A decades-old photo of Donald Trump with a young Ivanka Trump on his lap is making the rounds online. It is real, as confirmed by many sources, and it is causing plenty of noise.
The image shows Ivanka as a teenager sitting on her father’s lap during a Beach Boys concert at Mar-a-Lago. It looks like a social event from the 1990s, and the vibe is casual.
First things first, this Trump photo is not fake. Fact-checkers at Snopes and Reuters both dug in and verified that it is 100% legit. No Photoshop, no deepfake magic. The original came from Getty Images and was captioned plainly: Ivanka Trump sits on her father’s lap during a party.
The real disturbing shit isn’t in the Epstein Files….
Those particular files are in Ivanka’s childhood therapist’s office.
Just saying. pic.twitter.com/3jWgYQgsqC
— Travis Matthew (@Matthewtravis08) July 31, 2025
That didn’t stop people from freaking out when it resurfaced. The photo went viral in July 2025, right after a DOJ memo said there was no link between Trump and Epstein’s alleged client list. Some folks used the photo to stir doubt and push shady theories.
Netizens React With Discomfort and Sarcasm
Critics didn’t hold back. The comments on social media ranged from “creepy” to “just weird.” People shared the image with captions like, “Why are there so many photos like this?” or “He’s not weird? Really?”
Ivanka / IG / The photo is genuine and not digitally manipulated or AI-generated. It depicts a teenage Ivanka Trump sitting on her father’s lap during a social event at Mar-a-Lago in 1996.
But others defended it as a harmless family moment. Some called out the outrage as fake, saying it is just a father with his daughter at a party.
However, this isn’t the only old photo of Trump and Ivanka that has been fact-checked. Another well-known image shows Ivanka sitting beside Trump on a bed. That one made headlines before, and yes, it is also real. No digital tricks there either.
Ivanka even shared one of the images herself on Instagram back in 2013, captioned, “Me and my dad.” In that one, she looks happy. No scandals, just a throwback photo. But once again, people are reading into it based on what they already think about Trump.
The Epstein Angle Fuels Speculation
Why did this particular photo blow up now? Timing. The viral moment came just after the DOJ released a memo clearing Trump of involvement in Epstein’s inner circle. No connection, no evidence, end of story.
Still, some users used the old image to cast doubt, even implying something shady without facts. But Reuters stepped in to shut that down. They also clarified a totally different photo from 1993, which had Trump kissing Ivanka’s head at a Harley-Davidson event. That one was also real, but people twisted the story to make it sound worse than it was.
@Matthewtravis08 / X / Yes, the photo is real. But how people interpret it varies wildly. Some find it sweet, others say it is cringe. And in the age of hot takes and viral outrage, context gets lost fast.
What is clear is this: The Trump photo is genuine, but the judgment it sparks has more to do with public perception than facts. If you already dislike Trump, the image may feel uncomfortable. If you support him, it might just look like a normal family moment.
Supporters say this is just another example of media bias and character assassination. Critics say the photo shows odd behavior, part of a larger pattern.
