- President Donald Trump used to “jab” his children with a pole during family ski trips in order to get ahead of them as they raced down the mountain, according to a new report that documents the budding political rivalry among the Trump children.
- Trump sought to cultivate a competitive, ruthless mentality among his children as they grew up.
- Donald Trump Jr., 41, who was once viewed as a liability, is beginning to elbow his way in front of his younger sister Ivanka Trump, according to the report.
- Though Ivanka, 37, serves in the Trump administration and has long had her father’s favor, Trump Jr. has emerged as a natural representative for the president along the campaign trail.
- Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.
President Donald Trump cultivated a “Darwinian dynamic” within his family as his children grew up, which at times involved poking his children with a pole to get ahead of them as they raced down the mountain on family ski trips, according to a lengthy report in The Atlantic.
141 PHOTOSIvanka Trump's style transformationSee GalleryIvanka Trump's style transformation
Ivanka Trump and Donald Trump at the Plaza Hotel in New York City, New York (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)
Ivana Trump and daughter Ivanka with Mme Hirsch and son – Chanel Haute Couture fashion show collection fall winter 1992-1993. (Photo by Bertrand Rindoff Petroff/Getty Images)
Ivana Trump and daughter Ivanka – Chanel Haute Couture fashion show collection fall winter 1992-1993. (Photo by Bertrand Rindoff Petroff/Getty Images)
Donald Trump and Ivanka Trump (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)
NEW YORK CITY – OCTOBER 26:Ivanka Trump and Ivana Trump attend Warner Bros. Studio Store Grand Opening on October 26, 1993 in New York City. (Photo by Ron Galella/WireImage)
NEW YORK CITY – DECEMBER 14:(L-R) Ivana Trump, Eric Trump and Ivanka Trump attend United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots Benefit Gala on December 14, 1993 at Trump Tower in New York City. (Photo by Ron Galella/WireImage)
PALM BEACH, FL – MARCH 23:Ivanka Trump and Ivana Trump attend Hiram Walker Spirit Awards Honoring Ivana Trump on March 23, 1994 at Mar A Lago in Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Ron Galella/WireImage)
Ivana Trump and Ivanka Trump (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)
Ivana Trump, Ivanka Trump, and Riccardo Mazzucchelli (Photo by Ron Galella/WireImage)
Ivanka Trump and Ivana Trump during Fashion Week Fashions by Ralph Lauren – April 5, 1995 at Bryant Park in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)
NEW YORK CITY – OCTOBER 28:Donald Trump and Ivanka Trump attend Sixth On Seventh ‘Versus by Versace’ Spring Collection Fashion Show on October 28, 1995 at Bryant Park in New York City. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage) 
IVANKA TRUMP IN NEW YORK CITY (Photo by Lawrence Schwartzwald/Sygma via Getty Images)
Ivanka Trump during Donald Trump 50th Birthday Party at Trump Tower in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Ron Galella/WireImage)
Fashion model Ivanka Trump models a red dress for Marc Bouwer’s fall fashion show. (Photo by Mitchell Gerber/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images)
NEW YORK CITY – DECEMBER 2:Ivanka Trump sighted on December 2,1997 on Madison Avenue in New York City. (Photo by Ron Galella/WireImage)
Ivanka Trump during Valentine’s Day And Birthday Party For Ivanka Trump at Chaos in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Ron Galella/WireImage)
NEW YORK CITY – FEBRUARY 26:Ivanka Trump attends Sony Music After Party for 40th Annual Grammy Awards on February 26, 1998 at the Manhattan Center in New York City. (Photo by Ron Galella/WireImage)
Ivanka Trump during ‘The Man In The Iron Mask’ New York Premiere at Ziegfeld Theater in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Ron Galella/WireImage)
MONACO – AUGUST 07:Ivanka Trump In Monaco on August 07, 1998.(Photo by Alain BENAINOUS/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)
(Original Caption) : 3/30/1998-New York, NY: Ivanka Trump wearing a metallic strapless dress at the Marc Bouwer Fall ’98 Fashion Show at Bryant Park. (Photo by Mitchell Gerber/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images)
346727 11: Ivanka Trump poses February 17, 1999 during the Marc Bouwer 1999 Fall Fashion Show in New York City. Fashion designer Marc Bauwer has chosen an outer space theme for this show which is evident in many of the colors and cut outs in the dresses. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Liaison)
NEW YORK CITY – MAY 1:Ivanka Trump attends Second Annual Ivana Trump Auction Benefit on May 1, 2000 at Lucky Chang’s in New York City. (Photo by Ron Galella/WireImage)
