PoliticsIvanka Trump Slammed by Critics for Horseback Riding as Trump Admin Loosens Restrictions on Wild Horse Slaughter: 'Grotesque Irony'
Ivanka Trump's daughter inherited her love for horses.
Sept. 8 2026, Published 2:58 p.m. ET
Ivanka Trump is facing online backlash after posting a carefree video of an oceanside horseback ride during her vacation in Costa Rica.
On Monday, September 7, Trump shared a clip on X of herself and her 15-year-old daughter, Arabella, racing horses on a beach at sunset, set to Coldplay's "Viva la Vida."
The post immediately backfired, as critics branded it "tone-deaf" and compared it to a modern-day "let them eat cake" moment. Commentators and internet users slammed the video for its timing, contrasting her luxury getaway with several pressing issues.
Ivanka Trump Sparks Backlash
Ivanka Trump and her daughter went horseback riding in Costa Rica.
Critics pointed out the stark contrast between her lavish vacation and soaring prices, high gas costs and the broader cost-of-living crisis affecting everyday Americans.
The relaxed post arrived while her father, President Donald Trump, faces heavy criticism over his handling of escalating conflicts involving Iran and Gaza.
The video was also published amidst heightened scrutiny surrounding her husband Jared Kushner's political role and trade tensions, including her father's recent tariff threats against Canada.
Some social media users pointed out that the Trump administration's proposed budgets could lead to horses being slaughtered.
In addition, the Trump administration's policies and budget proposals regarding wild horses have sparked intense debate over the risk of the animals being sold for slaughter.
Investigative reports revealed that sales of federally protected wild horses rose sharply after Trump returned to office.
The Trump administration’s proposed 2026 and 2027 budgets sought to remove restrictions and federal funding prohibitions against killing protected horses or selling them for slaughter.
- Ivanka Trump Rides Horses At Sunset With Daughter Arabella After Revealing She Misses Her Mom Ivana 'Every Day'
- Ivanka Trump Distracts Herself From Marriage Woes By Going Horseback Riding With Daughter In Paris — Photos
- 'Grateful' Ivanka Trump Sizzles in Tiny Black Bikini During Costa Rica Getaway: Photos
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Social Media Critics Lashed Out at Ivanka Trump
Ivanka Trump restricted the comments on her social media post.
In response to the mounting wave of negative comments, Ivanka restricted or turned off comments on some of her social media pages, but that didn’t stop people from airing out their frustrations.
Anti-Trump influencer Brian Krassenstein posted the video on X with the caption, “Ivanka Trump showing us all that $6 gasoline isn’t really a problem?”
“Her father is slaughtering wild horses in America. These people never read the room,” said one critic.
“Point out the real grotesque irony here....Arabella riding a beautiful horse on the beach in Costa Rica, while her evil grandfather is rounding up our beautiful wild horses all over the US and slaughtering them...by the thousands. For no reason at all,” claimed another.
Gas prices are up nearly a dollar compared to last year.
“Is she fleeing?” quipped one person
“Where are the other three horsemen of the apocalypse?” wondered someone else.
“Who needs gas when you have a horse?” snarked another.
The national average gas price in the United States is about $4.10 per gallon. Prices climbed to a record-high Labor Day average of $4.14 per gallon, which is nearly a dollar higher than the previous year, according to tracking data from NBC News.
