Ivanka Trump's private email use was nothing like Hillary Clinton's
| Ivanka Trump's private email use was nothing like Hillary Clinton's | |
|---|---|
| DISPUTED | |
| "Ivanka Trump's use of a private email account for government business was nothing like Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server." | |
| Domain | Politics & Elections |
| Tactic | False Context Propaganda Technique |
| Era | Current |
| First seen | 2018 |
| Origin | Statements by Ivanka Trump and Donald Trump in November 2018 after reports that she used a personal account for government business |
| Last reviewed | 2026-11-03 |
| Further reading: books on Politics & Elections | |
The claim that Ivanka Trump's private email use was nothing like Hillary Clinton's is partly right and partly overstated. There are real differences in scale and in who ran the system, and there is a real similarity: both used personal email for government work.
What the evidence shows
- The report. In November 2018 the Washington Post reported that Ivanka Trump had used a personal email account for government business in 2017.
- Her defense. She told ABC News there was 'no equivalency' and said her emails were stored and preserved. Her lawyer's spokesperson said she had used the account before being told of the rules and that the work-related messages had been turned over.
- The President's defense. Donald Trump said her emails were not classified, were not deleted, and were not on a private server.
- Differences. Clinton ran a private server for all her email as Secretary of State. Ivanka used a personal account. There is no public finding that classified material was involved in her case.
- Congress. House Oversight Chairman Trey Gowdy asked the White House for information, and incoming chairman Elijah Cummings said the committee would examine it. The sources reviewed did not show a public conclusion.
Why it persists
The Clinton emails were a central 2016 campaign issue, so the comparison is politically charged. Supporters point to the differences; critics point to the shared practice and past rhetoric.
Lessons for readers
- Compare scale, intent, classification and preservation separately.
- 'Not the same' does not mean 'not a problem.'
- Check for an official finding before assigning a verdict.
See also
Sources
- Washington Post, reporting on Ivanka Trump's personal email account, November 2018.
- ABC News interview with Ivanka Trump, reported November 2018.
- Times of Israel, Global News and Forward coverage of congressional reactions, November 2018.