politics

Scarlett Johansson and Ivanka Trump are bickering over a fake ad.

What started out as a comedy skit has escalated into a bitter exchange between Ivanka Trump and actress Scarlett Johansson.

In a recent interview, Scarlett labelled the businesswoman “cowardly” for not speaking out against her father, US president Donald Trump, and his controversial policies.

This is just the latest episode in a tense exchange between the pair, which started when a Saturday Night Live skit starring Scarlett appeared last month.

In the mock advertisement for a fragrance named ‘Complicit’, Scarlett portrayed the mum-of-three while a narrator questioned why Ivanka is considered a women’s advocate if she fails to voice concerns for her father’s questionable moves, such as restricting women’s reproductive rights.

Complicit: a new fragrance from Ivanka Trump. #SNL

A post shared by Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) on

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Ivanka, who had seen the ‘Complicit’ skit, responded to Scarlett’s criticism while speaking to CBS’ Gayle King this week.

She told King just because she didn’t “denounce” her father’s decisions publicly, it did not mean she agreed with them. Instead, she speaks to her father privately.

“If being complicit is wanting to be a force for good and to make a positive impact, then I’m complicit,” the 35-year-old said.

“I would say not to conflate lack of public denouncement with silence.

“In some cases it’s through protest and it’s through going on the nightly news and talking about or denouncing every issue in which you disagree with. Other times it is quietly, and directly, and candidly.”

Scarlett Johansson has accused Ivanka Trump of being 'complicit' and 'cowardly'. (Image via Getty.)
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The entrepreneur chose not to mention the SNL skit or Scarlett directly in her response, but that didn't stop the actress voicing her "disappointment".

Responding to Ivanka's response (are you still with me?) the 32-year-old described Ivanka's comments as "really baffling" while being interviewed by Arianna Huffington on stage Women in the World Summit in New York this week.

"I think you can’t have it both ways right? If you take a job as a public advocate you must advocate publicly," she said.

"She said something which I found particularly disappointing, which is that she felt that the biggest influence she would have or change she would make would be behind closed doors."

"I thought 'well that’s empowering'."

The Ghost in The Shell actress continued, likening the comments to the "old fashioned" idea that "behind a great man is a great woman".

"What about being in front of that person or next to them?"

"Powerful women are often concerned they’re going to be seen in an unforgiving light and screw that, it’s so old fashioned, it’s so uninspired and actually, I think, really cowardly.

"I was just so disappointed by that interview that she gave."

Did you consider Ivanka's comments to be disappointing?