In a revealing interview, Ivanka Trump shared how her family’s journey into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu began with her daughter Arabella’s remarkable request for self-defense training. The former First Daughter explained that at age 11, Arabella approached her with a mature perspective on personal safety.
“She came to me and said, ‘You know, as a woman, I feel like I need to know how to defend myself, and I don’t have a confidence level yet that I can do that,'” Trump recalled. “My jaw just hit the ground because at 11, I don’t know what I was doing – I was thinking about boys or something – but I was not thinking about being able to physically defend myself.”
Impressed by her daughter’s foresight, Trump reached out to her network for recommendations and eventually connected with the Valente Brothers in Miami, who would become the family’s instructors. What started as classes for Arabella soon evolved into a family affair, with Trump joining her daughter’s training sessions at her request. The enthusiasm proved contagious, as her two sons and husband Jared Kushner also joined the practice.
Trump described Jiu-Jitsu as a multifaceted discipline that combines physical movement with mental engagement.
“It’s almost like a moving meditation because the movements are so micro – it’s like three-dimensional chess,” she explained.
The former White House advisor has developed such an appreciation for the sport that she now enjoys watching UFC matches, noting how she can recognize the subtle techniques being employed.
The martial art’s appeal extends beyond just physical training for the Trump family. Ivanka highlighted the spiritual aspects of Jiu-Jitsu, particularly its grounding in Samurai tradition, culture, and wisdom. As someone who has always been drawn to philosophy, she appreciates how the practice combines physical movement with philosophical principles.
“I started driving her to these classes. She started asking me to join, so I joined. Then my two sons wanted to do what their older sister was doing. Then my husband joined. It’s supposed to be really good for kids, right? It is good for everyone, and it’s like multiple things I like, so it meshes. Physical movement—it’s almost like a moving meditation because the movements are so micro. It’s like three-dimensional chess.”
“I’m good right now. I’m actually good. It’s fun—you guys would love it. It satisfies both. There’s a real spiritualism to it, like the grounding in Samurai tradition, culture, and wisdom.”
The Valente Brothers‘ approach to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu stands out for its emphasis on tradition and practicality, rejecting the sport-focused direction of modern BJJ. Unlike the competition-regulation gis commonly seen today, their students train in shorter, karate-style uniforms that resemble everyday clothing. This choice allegedly reflects their philosophy of preserving the art’s roots in self-defense, dating back to 17th-century samurai who trained in their daily attire. Their uniforms, designed for durability and realism, aim to replicate how fabric behaves in real-world situations, reinforcing the self-defense mindset.
The Valente Brothers Academy also stands apart with a traditional, self-defense-centric approach to black belt evaluations. Eschewing competition achievements and modern BJJ norms, their “testing” emphasizes real-world self-defense scenarios. Rooted in the philosophy that a black belt symbolizes wisdom and growth rather than just technical prowess, their curriculum integrates structured lessons, mental discipline, and values like the “753 code.” The brothers have been widely criticized for promoting Gisele Bundchen to purple belt in just two years.
This family involvement in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has garnered praise from UFC President Dana White, who recently commended the decision as “brilliant” in a FOX News interview. White has been a long-time advocate for children learning BJJ, emphasizing its ability to build confidence and instill valuable life skills.
The trend of Jiu-Jitsu training has spread throughout the extended Trump family, with other grandchildren also taking up the martial art. Luke and Carolina Trump, children of Lara Trump, recently earned their full Grey belt promotions under the instruction of Carlson Gracie Jr.
For Ivanka Trump, the practice appears to be part of a broader lifestyle shift following her time in Washington. After leaving the White House, she has focused on implementing various wellness practices and prioritizing family time, with Jiu-Jitsu emerging as a meaningful activity that brings her family together while promoting both physical and mental well-being.