NEW YORK CITY – SEPTEMBER 13:Ivanka Trump attends Zang Toi Fashion Show on September 13, 1999 at Bryant Park in New York City. (Photo by Ron Galella/WireImage)
NEW YORK CITY, NY – MARCH 21: Ivanka Trump and Maggie Katz attend VERSACE & VOGUE Host Young Friends of Save Venice Exclusive Preview of The VERSACE 2007 Spring/Summer Collection at VERSACE Store 5th Avenue on March 21, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by DAVID X PRUTTING/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
(Original Caption) Ivana Trump and her daughter Ivanka. (Photo by Stephane Cardinale/Sygma via Getty Images)
NEW YORK CITY, NY – FEBRUARY 7: Ivanka Trump attends SALVATORE FERRAGAMO’s Contemporary Art Show ‘WATER’ benefiting RIVERKEEPER at Salvatore Ferragamo on February 7, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Billy Farrell/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
403603 26: Model Ivanka Trump arrives at the premiere of ‘The Sweetest Thing’ April 8, 2002 in New York City. (Photo by Lawrence Lucier/Getty Images)
Ivanka Trump during 25th Anniversary Party for Studio 54 at Studio 54 in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Ron Galella/WireImage)
– JUNE 27: Ivanka Trump attends Charlize Theron Hosts the Grand Opening of Social Hollywood at Social Hollywood on June 27, 2006. (Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
NEW YORK – JUNE 23:Ivanka Trump, wearing a Christian Dior gown, poses for a portrait June 23, 2002 in New York City.(Photo by Richard Greene/Getty Images)
NEW YORK – JUNE 23:Ivanka Trump, wearing a Douglas Hannant gown, poses for a portrait June 23, 2002 in New York City.(Photo by Richard Greene/Getty Images)
NEW YORK – JUNE 23:Ivanka Trump, wearing a Carolina Herrera gown, poses for a portrait June 23, 2002 in New York City.(Photo by Richard Greene/Getty Images)
Ivana Trump with daughter Ivanka Trump during Red Cross Ball 2002 – Arrivals / Bal de la Croix Rouge 2002 – Arrivals at Monte-Carlo Sporting Club in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Tony Barson/WireImage)
Ivanka Trump during 2002 New York Fashion Week – Moet & Chandon Presents Behnaz Sarafpour Fashion Show at Industria Superstudio in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Djamilla Rosa Cochran/WireImage)
Ivanka Trump arriving at the ‘Born Rich’ screening during the 2003 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. January 19, 2003. Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images
Ivanka TrumpThe ‘Born Rich’ cast and crew enjoyed a TURI Vodka Post-Premiere Party at Buona Vita restaurant on Main Street, the main drag for the Sundance Film Festival.Director and producer Jamie Johnson was there with his parents and sister Jazz, whom together with subjects Ivanka Trump and Samantha Buffett enjoyed TURI cocktails and a seated dinner. (Photo by A. Nevader/WireImage)
Ivanka Trump during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2003 Collections – Lloyd Klein – Front Row at Bryant Park in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by J. Vespa/WireImage)
NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER OUT)Socialite Ivanka Trump attends the premiere of HBO’s ‘Born Rich’ at The Screening Room, October 15, 2003 in New York City.(Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images)
Ivanka Trump during ‘The Apprentice’ Finale Party at Trump Tower in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Robin Platzer/FilmMagic)
Ivanka Trump during 2004 Costume Institute Gala ‘Dangerous Liaisons’ – Arrivals at Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Ron Galella/WireImage)
Ivanka Trump during Dennis Basso Fashion Show – Fall 2004 – Arrivals at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage)
NEW YORK – AUGUST 5:Model Ivanka Trump attends a Grand Classics screening of ‘Dr. Strangelove’ hosted by The Week magazine on August 5, 2004 in New York City. (Photo by Peter Kramer/Getty Images)
Ivanka Trump during Hugo Boss Spring Summer 2005 Collection Launch at 601 West 26th Street in New York, NY, United States. (Photo by Lawrence Lucier/FilmMagic)
Ivanka Trump during Olympus Fashion Week Spring 2005 – Behnaz Sarafpour – Front Row at Tiffany & Co. in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Djamilla Rosa Cochran/WireImage)
Ivanka Trump during The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Dinner at Skylight Studios in New York, New York, United States. (Photo by Sylvain Gaboury/FilmMagic)
Ivanka Trump (Photo by James Devaney/WireImage)
NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 17:Socialite and event co-chair Ivanka Trump attends The Musuem of Natural History’s Winter Dance Benefit ‘Celebrating Heavenly Bodies of the Universe’ at the Rose Center for Earth and Space on February 17, 2005 in New York City. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images)
