Over the moon: Russian cosmonaut compliments Ivanka
Donald Trump's daughter was touring the Johnson Space Centre and enjoyed a phone call to the International Space Station.
Friday 21 September 2018 06:24, UK
Ivanka Trump was showered with compliments by an effusive Russian cosmonaut during a visit to a NASA base in Texas.
The senior adviser to President Donald Trump was touring the Johnson Space Centre on Thursday, where she was given the chance to chat over the phone with crew aboard the International Space Station.
Among those on the other end of the line was Oleg Artemyev, who took the opportunity to show his affection.
"I think you are a very kind and nice person," he told Ms Trump.
"When I see you on the TV channel and the news, my mood improves and rises."
His kind words brought a smile to the face of Ms Trump, who told the crew that she was excited to be speaking to them having had dreams of exploring the stars as a child.
"I always wanted to go to space," she told the crew, who are flying 250 miles (402km) above the Earth.
"You are fulfilling my dream up there."
She was visiting the space centre alongside Republican Senator Ted Cruz, who has been campaigning in Texas ahead of what looks set to be an unusually close race against Democrat candidate Beto O'Rourke in the US midterms.
The elections in November look set to be a referendum on the Trump presidency, with polls suggesting the Republicans could lose control of the lower House of Representatives, which could cripple Mr Trump's agenda and increase the chances of Democrats seeking impeachment proceedings.