Ever since Donald Trump was elected president, many wondered what influence his family's business ties would have on the administration moving forward. For First Daughter Ivanka Trump, she has now been hit with a lawsuit for allegedly using her father's position as president to increase her brand sales.
Trump lawsuit
Last month during a TV interview, Presidential Counsel Kellyanne Conway used her appearance to promote the Ivanka Trump clothing brand. Backlash quickly followed as many pointed to the fact that a sitting president's administration can't promote the business interests of select individuals.
Reports quickly circulated that Ivanka and Conway got into a heated exchange over the issue, and the White House was forced to backtrack and clarify the remarks that were made. However, as reported by LawNewz on March 22, a class action lawsuit has been filed against Ivanka and her clothing line.
Ivanka Slammed w/ Class Action Suit For Allegedly Illegally Using Trump Presidency to Promote Brand https://t.co/ykMyfu2D4D via @EluraNanos pic.twitter.com/wsffaWnEt4
— LawNewz (@law_newz) March 22, 2017
Last week, a lawsuit was filed by Modern Appealing Clothing, a local small business in California, representing a group of accessory and clothing companies. The lawsuit argues that Ivanka Trump has used Donald Trump's position as commander in chief to unfairly and illegally boost her sales, which the challenge also claims was "promoted by using the power and prestige of the White House." The complaint also name-drops Kellyanne Conway, as well as White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, for adding to the issue at hand.
Ivanka Trump sued for alleged "unfair competition" by clothing rival https://t.co/jzjAxX5N27 pic.twitter.com/o1Zh9nwtDt
— NBC News (@NBCNews) March 21, 2017
Restraining order
As per LawNewz, the lawsuit claims that Ivanka's company, Ivanka Trumps Marks, violated a state law that reads, "unfair competition shall mean and include any unlawful, unfair or fraudulent business act or practice and unfair, deceptive, untrue or misleading advertising." In the court documents, Modern Appealing Clothing argues "that advantage is specifically prohibited by the Constitution and laws of the United States and the law of the State of California." Going further, Modern Appealing Clothing is filing for a restraining order against Ivanka Trump's brand, which if successful, would prohibit the sale of the products in the state of California. As of press time, the White House has not offered a response.
