BONUS | Ryan Holiday's Response to Ivanka Trump - The Daily Stoic

Episode Overview

Podcast: The Daily Stoic
Episode: BONUS | Ryan Holiday's Response to Ivanka Trump
Date: May 1, 2026

In this passionate bonus episode, author and Stoicism advocate Ryan Holiday responds directly to Ivanka Trump's public reference to Marcus Aurelius and Stoic philosophy. Holiday dives deep into what Stoicism actually requires—particularly its focus on ethics, self-reflection, and living in alignment with virtue—while critiquing what he sees as a widespread misunderstanding or misuse of Stoic ideas by prominent figures for image or personal comfort.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Misunderstanding Stoicism in Public Life

[01:26] Reference to Marcus Aurelius: The episode opens with a direct quote often cited by Ivanka Trump:
“The soul becomes dyed the color of its thoughts.”
This highlights how easily Stoic wisdom can be lifted out of context. Holiday admits the quote is valid and central to the Stoic worldview but warns against superficial engagement.
[02:01] Holiday’s Critique:

“She’s totally right. That’s exactly what Marcus Aurelius said. That’s exactly what stoicism is about. She’s just not living or acting in accordance with it in any way.”
Holiday points out the inconsistency between quoting Stoic wisdom and not embodying its teachings, using Ivanka Trump and her family as examples.

2. The Ethical Core of Stoicism

[02:46] Stoicism Is More Than Words:
Holiday quotes Marcus Aurelius again:

“Waste no more time talking about what a good person is. Like, just fucking be one.”
He stresses that Stoicism isn't about posturing or merely thinking “nice thoughts” to shield oneself from criticism or the consequences of one’s actions.
Ethical Demands: Holiday emphasizes that genuine Stoicism means actively engaging with the world to improve it and facing uncomfortable truths, not retreating into philosophical detachment or self-protection.

3. The Dangers of Performative Philosophy

[03:20–05:40] On Public Figures Misusing Stoicism:
- Holiday bemoans the trend of public figures co-opting Stoic language for branding without integrating the ethical implications:
  
  “This is just obviously incredibly cringe. The sort of performative philosophy…with people who have no idea that this is a philosophy built around an ethical core, which justice is the true north of the philosophy.”
- He draws a line between genuine self-improvement (as practiced by Marcus Aurelius in private) and using Stoicism for public posturing or reputation management.

4. The True Practice of Stoicism

[04:15–05:40] Living the Philosophy:
- Holiday reminds listeners that Stoicism is a daily practice—“not a brand; it’s a practice”—requiring honesty, accountability, and moral courage.
  
  “You have to live it and act with integrity. You have to be involved in public life in a way that is beyond reproach, in a way that contributes rather than extracts value from the government.”
- He praises Marcus Aurelius for meditating on power and responsibility, and admonishes those who use Stoic wisdom as “reminders for health” instead of as ethical commitments.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Ivanka Trump’s Quotation of Marcus Aurelius ([01:26]):

“The soul becomes dyed the color of its thoughts. And I think about that all the time. The cost to me of living in a way that's inconsistent and not aligned with what feels right… It's too expensive.”
Ryan Holiday’s Direct Response ([02:01]):

“She’s totally right… That’s exactly what stoicism is about. She’s just not living or acting in accordance with it in any way.”
On the Essence of Stoicism ([02:46]):

“Waste no more time talking about what a good person is. Like, just fucking be one.” – Marcus Aurelius, via Ryan Holiday
On Performative Stoicism ([03:20]):

“This is as cringe as it possibly gets because it’s not real and it’s totally missing the point… Stoicism is not a brand, it’s a practice.”
Essential Reminder ([05:20]):

“Stoicism… demands honesty, it demands self-awareness, it demands accountability, it demands doing the right thing even when it costs you something, even when it’s painful, even when it would mean… confronting your horrible family members.”

