Former President Donald Trump brought his youngest son, Barron, onstage Tuesday, marking Barron’s debut appearance at a rally and his first public outing in recent months, writes the Washington Examiner. Barron and his mother, Melania Trump, have largely kept a low profile, avoiding the media’s scrutiny throughout his childhood and high school years.
Introducing Barron, Trump remarked, “He might be more popular than Don and Eric … Welcome to the scene, Barron.” The crowd greeted Barron with intense applause as he stood behind his father, giving a thumbs up in excitement. Despite declining other invitations, such as serving as a delegate to the Republican National Convention due to other commitments, this appearance signals a potential shift in Barron’s visibility in the political arena.
Barron’s entry into the spotlight could position him to play a more vocal role in his father’s political future, especially as his sister, Ivanka, has stepped back from the political scene. A source close to Ivanka mentioned, “She basically wants a new life to compensate for what she lost when she spent four years in her father’s Washington.” During Trump’s first administration, Ivanka served as a senior adviser and frequently engaged with the media, acting as a poised representative for the administration.
In contrast, Barron could offer a fresh perspective and humanize Trump’s often brash image. Actor Vincent Oshana, who dined with the Trump family at Mar-a-Lago, described Barron as “witty, smart, hilarious” on a podcast in April, adding that Barron has “a good head on his shoulders” and is “smart on politics.” Oshana shared that Barron humorously commented on his father’s loud music, saying, “I’ll be in my room and the house is shaking, like, my dad plays the music loud.”
Rumors suggest that Barron might take on a more advisory role if his father wins back the White House in November. Trump himself noted earlier this year that Barron advises him on politics, calling him a “smart one.” Though Barron, at 18, is heading off to college in the fall, a more public role in his father’s political activities seems increasingly likely.
But before anything else, the teenager is heading off to college soon. While Trump hasn’t revealed which school Barron will be attending this fall, the Trump family has strong connections to two universities in particular: the University of Pennsylvania and Georgetown University. However, there’s also speculation that Barron might choose to stay closer to his protective mother, Melania Trump, which has led to discussions about New York University and the University of Miami as potential options.