Ivanka Trump during Chanel Costume Institute Gala Opening at the Metropolitan Museum of Art – Arrivals at Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Lawrence Lucier/FilmMagic)
Ivanka Trump during Opening night reception for ‘Veranda: New York’s Best’ at Trump Park Avenue in New York, New York, United States. (Photo by Sylvain Gaboury/FilmMagic)
Ivanka Trump during ‘The Apprentice’ Season 3 Finale – After Party at Planet Hollywood in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/WireImage)
Ivanka Trump during Entertainment Weekly’s ‘Must List’ Party – Arrivals at Deep in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/WireImage for Dan Klores Communications)
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 19: Ivanka Trump attends Museum of the City of New York 2005 Director’s Council Summer Party at Museum of the City of New York on September 19, 2005 in New York City. (Photo by Patrick McMullan/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
Ivanka Trump during Celebrating 75 years of the Whitney: Defining the New in American Art at Whitney Museum of Art in New York, New York, United States. (Photo by Sylvain Gaboury/FilmMagic)
NEW YORK – OCTOBER 23:(ITALY OUT, NY DAILY NEWS OUT, NY NEWSDAY OUT)Model Ivanka Trump walks to Nello’s to have dinner with her mother, Ivana Trump, October 23, 2005 in New York City.(Photo by Arnaldo Magnani/Getty Images)
Ivanka Trump wearing Chanel during Chanel Celebrates Its Elements Celestes Fine Jewelry Exhibition at 9 W. 57th Street in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Shawn Ehlers/WireImage for CHANEL)
Ivanka Trump during Fashion Group International Presents The 22nd Annual Night of Stars Honoring ‘The Romantics’ – Inside at Cipriani in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage)
NEW YORK – OCTOBER 26:Ivanka Trump attends the 17th Annual Women of the Year Luncheon at The Pierre October 26, 2005 in New York City.(Photo by Paul Hawthorne/Getty Images)
Ivanka Trump during ‘The Apprentice 4’ Finale After Party – Red Carpet at Planet Hollywood in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Carley Margolis/FilmMagic)
Ivanka Trump during The Cinema Society and Vogue Present ‘The Family Stone’ Hosted by Sarah Jessica Parker and Oscar de la Renta at The Tribeca Grand in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/WireImage)
Ivanka Trump (Photo by Djamilla Rosa Cochran/WireImage)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 15: Ivanka Trump attends InStyle & WARNER BROS. Post GOLDEN GLOBE PARTY at Oasis Court at The Beverly Hilton on January 15, 2007 in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Clint Spaulding/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 06:Socialite Ivanka Trump attends the Carolina Herrera Fall 2006 fashion show during Olympus Fashion Week at Bryant Park February 6, 2006 in New York City.(Photo by Peter Kramer/Getty Images)
Ivanka Trump during Versace Celebrates The Re-Opening of the Fifth Avenue Boutique at Versace Boutique in New York, NY, United States. (Photo by Lawrence Lucier/FilmMagic)
NEW YORK – APRIL 04:Ivanka Trump attends an auction of photographer Francesco Scavullo’s work benefiting Fountain House at Sotheby’s April 4, 2006 in New York City.(Photo by Paul Hawthorne/Getty Images)
MARCH 5: Ivanka Trump attends Academy Awards viewing party at Elaine’s at Elaine’s NYC USA on March 5, 2006. (Photo by Chance Yeh /Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO — Episode 3119– Pictured: (l-r) Model Ivanka Trump during an interview with host Jay Leno on April 7, 2006 — (Photo by: Dave Bjerke/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
Ivanka Trump during ‘AngloMania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion,’ an exhibitionat The Metropolitan Museum of Art, May 3 – September 4, 2006 in New York City, New York. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/FilmMagic)
– AUGUST 23: Ivanka Trump attends Trump And Nakheel Introduce Trump Tower Dubai at Bel Air on August 23, 2008 in California. (Photo by ANDREAS BRANCH/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
Ivanka Trump at the Cafe Gray in New York City, New York (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/WireImage)
Ivanka Trump during Entertainment Weekly’s 4th Annual Pre-Emmy Party at Republic in West Hollywood, California, United States. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic)
NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 20: Donald and Ivanka Trump pose at the Trump Magazine celebration on September 20, 2006 in New York City. (Photo by Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images)
