Interviewing Elizabeth Pipko

By the Editorial Board

Elizabeth Pipko’s life changed in 2019 when she announced her (then secret) work for President Donald Trump. Facing backlash in the fashion industry for her beliefs, Elizabeth sacrificed her modeling career to speak up for what she believes in. The model turned political activist recently published her book, Finding My Place: Making My Parents’ American Dream Come True, where she gives her perspective on what it means to be an American. From her family’s background escaping communism to her steadfast Jewish faith, Elizabeth provides meaningful insight into the significance of religious liberty and economic freedom. From modeling to the Trump Campaign, Elizabeth represents the reality of the American dream and inspires conservative women across America to be courageous in their beliefs. We could not be more excited to bring you our exclusive interview with Elizabeth Pipko, where we cover fashion, patriotism, Judaism, and more.

Your grandfather escaped the Soviet Union, your parents immigrated to the United States, and you are a first-generation American. How has your family heritage shaped your political beliefs? What does being an American mean to you?

 I think it is actually an understatement to say their story simply shaped my political beliefs. If I am being honest, all that they went through has basically shaped everything about me. There isn’t a decision that I make now that doesn’t stem from something that I learned from my family’s experiences, and not an action that I take without thinking about whether or not they would be proud of me for it. In general, being an American is an incredible gift that nobody should take for granted. But especially as someone whose family members gave up everything that they had for a chance at a life in our country, it is impossible for me to be anything but obsessed with the fact that I have the privilege to call myself an American.

You started your career when you signed to Wilhelmina Models at age 17 and were featured in Esquire and Maxim. How did you become a model? What are the main lessons you learned from starting your career so young?

 So, I was actually discovered out of nowhere and then signed to Wilhelmina models, something I never thought would be possible. I learned a lot about the world in modeling. In general, I don’t think there is any place as good as a modeling agency to teach you about some of the tough experiences that we all have to go through at some point in our lives. I think what was most important for me, and I speak about this quite a bit in my book, was how my time modeling taught me to value myself. It’s hard to imagine that an industry like the fashion world can do that. Still, it really did teach me the tough lesson of having to be proud of myself and who I was, how I looked, and every aspect that made me Elizabeth, in order to achieve anything. 

In 2019, you announced your work for President Trump on Fox & Friends. However, after you came out as a Trump Supporter, “you never heard back from a photographer, an agent, or fellow model ever again.” Tell us more about your experience as a conservative in the fashion industry. Do you believe you lost your modeling career because of your political beliefs? 

It’s really tough to say because things have been so crazy in our country in recent years. It was certainly a combination of things. Did I lose most of my contacts/friends from that world? 100%. But at the same time, I was tired of being afraid of those that I worked with and may have felt as though I wanted to walk away as well. To this day, I don’t like labels like “Republican/Democrat” or “Liberal/Conservative” just based on how much division and strife it has caused in my life alone. I think our country was going through a rough time in the last few years, especially when it comes to politics. I really hope that with the efforts of more and more young people that we can slowly enter into a time where people are not judged by different political labels, but by their actions, and where we can have careers that don’t have to rely on us all having those same labels as well. 

Conservatives are the “silent majority” out of legitimate fear of losing their jobs. However, you sacrificed your modeling career to speak up for what you believe in. Why did you decide to stand up for your beliefs? Looking back, was it worth it?

 I don’t really even think it was about standing up for any specific beliefs per se. In fact, many people have yet to even ask me for my opinions and beliefs when it comes to political issues. All that I was speaking up for was the ability for each American to be able to vote or to support different politicians without having to face backlash. My parents gave up everything for me to have the freedom to think for myself, and it was scary to watch our country going backward in a sense as I watched people being threatened for their individual thoughts and beliefs. 

You recently released your book, Finding My Place: Making My Parents’ American Dream Come True. Your book highlights your experience with the American dream, fashion, Judaism, and politics. What inspired you to write your book? What do you want your readers to take away from this book?

 There was a lot that was written/said about me in the media and by people across the country that chose to judge me completely without knowing me. This was my turn to set the record straight and to tell my story for myself. There were so many people who were telling me that they loved me or hated me when they knew nothing about me except for how I voted in one election. This was my time to tell the world who I was, and possibly to even change the minds of some who hated me, or possibly even some who thought they liked me! Ha!

I also really wanted to tell my side of things from all of the different industries and worlds that I have gotten to be a part of. I’ve been extremely lucky with much of what I have gotten to experience in my 25 years on this earth, and I thought it would be selfish to not share some of those experiences and what I learned from them with young people around the world who may simply be interested in what it’s like to navigate this strange kind of a life I have lived while fighting to stay true to myself the entire way!

You cite your devout Jewish faith as a source of your strength, inspiration, and conviction. What aspects of your life have been most profoundly influenced by your faith? Additionally, what role has your faith played in forming your values?

 My faith has influenced every aspect of my life. I always tell people; I am a Jew first. And whether it’s the modeling world, or the political world, or anything in between, I always try to act as Jew and think/feel/act the way that God would want me to. 

You are the founder of “The Exodus Movement,” which fights against anti-Americanism, anti-Semitism, and anti-Zionism rising on the far-Left. What is your perspective regarding the rise of anti-Semitism in the Democratic Party? What is your pitch to Jewish Americans on why they should leave the Left?

 In general, The Exodus Movement and I have stayed true to the mission of fighting anti-Semitism wherever it appears, on the Left or the Right, and I’m extremely proud of that. At the same time, I noticed over the last few years a very serious trend happening in our country among young people, which I think could best be described as a lack of understanding as to why a strong relationship with Israel was important for our country. Obviously, it gets much deeper than this and has led to things like the BDS movement and other anti-Semitism, but I think the basic problem has been the lack of education when it comes to the Middle East and the significance that our bond with Israel has. And noticing that failing, and all of the other bad things that followed that shift is why I wanted Jewish Americans to just step back and see if our leaders were giving us all that they had been promising. 

You are a strong supporter of Israel. From moving the American embassy to Jerusalem to negotiating historic peace treaties in the Middle East, President Trump has been called the most “pro-Israel President in American history.” How does your support for President Trump intertwine with your advocacy for Israel? Why do you believe all Americans should support Israel?

 The Middle East is an extremely complicated topic. However, our relationship with Israel, the only true democracy in the Middle East, does not have to be. Having a partner in democracy is extremely important, especially in the Middle East, and that is what Israel is for the United States. And whether you support President Trump or not, I still think we should all be able to step back and see the importance of what the President has done, especially with the recent UAE Peace deal, and bringing prosperity and opportunity to a region that has been waiting for it for far too long. 

You inspire conservative women across this country to be confident and courageous in their beliefs. What advice would you give young women who are navigating adulthood while trying to stay true to who they are?

Honestly, my goal is not just to inspire conservatives or women, but all people to be confident in their beliefs and who they are. We are all special in our own way, and as long as you are able to stay true to your own values while being kind to others, that is seriously the only thing in this world that matters.