Ivanka Trump says she's focusing on family, not political plans, after missing dad's campaign launch

Ivanka Trump, the eldest daughter of former President Donald Trump, has issued a statement on why she was not on stage for her father's presidential announcement Tuesday night, saying she will always support her father but wants to focus on her family rather than politics.

"I love my father very much. This time around, I am choosing to prioritize my young children and the private life we are creating as a family," she told Fox News on Tuesday night, when her father announced his third presidential bid. 

"I do not plan to be involved in politics," Trump continued. "While I will always love and support my father, going forward I will do so outside the political arena. I am grateful to have had the honor of serving the American people and will always be proud of many of our administration’s accomplishments." 

Her brother, Donald Trump Jr., also missed his father's announcement. However, Ivanka Trump's husband, Jared Kushner, and Donald Jr.'s fiance, Kimberly Guilfoyle, attended the former president's campaign launch.

Trump sons Barron Trump and Eric Trump and Eric's wife Lara Trump were in the ballroom at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida where the former president made the announcement, according to news reports.

And former first lady Melania Trump made an entrance with her husband to the song "God Bless the USA."

Ivanka Trump said she is "extremely close" with her father and that "will never change," but she is enjoying private life in Florida.

"I’ve had many roles over the years but that of daughter is one of the most elemental and consequential," she said. "I am loving this time with my kids, loving life in Miami and the freedom and privacy with having returned to the private sector. This has been one of the greatest times of my life."