Trump children fill in picture of their father

Tiffany and Donald J. Trump Jr. diverged from the Republican convention’s theme of the failures of Hillary Clinton, instead offering a series of testimonials about the character of their father, the party’s newly minted presidential nominee.

Tiffany, a 22- year- old recent college graduate, talked about the “sweet notes” her father used to write on her elementary school report cards; and Donald Jr. said his father encouraged him and his siblings to learn under the wing of workers on construction sites who knew the value of hard work and ethics.

“He didn’t hide out in some desk in an executive suite,” said Donald Jr. The real estate billionaire was less impressed with fancy degrees and instead promoted people based on character, street smarts and work ethic, he said.

Tiffany said she kept many of her report cards with Trump’s writing. “My dad’s comments referred often to the sentiments” about how she behaved in the classroom as opposed to her grades, she said. “Donald Trump has never done anything halfway, least of all as a parent.”

Tiffany Ariana Trump, 22, has kept a lower profile than her older half sister, Ivanka. She is Donald Trump’s secondyoungest child — her mother is Trump’s second wife, Marla Maples — after Barron, Trump’s 10- year- old son with Melania. Donald Jr., 38, is Trump’s first child from his marriage with former Czech model Ivana Trump. Also less visible than his younger sister Ivanka and brother, Eric, Donald Jr. serves as executive vice president of the Trump Organization.

Their testimonials may serve an important role in introducing their father to a broader slice of the U. S. electorate. As the general election kicks into gear, Trump is battling low favorability ratings, especially with women and minorities.

ROBERT HANASHIRO, USA TODAY SPORTS Donald Jr. spoke of his dad teaching him about hard work.

ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY SPORTS Tiffany Trump, 22, said her father would write “sweet notes” on her report cards.