Ivanka Trump during Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum’s Young Collectors Council 2006 Artists Ball Sponsored By Giorgio Armani at Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Lawrence Lucier/FilmMagic)
NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 28:Ivanka Trump attends The Cinema Society screening of ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’ sponsored by David Yurman and Vanity Fair at the Tribeca Grand Hotel on November 28, 2006 in New York City.(Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Ivanka Trump during Conde Nast Traveler 19th Annual Readers Choice Awards at American Museum of Natural History in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage for Conde Nast Traveler)
Ivanka Trump attends the Annual Winter Dance at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. (Photo by Steve Azzara/Corbis via Getty Images)
Ivanka Trump during ‘Poiret: King of Fashion’ Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art – Arrivals at Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Lawrence Lucier/FilmMagic)
NEW YORK – AUGUST 14: Ivanka Trump attends the Stuff Magazine preview of their September fall fashion issue on August 14, 2007 in New York City. Trump appears on the cover of the issue.(Photo by Peter Kramer/Getty Images)
NEW YORK – JUNE 27:Socialite and television personality Ivanka Trump hosts a summer kick-off party at Sushi Samba 7, June 27, 2007 in New York City.(Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images)
NEW YORK CITY, NY – FEBRUARY 5: Ivanka Trump attends ASMALLWORLD Valentine’s Day Shopping Event at Ivanka Trump Boutique on February 5, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by MATT CARASELLA/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
Ivanka Trump attends ‘Revolver’ screening hosted by The Cinema Society and Piaget at Tribeca Grand Screening Room on December 2, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/FilmMagic)
NEW YORK CITY, NY – MARCH 13: Ivanka Trump (in Elie Saab and Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry) attends The Young Fellows of The Frick Collection, with ELIE SAAB and IVANKA TRUMP Fine Jewelry present a gala ‘Un Ballo in Maschera’ at The Frick Collection on March 13, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by DAVID X PRUTTING/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
NEW YORK – MAY 08:Ivanka Trump attends the ‘Flamenco Blanco’ Pronovias Flagship Store Opening at Pronovias on May 8, 2008 in New York City.(Photo by Jason Kempin/WireImage)
Ivanka Trump attends the ‘The Celebrity Apprentice’ Finale hosted by Donald Trump on March 27, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Steve Mack/FilmMagic)
NEW YORK CITY, NY – APRIL 7: Ivanka Trump attends N.Y. Special Screening of ERROL MORRIS,’ STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE, a SONY PICTURES CLASSIC and PARTICIPATING MEDIA FILM at Museum of Modern Art on April 7, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by JIMI CELESTE/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 23: Ivanka Trum and p arrives at The Trump International Hotel & Tower Dubai on August 23, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)*** Local Caption ***
Ivanka Trump attends the unveiling of Royal Chie’s ‘Mosaique de Chie – Eco Harmony’ Luxury Fur Collection at Geisha on October 28, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/WireImage)
NEW YORK – MAY 18:Ivanka Trump attends the 69th Annual American Ballet Theatre Spring Gala at The Metropolitan Opera House on May 18, 2009 in New York City.(Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)
NEW YORK – MAY 04:Ivanka Trump attends ‘The Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion’ Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 4, 2009 in New York City.(Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
NEW YORK – OCTOBER 14:Ivanka Trump promotes ‘The Trump Card: Playing To Win In Work And Life’ at Barnes & Noble 5th Avenue on October 14, 2009 in New York City.(Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
BEDMINSTER, NJ – OCTOBER, 25:In this handout image provided by Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, Ivanka Trump (R) and Jared Kushner (L) attend their wedding at Trump National Golf Club on October 25, 2009 in Bedminster, New Jersey. (Photo Brian Marcus/Fred Marcus Photography via Getty Images) 
NEW YORK – JUNE 27:Ivanka Trump attends the 2010 Veuve Clicquot Manhattan Polo Classic on Governors Island on June 27, 2010 in New York City.(Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)
Ivanka Trumpattends ‘The Celebrity Apprentice’ Season 3 finale after party at the Trump SoHo on May 23, 2010 in New York City.
NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 30:Ivanka Trump attends the 24th Annual Footwear News Achievement Awards at The Museum of Modern Art on November 30, 2010 in New York City.(Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images)
Socialite Ivanka Trump attends the launch of Ivanka Trump footwear at Macy’s Herald Square on March 17, 2011 in New York City.
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 20:Ivanka Trump attends the 2011 New Yorkers for Children Fall Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on September 20, 2011 in New York City.(Photo by Paul Zimmerman/WireImage)
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 05:Ivanka Trump attends the Ivanka Trump footwear collection fall 2011 launch at Bloomingdale’s 59th Street Store on October 5, 2011 in New York City.(Photo by John Lamparski/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 29:Ivanka Trump visits ‘FOX & Friends’ at FOX Studios on November 29, 2011 in New York City.(Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 18: (ITALY OUT, NY DAILY NEWS OUT, NY NEWSDAY OUT)Ivanka Trump sighting at Nello restaurant on January 18, 2012 in New York City.(Photo by Arnaldo Magnani/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 23:Ivanka Trump attends The Weinstein Company with The Cinema Society & Forevermarkpremiere of ‘W.E.’ at the Ziegfeld Theater on January 23, 2012 in New York City.(Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 28:Ivanka Trump attends the Ivanka Trump New Ready-To-Wear Collection launch at Lord & Taylor on March 28, 2012 in New York City.(Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 03:Ivanka Trump poses at Trump Tower on May 3, 2012 in New York City.(Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images)
Ivanka Trump arrives for the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) dinner in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Saturday, April 28, 2012. The 98th annual dinner raises money for WHCA scholarships and honors the recipients of the organization’s journalism awards. Photographer: Joshua Roberts/Bloomberg via Getty Images 
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 30:Ivanka Trump attends the 2012 Clarins Million Meals Concert For FEED at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center on May 30, 2012 in New York City.(Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage)
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 28:Ivanka Trump attends ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ New York Special Screening at Regal Union Square Theatre, Stadium 14 on June 28, 2012 in New York City.(Photo by Jamie McCarthy/WireImage)
NEW YORK, NY – JULY 18:Ivanka Trump attends 2012 Pin Down Bladder Cancer at the Four Seasons Grill Room on July 18, 2012 in New York City.(Photo by Michael Stewart/WireImage)
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 07:Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump attend the ‘Schiaparelli And Prada: Impossible Conversations’ Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 7, 2012 in New York City.(Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 20:Ivanka Trump attends the ‘Celebrity Apprentice’ Live Finale at American Museum of Natural History on May 20, 2012 in New York City.(Photo by Steve Mack/FilmMagic)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 19:Ivanka Trump attends Ivanka Trump Fragrance Launch at Macy’s Herald Square on February 19, 2013 in New York City.(Photo by Rob Kim/FilmMagic)
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 06:Ivanka Trump attends the Costume Institute Gala for the ‘PUNK: Chaos to Couture’ exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2013 in New York City.(Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 09:Socialite and entrepreneur Ivanka Trump launches her new fragrance ‘Ivanka Trump’ at Lord & Taylor on May 9, 2013 in New York City.(Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Lord & Taylor)
MIAMI, FL – MARCH 04:Ivanka Trump attends The Opening Drive Party at Hyde Beach on March 4, 2014 in Miami, Florida.(Photo by Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images for GREY GOOSE)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 10:Ivanka Trump attends Carolina Herrera fashion show during Fall 2014 Mercedes – Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center on February 10, 2014 in New York City.(Photo by Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – MAY 29:Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry Founder Ivanka Trump arrives at ‘An Evening of Glamour’ at the Couture Jewelry Show party presented by GILT at the Tryst Nightclub at Wynn Las Vegas on May 29, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada.(Photo by Bryan Steffy/Getty Images for DuJour Magazine)
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 08:Ivanka Trump attends the Instyle Hosts 20th Anniversary Party at Diamond Horseshoe at the Paramount Hotel on September 8, 2014 in New York City.(Photo by Rommel Demano/Getty Images)
Ivanka Trump attends the ‘2014 Glamour Women of the Year Awards’ at Carnegie Hall in New York City. �� LAN (Photo by Lars Niki/Corbis via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 10:Ivanka Trump attends the Glamour 2014 Women Of The Year Awards at Carnegie Hall on November 10, 2014 in New York City.(Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Glamour)
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 17:Television personality Ivanka Trump enters the ‘Good Morning America’ taping at the ABC Times Square Studio on December 17, 2014 in New York City.(Photo by Ray Tamarra/GC Images)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 16:Ivanka Trump is seen arriving at Carolina Herrera fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2015 at Lincoln Center on February 16, 2015 in New York City.(Photo by Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images)
