Ivanka Trump meets Peggy Whitson at the White House
Ivanka Trump beamed with delight as she met the pioneering astronaut Peggy Whitson at the White House today.
The first daughter, 36, met the NASA astronaut, 57, after President Donald Trump signed a policy directive to send American astronauts back to the moon.
She flashed a bright smile during the meeting, for which she donned a black dress with shoulder cutouts, paired with matching earrings.
Duo: Ivanka Trump beamed with delight as she met the pioneering astronaut Peggy Whitson at the White House today
Event: The first daughter, 36, met the NASA astronaut, 57, after President Donald Trump signed a policy directive to send American astronauts back to the moon
So happy: She flashed a bright smile during the meeting, for which she donned a black dress with shoulder cutouts, paired with matching earrings
Ivanka, who wore her long hair down, appeared incredibly pleased to meet Whitson, an emblematic figure among American astronauts
Enjoying herself: The first daughter seemed to be in high spirits as she saluted the astronaut
Ivanka, who wore her long hair down, seemed incredibly pleased to meet Whitson, an emblematic figure among American astronauts.
Whitson is the only female astronaut to have commanded the International Space Station twice. She is also the single US astronaut who has spent the most cumulative time in space, reaching a total of 665 days over the course of three long-duration missions.
The directive Trump signed today instructs the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to 'refocus America's space program on human exploration and discovery'.
Ultimately, the president wants to set up a mission to Mars. Past presidents, including George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, have also proposed returning to the moon and missions to Mars, but budget constraints derailed their plans.
Pioneering: Whitson is the only female astronaut to have commanded the International Space Station twice, and the US astronaut who has spent the most cumulative time in space
Conversation: Ivanka spoke animatedly during the meeting at the White House today
Audience: Whitson (right) posed next to President Trump as he signed the new directive
Monday's meeting came after Ivanka spent a festive weekend with her family.
She and her husband Jared Kushner, 36, were all smiles Sunday as they posed alongside their children for several social media snaps during a festive family day.
The high-profile family bundled up for an ice skating outing in the morning, after Washington D.C. saw its first snowfall of the season.
Ivanka shared the sweet moments to her Instagram and Twitter page, writing in one, 'Sunday morning with this crew!,' which captured her husband on ice with his arms around daughter Arabella, six, and son Joseph, four.
Festive outing: Ivanka and Jared spent Sunday having a family fun day with their children
Sharing: The group started the day out ice skating. Ivanka posted the sweet snapshots to her social media pages
Sweet! 'Holiday Baking,' Ivanka wrote in one post, which showed her children Arabella and Joseph beaming as they assisted one another in making the sweet treats
Celebrations: The day came not long after the First Daughter joined the Hanukkah reception at the White House Thursday, which Trump described as 'especially special'
Ivanka posed during the Hanukkah reception with her three children, (left to right) Joseph, four, Arabella, six, and Theodore, one
She posted another adorable picture of herself striking a pose in the skates as she embraced her eldest daughter.
Later in the afternoon, the group made their way back home, where they made themselves a little cozier indoors to bake some goodies.
'Holiday Baking!,' Ivanka wrote in a post, which showed her two kids beaming as they assisted each other in making the sweet treats.
It seems the group was pretty hungry too, as Ivanka shared their final product of several batches.
This seasonal celebration came days after the first daughter, Jared and their children joined for the Hanukkah reception at the White House, which Trump described as 'especially special'.
The Thursday event occurred one day after President Trump declared Jerusalem as Israel's capital, sparking protests and chaos in the Middle East.