Federal Judge orders Ivanka Trump to testify over 'knockoff' shoe design

Senior White House aide Ivanka Trump has been ordered to testify in a lawsuit with an Italian shoemaker.

U.S. District Judge Katherine Forrest ruled Friday against lawyers for the first daughter who had sought to shield her from being deposed in the case, the Associated Press reported.

Aquazzura Italia SRL "sued President Donald Trump’s daughter last year, saying her Hettie shoe was a 'virtually identical' knockoff of its popular Wild Thing Shoe, including nearly the same color, shape and tassel on the heel," the AP noted. "Its lawsuit seeks unspecified damages."

"Trump described herself as the former president of the company, saying she is now an assistant to the Republican president of the United States and maintains an office in the White House," AP reported.

Not unlike her father, Ivanka's public statements undermined her lawyer's defense.

Judge Forrest ruled that, “Ms. Trump’s public statements regarding active and comprehensive brand management lead to a reasonable inference that the shoe at issue would not have been released without her approval.”