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 14: Ivanka Trump arrives at the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival Vanity Fair Party at the State Supreme Courthouse on April 14, 2015 in New York City.(Photo by MPI99/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 07: Ivanka Trump attends the American Theatre Wing’s 69th Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 7, 2015 in New York City.(Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage)
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 04:Ivanka Trump attends ‘China: Through the Looking Glass’, the 2015 Costume Institute Gala, at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 4, 2015 in New York City.(Photo by Taylor Hill/FilmMagic)
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 10:Ivanka Trump attends the 2015 Forbes Women’s Summit: Transforming The Rules Of Engagement at Pier 60 on June 10, 2015 in New York City.(Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 24:Ivanka Trump attends the ‘He Named Me Malala’ premiere at Ziegfeld Theater on September 24, 2015 in New York City.(Photo by Taylor Hill/FilmMagic)
BRIARCLIFF MANOR, NY – SEPTEMBER 21:Ivanka Trump attends the 9th Annual Eric Trump Foundation golf invitational at Trump National Golf Club Westchester on September 21, 2015 in Briarcliff Manor City.(Photo by Bobby Bank/WireImage)
Ivanka Trump attends the ‘2015 New York City Ballet Fall Gala’ at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York City. �� LAN (Photo by Lars Niki/Corbis via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 09:Businesswoman Ivanka Trump attends Glamour’s 25th Anniversary Women Of The Year Awards at Carnegie Hall on November 9, 2015 in New York City.(Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 02:Ivanka Trump attends 19th Annual Accessories Council ACE Awards on November 2, 2015 in New York City.(Photo by Brian Ach/Getty Images for Accessories Council)
Ivanka Trump attends ‘An Evening Honoring Valentino Lincoln Center Corporate Fund Black Tie Gala’ at Alice Tully Hall in New York City. �� LAN (Photo by Lars Niki/Corbis via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 29:Ivanka Trump is seen arriving home from the hospital with her newborn on March 29, 2016 in New York City.(Photo by Tal Rubin/GC Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02:Ivanka Trump attends the ‘Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology’ Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City.(Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 12:Businesswoman Ivanka Trump attends the 2016 Forbes Women’s Summit at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers on May 12, 2016 in New York City.(Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 12:Businesswoman Ivanka Trump attends the 2016 Forbes Women’s Summit at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers on May 12, 2016 in New York City.(Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – JULY 19:Ivanka Trump attends the roll call on the second day of the Republican National Convention on July 19, 2016 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump received the number of votes needed to secure the party’s nomination. An estimated 50,000 people are expected in Cleveland, including hundreds of protesters and members of the media. The four-day Republican National Convention kicked off on July 18.(Photo by Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, USA – JULY 21: Ivanka Trump, daughter of Donald Trump, walks on stage to speak and introduce her father during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, USA on July 21, 2016. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 11: Ivanka Trump attends the men’s final between Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland at Arthur Ashe Stadium on day 14 of the 2016 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 11, 2016 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/GC Images)
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 14:Ivanka Trump Visits ‘FOX & Friends’ at FOX Studios on September 14, 2016 in New York City.(Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images)
ASTON, PA – SEPTEMBER 13:Ivanka Trump introduces her father, Republican presidential hopeful Donald J. Trump, during a campaign event at the Aston Township Community Center on September 13, 2016 in Aston, Pennsylvania.Recent national polls show the presidential race is tightening with two months until the election. (Photo by Mark Makela/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO – OCTOBER 09:Former U.S. President Bill Clinton (R) shakes hands with Ivanka Trump during the town hall debate at Washington University on October 9, 2016 in St Louis, Missouri. This is the second of three presidential debates scheduled prior to the November 8th election.(Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
DANA POINT, CA – OCTOBER 19:Ivanka Trump speaks onstage at the Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit 2016 at Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel on October 19, 2016 in Dana Point, California.(Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Fortune)
Ivanka Trump speaks during the ribbon cutting ceremony at the grand opening of the Trump International Hotel in Washington, DC on October 26, 2016. / AFP / MANDEL NGAN(Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)
Melania Trump (L) and Ivanka Trump look on as Republican presidential elect Donald Trump speaks during election night at the New York Hilton Midtown in New York on November 9, 2016. / AFP / JIM WATSON (Photo credit should read JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)Up Next
See Gallery
Trump wanted to teach his children to be suspicious of others and competitive — and sibling rivalry “flourished” as a result.