Important Segments & Timestamps

[01:26] Ivanka Trump Quotes Marcus Aurelius
[02:01] Ryan Holiday Responds: Alignment vs. Action
[02:46] Stoicism Is Not About Detachment—It’s About Ethical Action
[03:20–05:20] Discussion on Performative Stoicism and Public Responsibility
[05:20–05:40] Call to Authentic Practice: Stoicism as Accountability

Summary

Ryan Holiday’s response to Ivanka Trump’s Stoic references is both passionate and incisive. He underscores that Stoicism is not about selective quotation, reputation management, or protecting oneself from criticism. Rather, it is an all-encompassing commitment to justice, self-examination, and the ethical use of one’s power and influence—regardless of personal cost. The episode makes clear that for Holiday, Stoicism’s core is action, not performance: “Just fucking be one.” This is a clear call, not to talk about virtue, but to live it—especially in public life.

Transcript

A (0:00)

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B (1:26)

Stoic Stoicism, I think, like Marcus Aurelius Meditations is so informative on so many levels. I mean, here you have somebody who was literally an emperor and he's writing this journal in a tent, in a battlefield. So his perspective is amazing. And he once wrote that the soul becomes dyed the color of its thoughts. And I think about that all the time. The cost to me of living in a way that's inconsistent and not aligned with what feels right, what models the right thing for my children, what feels inherently true to me. It's too expensive.

A (2:01)

I mean, look, here's the thing. She's totally right. That's exactly what Marcus Reelius said. That's exactly what stoicism is about. She's just not living or acting in accordance with it in any way. If you did, you'd have an intervention with your dad, whose life would be dyed with his horrible, negative, mean, bullying thoughts all the time.

C (2:21)

Are you stupid? Are you a stupid person? You are a rude, terrible person. You shouldn't be working for cnn. Don't talk to me that way. You're just a. You're just a lightweight. Gavin Newscom has admitted that he has learning disabilities. Ilan Omar is garbage. She's garbage. Her friends are garbage. So he's totally incoherent and he goes, thank you, thank you.

A (2:46)

I'll give you another great Marx Aelius quote. Ivanka, he says, waste no more time talking about what a good person is. Like, just fucking be one. Look, this, this is just obviously incredibly cringe. The sort of performative philosophy, the popularity of stoicism with people who have no idea that this is a philosophy built around an ethical core, which justice is the true north of the philosophy. I'll tell you what stoicism is not. Stoicism is not a way for you not to have to care about the consequences of the things that are happening around you. It's not a way to turn inward and turn away from other people, from what's happening in the world, from not having to care. It's not, oh, I'm just going to think nice thoughts so I can have a nice life. I'm not going to let critics or criticism penetrate because then I'd have to, you know, actually make some changes or take some accountability or, or stare in the face the reality of what I have been complicit in, what I am responsible for. Ivanka Trump quoting Marcus Aurelius. I mean, that's as eye rolly as you can get. The only similarity you have with the, the Aurelius family is that you're a Commodus and so are your shitty brothers. Look, nobody loves seeing people talk about Marx, Aurelius and stoicism more than me. This is what gets me out of bed in the morning. My life's work is getting people to pick up meditation. So that's awes. I love to see it. Also, this is as cringe as it possibly gets because it's not real and it's totally missing the point. You know, Marcus Aurelius wasn't just saying these things for his health. He wasn't just quoting random bits of Stoic wisdom. He was trying to live it, right? Trying to live it, trying to put it into practice. That's the whole point of Meditations. As I said, he's fighting to be the person that philosophy tried to make him. Not performatively, but in his private journal. These were reminders of to himself to do better. And yes, sometimes they're about, you know, directing your thoughts properly. But most of the reminders in meditations are ethical reminders, reminders to be a better person, to follow the Stoic principles, to put them into practice, to be a better person than his job and his wealth would let him get away with being. You know, Marcus Rus is the most powerful person in the world. You and he wrote obsessively about what that responsibility meant, about justice, about not letting power corrupt. You know, stoicism is not a brand, it's a practice. And it demands honesty, it demands self awareness, it demands accountability, it demands doing the right thing even when it costs you something, even when it's painful, even when it would mean, I don't know, confronting your horrible family members. So no, quoting Marx, Aurelius, doesn't make you a stoic. Doesn't make you wise. You have to live in and act with integrity. You have to be involved in public life in a way that is beyond reproach, in a way that contributes rather than extracts value from the government.