US President Donald Trump suggested his daughter’s name as his running mate before the 2016 elections, The Washington Post reported quoting a book written by his former deputy campaign manager.

“I think it should be Ivanka. What about Ivanka as my VP,” Trump had asked his party members, according to Rick Gates’ book set to be published on October 13.

The report comes amid a time when Trump’s top campaign members have been discussing the 2016 elections.

“She’s bright, she’s smart, she’s beautiful, and the people would love her,” the President had reportedly added.

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Ivanka, who was 34 back then, had never held an elected office. The book, titled ‘Wicked Game: An Insider’s Story on How Trump Won, Mueller Failed, and America Lost’, reportedly says that the President repeatedly pitched the idea for two weeks before Ivanka Trump herself ended the conversation.

She told that it was not a good idea, which eventually led to the selection of Mike Pence as Donald Trump’s running mate. 

The President called it fake news. ”

Now Fake News @CNN is actually reporting that I wanted my daughter, Ivanka, to run with me as my Vice President in 2016 Election. Wrong and totally ridiculous. These people are sick,” he tweeted. Media organisation CNN had also cited The Washington Post report in one of their recent articles. 

“This is not true and there was never any such poll,” Tim Murtaugh, the Trump campaign’s communications director, was quoted as saying on Monday.

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“I have the greatest respect for Mr. Murtaugh and the tremendous job he has with the 2020 Trump campaign. In 2016 only a few senior campaign staff were aware of the full list of potential candidates and the actions we took to vet them,” Gates said in a statement. 

The book praises Trump’s work and follows Gates’ experience with his former boss. While this particular episode may come across as a criticism, Gates has portrayed it as the US President’s love and commitment to his family.