This has spiraled into a battle for supremacy to become the president’s favorite among his eldest children in the present day, the report argues.
Read more:Ivanka Trump and Donald Trump Jr. are in a ‘cold war’ for their father’s favor, and suspect each other of planting damaging stories in the media, according to a major new report
Though Ivanka Trump has always had a close relationship with her father and continues to serve in his administration, her older brother Donald Trump Jr. has emerged as as a de facto spokesperson for his father — riling up supporters at rallies across the country and relentlessly defending the president on Twitter.
15 PHOTOSIvanka Trump's top Instagram photosSee GalleryIvanka Trump's top Instagram photos
Caption: "From my ❤ to yours, happy Valentine’s Day! #HappyValentinesDay"
Caption: "After-school fun making hamentashen for Purim with Arabella and Joseph"
Caption: "Exploring the wonders of the @smithsonian National Museum of Natural History"
Caption: "Goodnight! ?"
Caption: "Making some new friends in DC! ?"
Caption: "With @realdonaldtrump on the South Lawn"
Caption: "Just arrived home after an amazing night at The White House with @realdonaldtrump, @Flotus and 46 governors from across the nation."
Caption: "Getting ready to leave The White House with @realdonaldtrump as he prepares to address Congress #JointSession"
Caption: "My Valentine! ❤"
Caption: "A great discussion with two world leaders about the importance of women having a seat at the table! ????"
258.7K likes
Caption: "One year ago today, little Theodore was born, expanding both our family and our hearts! This little boy is pure sunshine! ☀️Happy birthday baby boy! ??"
Caption: "Taking a call in the White House with my personal assistant Theodore. ❤"
Caption: "Blair House, DC #latergram"
Caption: "The best moment of the day!"
See Gallery
In short, though Ivanka initially seemed to be the Trump child who might leverage the most out of his presidency, Trump Jr. has evolved from being viewed as a liability to a political animal whom his father relies upon along the campaign trail.
Eric Trump has focused more on running the family business than politics. Trump’s youngest children, Tiffany and Barron, are also on much different paths than Ivanka and Trump Jr.
Read more: Ivanka Trump and her brother Don Jr. are staking opposite sides in the gun control debate — and the president calls Don Jr. his ‘gun expert’
Trump Jr. and Ivanka are now engaged in a “cold war” as they squabble for Trump’s approval and in the process both are “paranoid that the other’s henchmen” have been “planting damaging stories about them in the press,” according to The Atlantic, which cited interviews with White House advisers as well as Trump campaign aides and ex-employees.
21 PHOTOSDonald Trump and his son, Donald Trump Jr. through the yearsSee GalleryDonald Trump and his son, Donald Trump Jr. through the years
FILE PHOTO: Donald Trump Jr. (L) gives a thumbs up beside his father Republican U.S. presidential nominee Donald Trump (R) after Trump’s debate against Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, U.S. September 26, 2016.REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo
Donald Trump, flanked by his son Donald Jr. (R), addresses the media in Chicago May 10, 2006. Trump was in Chicago to speak about his Trump International Hotel and Tower Chicago that is being built on the old site of the Chicago Sun-Times building on the north side of the Chicago River. Trump also stated in the news conference that he has given the project oversight to the children.
