Where was Barron Trump? Donald’s youngest was a no-show at his dad’s big speech, but it’s not the first time his family and followers have protected the teen from public scrutiny
Barron Trump’s no-show at his dad’s outgoing speech as US president raised eyebrows and sparked headlines.
The youngest son of Donald Trump was famously absent from his father’s final farewell as president on 20 January, and strangely, 24 hours later he has still not been seen in public alongside his famous family.
But after enduring four years of constant scrutiny as the son of one of the most controversial politicians of our time, surely it’s time we gave the poor 14-year-old a break?
The inauguration
When Donald Trump was sworn in as president in January 2017, Barron was the centre of attention and even celebrities got in on the action when it came to commenting on his movements.
Modern Family’s Julie Bowen was among those pointing out how much of a typical young boy he was for fidgeting at the ceremony, and Melania herself even said at one point she was caught squirming because unknown to many, Barron had kicked her. After an angry response online, Bowen had to explain she wasn’t being mean and refused to take down the posts.
The fashion
Clinton responded, “It’s high time the media and everyone leave Barron Trump alone and let him have the private childhood he deserves.”
Former president George W. Bush’s daughter Jenna defended him months later telling People magazine that the scrutiny of the then-11-year-old made her “mad”. She added that it wasn’t his decision that his dad ran for president.
The policy
In 2018, Barron came under attack from Oscar-winning actress Jane Fonda’s brother, Peter Fonda. The actor, angry about children being separated from their parents at the border, suggested that Barron be separated from his parents to teach Trump a lesson – but it sparked outrage from the public and Melania even notified the Secret Service. He later issued an apology.
The impeachment
During Donald Trump’s impeachment hearing in December 2019, a Stanford law professor made a joke about the American Constitution’s rule that there can’t be titles of nobility. But Pamela Karlan faced a backlash because she used Barron’s name to do so, saying, “While the president can name his son Barron, he can’t make him a baron.”
The public agreed it was a snappy sound bite but one taken too far and that a child’s name shouldn’t be the butt of a joke.
The paternity
Many like to believe Barron is an independent thinker when it comes to being a Trump, and others go as far as buying into rumours that Donald isn’t actually his father. Still, Food Network host John Henson was scalded in June 2020 when he tweeted on Father’s Day that he hoped “Barron got to spend the day with whoever his dad is”. The tweet was eventually deleted and an apology was issued but Twitter users chastised him for picking on an innocent child.
Want more stories like this? Sign up here. Follow STYLE on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter .
- Mum Melania says Barron kicked her at Trump’s 2017 inauguration – four years later he didn’t show for his dad’s outgoing ceremonies
- Former first daughters Chelsea Clinton and Jenna Bush stood up for the camera-shy teen when a journalist picked on his casual fashion choices