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Gov’t Watchdog: Conway Violated Ethics Rules with “Free Commercial” for Ivanka Products

HeadlineFeb 15, 2017

The Office of Government Ethics says counselor to the president Kellyanne Conway committed a “clear violation” of federal ethics rules when she used a TV appearance on “Fox & Friends” last week to market merchandise sold by President Trump’s daughter, Ivanka.

Steve Doocy: “30 seconds.”

Kellyanne Conway: “Go buy Ivanka’s stuff, is what I would tell you. I’m going to––”

Steve Doocy: “Well, there is that––”

Kellyanne Conway: “I hate shopping. I’m going to go get some myself today. … It’s a wonderful line. I own some of it. I fully—I’m going to just give—I’m going to give a free commercial here. Go buy it today, everybody. You can find it online.”

In a letter released Tuesday, Office of Government Ethics Director Walter Shaub called on the White House to investigate Conway and consider disciplining her. Last Thursday, following Conway’s “free commercial” on “Fox & Friends,” Conway told CNN she spoke to Trump, and he stands behind her “100 percent.” Conway is also under fire this morning, after BuzzFeed reported Conway tweeted “Love you” to an apparent white nationalist on Valentine’s Day. The Twitter user “Lib Hypocrisy” has a bio that reads “Hate anti-American liberals, Marxists and Commies. #White Identity, #Nationalist.” It also includes an image of Pepe the Frog, which the Anti-Defamation League has classified as a hate symbol. Lib Hypocrisy tweeted at Conway Tuesday, “Your strength and resiliency in face of vile hatred, bigotry, & sexism of the unhinged Left is a daily inspiration. Love you!” Conway retweeted the message and added, “Love you back.”

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