A night out in South Beach turned tense for Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner after a man suddenly rushed toward the couple, prompting a rapid and forceful intervention by Secret Service agents who shielded the former first daughter and her husband from a potential threat.
The incident, caught on video by RealClearPolitics correspondent Susan Crabtree, unfolded Sunday night as Ivanka and Jared exited an event and approached their vehicle. Dressed casually, the man abruptly approached Ivanka’s side before a Secret Service agent intercepted him with a stiff-arm, holding the individual back and creating space for the couple to safely enter their SUV.
The video shows the man attempting to engage with the agent, even grabbing at his arm as he tried to push around the security perimeter. In response, the agent shoved him back with force — a split-second decision in a high-stakes scenario.
Crabtree posted the footage on X (formerly Twitter), writing:
“A Secret Service agent wasn’t taking any chances last night. It appears that the agent believed a man got too close to Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump as they were leaving an event in South Beach and aggressively pushed him away.”
The identity and intent of the man remain unclear. He was neither detained nor confirmed to be a threat, but his behavior raised red flags during a moment of public exposure. Secret Service agents are trained to neutralize any perceived threat immediately — and that’s precisely what happened.
Holy smokes. Ivanka Trump’s security guard does not mess around 😳
pic.twitter.com/v0ZVGOHSU6— Jack (@jackunheard) May 5, 2025
Crabtree added that while some in the Secret Service community viewed the shove as aggressive, it’s far from uncommon. Agents operate under intense scrutiny and even more intense pressure — especially now, as resources are being stretched thin to cover the details of a high-profile Trump family, Vice President JD Vance, and other administration figures.
“I, too, have been pushed forcefully aside,” Crabtree reflected, recounting her own brush with agents during a past State of the Union address. “I was shaken up a little, but understood that the agents are on high alert on nights like those.”
Her account marks a key reality: when it comes to protecting presidential families, agents often act decisively first, and ask questions later.
The episode also highlights the unavoidable visibility that comes with being part of the Trump orbit, even for those who’ve stepped away from political life. Both Ivanka and Jared announced in early 2022 they would not take roles in President Trump’s second administration. Their focus, they said, would be on raising their three children and building a private life in Florida.
“I love my father very much,” Ivanka said at the time. “This time around I am choosing to prioritize my young children and the private life we are creating as a family.”
But as this unsettling event shows, public status brings public risk — even in the absence of formal titles or political roles.
