as senior advisor during Trump’s first term but exited politics in 2022, has been clear about her priorities. At one point, she called the world of politics and governance “dark.”
White House brought Ivanka Trump on as an adviser without consulting Office of Government Ethics, ethics office says https://t.co/DezCR8V9zf pic.twitter.com/X8H4QZ8pex
— CNN (@CNN) May 1, 2017
“I’m most looking forward to just being able to show up for him as a daughter (…) he can be with me and be himself, and just relax,” she told The Skinny Confidential podcast, which means she now places a high value on emotional support over policy influence. That said, appearances matter in the Trump universe, and Ivanka’s high-profile return suggests she’s not merely a backstage daughter anymore.
Though she declared she “hates politics,” the timing of her reemergence amid Donald Trump’s rift with Elon Musk may signal more than just family. It could be a strategy with optics to restore familiarity and unity in the MAGA camp.
