Ivanka Trump is being criticized for a photo-op that shows her in a lab coat and goggles conducting a science experiment, with observers criticizing the First Daughter for “cosplaying” a scientist, Huffington Post is reporting .
For those not familiar, “cosplay” is a portmanteau (that is, a combination of two words) of the words “costume” and “play.” It refers to the trend of people dressing up in costume in order to live out their fantasies — or, to hang out for photos at Comic-Con.
For Ivanka, the word is now being used to describe her fashion choice for a photo opportunity in Iowa on Monday.
In the town of Waukee to promote her father’s infrastructure plan, described by Business Insider as unlikely to come to fruition , Ivanka stopped by Waukee Aspiring Professional Experience’s (APEX) Innovation & Learning Center. In case you’re wondering what the connection is: the center is part of a federal job-training program, and its funding — and that of similar programs across the country — is included in Trump’s plan.
While there, Ivanka observed some of the science experiments the students were conducting: writing code, programming a wind tunnel, examining a zebrafish embryo.
“This is so amazing. This is such a cool place to come.”
She then donned a lab coat and a pair of goggles for her own experiment: testing a sample of e-cigarette juice, or “vape juice,” to determine its nicotine content.
Talking #WorkforceDevelopment and Infrastructure in Iowa today! @realDonaldTrump ‘s #Infrastructure initiative includes a robust plan to expand skills-focused learning to prepare the next generation of American workers for 21st century job opportunities. pic.twitter.com/10md8d5tnz
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) March 19, 2018
Unfortunately for Ivanka, the internet can be less than kind sometimes. And for a “presidential adviser” and fashion mogul to assume the clothing of a scientist was, for some observers anyway, too much to let go.
Twitter account “never claimed I was funny,” for example, took a dig at Ivanka’s compassion.
Ok, here’s my meme; I hope everyone looks at it, cause I’d love some opinions. There was so damned much material to choose from. pic.twitter.com/Ko2XSUWI4H
— never claimed i was funny (@veronicamariez2) March 20, 2018
Meanwhile, the Twitter account @RogueNASA, which, according to the Independent , was set up by a NASA employee frustrated with the Trump administration , poked fun at Donald Trump’s so-called “space force” talk.
. @IvankaTrump We see you are training for the Space Force. Tell us about your experiment. We want all the details. pic.twitter.com/Ua2PJk7Ub4
— Rogue NASA (@RogueNASA) March 20, 2018
And of course, no discussion of the Trump family can go by without Russia coming up in the conversation. And Twitter user @IndivisibleBHM was quick to make a Russia connection.
Isn’t that cute? #KremlinBarbie pretends to be a scientist who cares about #infrastructure and #jobs . https://t.co/72cxMScunu
— IndivisibleBHM (@IndivisibleBHM) March 19, 2018
This has not been a good week for Ivanka when it comes to images: as previously reported by the Inquisitr , a dog that looks like Ivanka Trump blew up Twitter this week.
Twitter users crack jokes about VERY chic-looking dog- as thousands say she looks like a canine Ivanka Trump https://t.co/lxUHL5ylIh
— Daily Mail US (@DailyMail) March 20, 2018