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By Emma Marsden
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Legendary music producer Quincy Jones, who died on Sunday, made some candid remarks about former president Donald Trump and his daughter, Ivanka, in a 2018 interview with Vulture.
In the controversial interview, referring to Ivanka Trump, Jones said: "I used to date Ivanka, you know." He claimed that he went on a date with her that was arranged by fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger. Jones, who was 84 at the time of the interview, recalled thinking Ivanka was attractive, with "the most beautiful legs," but joked that she had the "wrong father."
He shared that Ivanka was "a fine motherf---er," but did not elaborate on the alleged date or any further relationship with her. Ivanka didn't respond publicly to the claims, but at the time, a source close to her was quoted as saying that Jones was mistaken. "This story is not true," the person said, as reported by Town & Country magazine.
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The revelation, along with a blunt critique of then-President Donald Trump, quickly attracted media attention for its unfiltered nature.
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In the interview, Jones mentioned knowing Ivanka's father and didn't hold back his opinions about him, expressing a strong distaste for Trump and referring to him in disparaging terms. Jones described him as "crazy" and criticized him as being "limited mentally," calling him "narcissistic."
"I used to hang out with him. He's a crazy motherf***er. Limited mentally – a megalomaniac, narcissistic. I can't stand him," Jones said.
During the no-holds-barred interview, Jones expressed frustration about Trump's political career and business practices, implying that he lacked leadership skills and didn't know how to bring people together.
"A symphony conductor knows more about how to lead than most businesspeople – more than Trump does. He doesn't know s***. Someone who knows about real leadership wouldn't have as many people against him as he does. He's a f***ing idiot," Jones said.
Referring to Trump's supporters, again Jones didn't hold back, saying: "It's Trump and uneducated rednecks. Trump is just telling them what they want to hear."
Trump didn't respond publicly to the claims. The following year, in March 2019, Jones donated $2,800 to Kamala Harris' primary campaign.
Newsweek contacted TMTG via email and the Trump campaign for comment outside of normal working hours via Trump's website on Monday.
The Vulture interview was part of a conversation covering everything from Jones' extensive music career to his views on various public figures. Known for his decades of influence on jazz, pop and R&B, as well as his work with Michael Jackson, Jones rarely shied away from sharing his perspectives on the music industry or society.
Family Intervention
However, in this case, his unfiltered comments lead to an intervention by his family, details of which Jones posted online saying: "A couple weekends ago, my six daughters (who I'm beyond proud of) took me aside to do a sprise "family intervention" because of some silly things I've said in two recent interviews &...l have LEARNED MY LESSON!
"Let me tell you, I'm so grateful for my daughters because they aren't scared to stand up to their daddy. I am an imperfect human & I'm not afraid to say it. And I'm sorry & I'm not afraid to say it."
Quincy went on to reference his recent three-year sobriety, before expressing regret for his comments, saying:
"When you've been fortunate enough to have lived such a long & crazy life (& you've recently stopped drinking - three years ago!), certain details about specific events (which do NOT paint the full picture of my intentions nor experiences) come flooding back all at once...
"One of the hardest things about this situation is that, this bad-mouthing has contradicted the very real messages I tried to relay about racism, inequality, homophobia, poverty...you name it.
"And of course I don't want that. I have already reached out to my friends privately, but when you live a public life, you have a responsibility to be an example, & since I do lead a public life, I wanted to make a public apology."
Quincy signed off the announcement with the words: "Love, an 85-year-old bow-legged man who is still learning from his mistakes."
There has been an outpouring of tributes for Jones on social media. Trump and Kamala Harris have yet to comment on his death.
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