Missed It by That Much: GOP Stumps for Working Class, But Rubio, Ivanka 'Failed Hug' Steals the Show
WASHINGTON -- It was the hug seen 'round the world -- or at least 'round Twitter.
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., met with first daughter Ivanka Trump on Capitol Hill Tuesday. The two, along with a host of other GOP lawmakers, talked about her initiatives for working class families.
As these events tend to go, Rubio and Trump met with a smile and embrace as the senator attempted to go in for a hug.
Except, that embrace didn't happen, at least not according to initial photos. In those photos, Rubio can be seen reaching for the first daughter with outstretched arms, while Trump stands stiffly, arms at her side.
Ivanka Trump arriving at the Capitol greeted by Sen Rubio. She's now meeting with lawmakers on child tax credit. pic.twitter.com/shhrD9kOnW
— Erica Werner (@ericawerner) June 20, 2017
Of course, as the Twitter-sphere tends to do in situations like this one, it became much ado about nothing as Rubio was berated for his not so smooth attempts.
Look, he's no Zack Morris or Ferris Bueller, but Rubio does know how to turn a gaffe into an opportunity. The Florida senator took the jabs in strides and got in on the fun. Tweeting….
We believe we have our own unclassified photographic evidence that will shed greater details on this incident.
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) June 20, 2017
He then attempted to provide evidence of the alleged hug.
BREAKING NEWS: Additional photo from moments right after today's alleged failed hug provide new details to this developing story. pic.twitter.com/TFyhB2cQuM
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) June 20, 2017
The first daughter also joined in on the banter, calling the "missed hug" fake news.
Fake news! Marco is an excellent hugger... https://t.co/Dk7XXRQlX8
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) June 20, 2017
The real news of course was the reason behind the meeting. The first daughter, who has made her platform women in the workplace, visited Capitol Hill to garner support and strategies for her child tax credit expansion.
The current tax credit is set at $1,000. Rubio, who once proposed raising that amount to $2,500 per child, is a likely ally for the first daughter.
Sens. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, and Tim Scott, R-S.C., were also present at Tuesday's meeting.
Ivanka is also pushing for paid family leave and eliminating marriage penalties in the tax code.
Rubio says it's a topic the GOP simply cannot ignore.
"There's a growing desire in the Republican conference in the Senate and House to address the fundamental fact that there are people in America who have decided they can't afford to have children because they can't get a month off of work and not get paid," stated Rubio.
"In America, no family should be forced to put off having children due to economic insecurity," Rubio tweeted.