Trump Blasted For Turning His Ex-Wife Ivana’s Death Into Fundraising Opportunity

Following the death of Donald Trump's first wife Ivana Trump, the former President issued a statement, but he got slammed by critics for apparently "fundraising off" the announcement.

Trump said in his Truth Social post that he was very "saddened to inform all of those that loved her, of which there are many, that Ivana Trump has passed away at her home in New York City." He described her as a wonderful, beautiful, and amazing woman, who led a "great and inspirational life." He said that Ivana's pride and joy were her children, and that she was so "proud of them, as we were all so proud of her."

MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell tweeted a screenshot of Trump’s email response to Ivana's death. It showed a link to his Save America political action committee (PAC) at the bottom. She wrote, "Fundraising off this." Her post was retweeted several times, with many people blasting Trump, reported Fox News.

Political commentator Fred Wellman tweeted, "What a s***** human. My ex is dead…send me money." But there were many who pointed out that the link at the bottom of the message appears on all emails by Trump. They said that it was not added specifically by the former president. Grand Old Party (GOP) operative Arthur Schwartz said that it’s on the letterhead, and that it wasn’t added for purposes of the statement on Ivana's death.

The "donate" function is automatically included in all of its emails, Liz Harrington, a Trump spokesperson, told Business Insider. She said that it is obviously a built-in function on all of Trump’s emails, and only "ghouls would try to make something of it. Sick."

Save America's previous emails, including Trump statements have indeed included a "donate" function by default.

On Thursday, Ivana was found dead in her apartment in New York City at the age of 73. Trump's ex-wife, who was born in Czechoslovakia, was reportedly found at the bottom of a staircase. When she married Trump in 1977, she was an occasional model and a ski racer.

Known for her style and elegance throughout the 1980s, she became an icon. Ivana featured in the 1996 hit film "The First Wives Club," with the famous line, "Ladies, you have to be strong and independent, and remember, don’t get mad, get everything." She and Trump had three children -- Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric, but the couple divorced in 1992.