FILE PHOTO: Donald Trump Jr. (C) hugs his father, Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump, as Donald Jr’s wife Vanessa (L) walks past after Trump accepted the Republican presidential nomination at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio U.S. July 21, 2016.REUTERS/Mike Segar/File photo
Donald Trump Jr. and Donald Trump during 1988 U.S. Open – September 3, 1988 at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens, New York, United States. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)
Donald Trump Jr. (L) walks off stage with his father Republican U.S. presidential nominee Donald Trump after Trump’s debate against Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, U.S. September 26, 2016.REUTERS/Brian Snyder
Donald Trump and Donald Trump Jr. during ‘Veranda: New York’s Best at Trump Park Avenue, The Ultimate Showcase Penthouse’ Opening Night Reception at The Trump Park Avenue in New York, New York, United States. (Photo by Robin Platzer/FilmMagic)
Donald Trump (C), entrepreneur and host of the television reality series “The Apprentice” poses with his wife and children (L-R) Donald Trump, Jr., Tiffany, Donald Trump, wife Melania, and daughter Ivanka at the party following the live telecast of the finale of season five in Los Angeles June 5, 2006. REUTERS/Fred Prouser
Donald Trump and Donald Trump Jr. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 12: Donald Trump (C) and his sons Eric F. Trump (L) and Donald Trump Jr. (R) attend the ‘Celebrity Apprentice All Stars’ Season 13 Press Conference at Jack Studios on October 12, 2012 in New York City.(Photo by Desiree Navarro/WireImage)
Donald Trump (2nd L), entrepreneur and host of the television reality series ‘The Apprentice’, poses with his children, (L-R) son Donald Trump, Jr., and daughters Tiffany and Ivanka at the party following the live telecast of the finale of season five in Los Angeles June 5, 2006.
CLEVELAND, OH – JULY 20:Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump (C) speaks with Donald Trump Jr. (L) and Ivanka Trump (R) during the third day of the Republican National Convention on July 20, 2016 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump received the number of votes needed to secure the party’s nomination. An estimated 50,000 people are expected in Cleveland, including hundreds of protesters and members of the media. The four-day Republican National Convention kicked off on July 18.(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Donald Trump (R) waves to a fan as his son Donald Jr. looks on after Trump received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles January 16, 2007. REUTERS/Chris Pizzello (UNITED STATES)
(L-R) 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. The $200 million transformation of the Old Post Office Building into a Trump hotel is scheduled for completion in 2016. REUTERS/Gary Cameron(UNITED STATES – Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS REAL ESTATE)
U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump kisses his son Donald, Jr. at a campaign event at Regents University in Virginia Beach, Virginia February 24, 2016. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts
UNITED STATES – APRIL 14:Donald Trump is joined by his son, Donald Jr., at a Park Ave. luncheon hosted by The Donald.(Photo by Andrew Savulich/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images)
NEW YORK – OCTOBER 27:Donald Trump, Visionary Business Leader award honoree, poses with his children Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka at Fashion Group International’s 22nd Annual ‘Night Of Stars’ at Cipriani’s 42nd Street October 27, 2005 in New York City.(Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images)
NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 19:Donald Trump Jr., Donald Trump, Ivanka Trump and Eric Trump at the Trump Soho Launch on September 19, 2007 in New York City.(Photo by Mark Von Holden/WireImage) 
COO Trump International Hotels, Jim Petrus, Ivanka Trump Donald Trump Jr. and Donald Trump at Donald Trump, Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump, Jr.and Eric Trump Launch the N on October 10, 2007 at Jean Georges, Trump International Hotel & Tower in New York City. (Photo by Shawn Ehlers/WireImage)
DATELINE NBC — Pictured: (l-r) Donald Trump, Natalie Morales, Donald Trump Jr. — (Photo by: Heidi Gutman/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – APRIL 27: Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump (L) introduces his son Donald Trump Jr. (R) as he addressing the crowd during a campaign rally at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum on April 27, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Trump is preparing for the Indiana Primary on May 3rd. (Photo by John Sommers II/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO – OCTOBER 09:Donald Trump, Jr. (R) greets his father Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump during the town hall debate at Washington University on October 9, 2016 in St Louis, Missouri. This is the second of three presidential debates scheduled prior to the November 8th election.(Photo by Rick Wilking-Pool/Getty Images)Up Next
See Gallery
NOW WATCH: Here’s how the top 7 Democratic presidential candidates want to transform the US economy
See Also:
- Ivanka and Donald Trump Jr. are in a ‘cold war’ for their father’s favor and reportedly suspect each other of planting damaging stories
- NOAA defends Trump’s claims about Hurricane Dorian and Alabama, one day after he reportedly personally directed a Coast Guard admiral to back him up
- Joe Biden is running for president in 2020. Here’s everything we know about the candidate and how he stacks up against the competition.
Source: Read Full Article