Barron Trump, the youngest son of former President Donald Trump, made his first public appearance to campaign for his father at a rally on Tuesday, The Hill reported. The 18-year-old previously stayed out of the limelight.
Trump introduced his son to the crowd gathered in Doral, Florida to support the presumptive GOP presidential nominee. "Barron Trump! This is the first time he’s ever done it, Barron," Trump said of his son.
Barron didn't speak to the crowd but stood up, waved to the eager supporters, and gave two thumbs up. Trump's other sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, frequently appear with the former president.
The future of the Republican Party is Barron Trump.
Welcome to the fight.
— Graham Allen (@GrahamAllen_1) July 10, 2024
Donald Trump couldn't help but gush about his youngest child, who just graduated high school and is headed for college. "Got into every college he wanted to and he made his choice. And he’s a very good guy," Donald Trump said.
The former president celebrated what seemed to be a shift in Barron's role in the campaign. "That’s the first time he’s done it. That’s the first time, right?" Donald Trump said about Barron's willingness to be recognized at one of his father's events.
"You’re pretty popular," Donald Trump went on. "He might be more popular than Don and Eric," the former president quipped.
"We gotta talk about this. Hey Don, we gotta talk about this. So Barron, it’s good to have you," Donald Trump said before adding that Barron "had such a nice, easy life. Now, it’s a little bit changed."
This could mark a shift in Barron's public role as the young man recently reached the age of adulthood. Previously, he had declined to act as a delegate at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee that begins next week, People reported.
Many believe that former first lady Melania Trump helped shield Barron from the ugliness of politics until now. Barron was only nine years old when his father first took office after a contentious campaign that became an all-out character assault during the administration.
Melania Trump's instinct was to shield her son from the media attacks and scrutiny and with good reason. Now, one source says the 54-year-old intends to continue to protect Barron as much as she's able to given his age.
"Melania will keep her hand on Barron’s future just as much going forward as she has throughout his early and current school years. He is her world," the source said.
"She is proud of him, and she is the primary decision maker on Barron and his future." Still, the source said that Melania Trump "wants him to be happy and settled in his future endeavors" while she gives Barron room "to pursue what he wants to do."
For all of the public smears about Donald Trump that the leftists lob at him, it's clear the family is strong and supportive. It's nice to see another Trump child out in the world, and perhaps Barron will one day seek public office just like his dad.
