After years of staying out of the spotlight, Donald Trump’s youngest son, Barron Trump, 18, emerged as an unexpected online star earlier this year after he attended his father’s victory speech.
Almost immediately following the appearance, the world became fiercely fascinated by the six-foot-nine teenager, as millions across the web scrambled to uncover every intimate detail about his personal life.
Barron’s sudden thrust into the public eye was almost as quick as his retreat from fame in 2016 after his dad became president.
Donald welcomed Barron with his third wife, Melania Trump, while he was in the midst of running his real estate empire and already a huge media star, which meant Barron was propelled into the spotlight from a young age.
At first, the youngster seemed to have a knack for cameras; he appeared on his dad’s show The Apprentice as a toddler and his adorable personal instantly captured viewers attention.
Described as a ‘little Donald,’ Barron even once said that he wanted to grow up to be a business mogul like him, and between his natural ability to wow a crowd and his vivacious personality, many believed he had the makings to one day do just that.
But after his dad was elected as the President of the United States in 2016, everything changed.
While the youngster was used to a spotlight being on his family, it reached new levels after Donald entered politics, and he seemed to struggle with the added attention – most of which was negative.
FEMAIL rounded up everything you need to know about Barron Trump… from his political aspirations to his love life and NYU endeavors
Suddenly, the entire nation had their eyes on the family, and a then-nine-year-old Barron was unfairly subjected to a slew of criticism from the media.
Despite children of other political figures rushing to his defense – including Chelsea Clinton and Jenna Bush Hager – and the White House issuing a plea with reporters to back off, Barron retreated heavily from the spotlight.
During his high school years, Barron, who moved to Mar-a-Lago with his parents following his dad’s presidency, went through extreme measures to stay private.
But the mystery surrounding the teenager, who is now a freshman at New York University, only added to his appeal after he stepped out on stage with his dad for a rare appearance in November and suddenly became an online star.
Immediately, people wanted to know: Who really is Barron? What do we know about his personality? Will he embrace his newfound popularity and step back into the spotlight? And will he follow in his dad’s footsteps and become a political force or top entrepreneur?
As notoriously private Barron continues to spark intrigue, FEMAIL rounded up everything you need to know about him… from his political aspirations and how he helped his dad win the 2024 election behind the scenes to his love life and NYU endeavors.
A star from the start: Barron had a knack for being in front of cameras from a young age
Donald and Melania welcomed their son Barron in March 2006, one year after they tied the knot. They’re seen with Barron in 2007
They welcomed Barron when Donald was in the midst of running his real estate empire and already a huge media star, which meant he was propelled into the spotlight from a young age
Donald and Melania welcomed their son Barron in March 2006, one year after they tied the knot.
The real estate mogul wasn’t present in the delivery room because he thought it would be ‘easier’ for his wife.
He was the one to choose Barron’s name, however, as he explained on the Oprah Winfrey Show, ‘It’s a name I’ve always loved but I never had the courage to use.
‘I gave the idea to Melania and then I was going to take it away at the very end and she said, “You can’t take it away. I’ve been calling him Barron while he’s been in my stomach and you just can’t take it away.”‘
Two weeks after giving birth, Melania opened up about what Donald was like as a father on The View, and she revealed that he would get up early to take care of Barron every morning so that she could sleep in.
Barron (seen in 2008) was raised in a lavish New York City penthouse apartment and attended an elite private school on the Upper West Side
During his childhood, he appeared on his dad’s show The Apprentice and walked the red carpet with his famous family on numerous occasions. He’s seen with his mom in 2010
However, she joked that whenever it came time to change the newborn’s diaper, Donald would say, ‘It’s time to see mommy.’
Immediately, it seemed like he had a knack for being in front of cameras. He’s seen in 2010
Barron was raised in a lavish New York City penthouse apartment and attended an elite private school on the Upper West Side.
During his childhood, he appeared on his dad’s show The Apprentice and walked the red carpet with his famous family on numerous occasions – and immediately, it seemed like he had a knack for being in front of cameras.
And he once confessed that he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a ‘businessman’ like him when he got older.
‘To my left is Melania, and this is Barron,’ Donald said in a 2007 episode of The Apprentice while introducing the contestants to his family. ‘Barron, say hello to the group.’
The youngster, who was just 18 months old at the time, then said excitedly: ‘Hi.’
‘Barron will hopefully someday be a great entrepreneur,’ Donald continued. ‘Melania, what do you think?’
Barron once said on Donald’s show (seen) that he wanted to grow up to be a business mogul like him
Between his natural ability to wow a crowd and his vivacious personality, many believed he had the makings to one day do just that. He’s seen with his parents in 2015
‘Barron, what do you want to do when you grow up?’ she then asked the toddler, who responded with, ‘Business.’
‘A businessman, that’s right, like your daddy,’ Melania said. ‘And what is Daddy building?’
‘House,’ little Barron said, as the contestants clapped for him.
‘That’s pretty amazing. Just 18 months old,’ a proud Donald gushed. ‘Hopefully he’ll do well like [my daughter] Ivanka and [my son] Don Jr. has done.’
Going into hiding: Everything changed after his dad was elected as president
But after his dad was elected as the President of the United States in 2016, everything changed. Barron is seen in 2016
While the youngster was used to a spotlight being on his family, it reached new levels after Donald entered politics, and he seemed to struggle with the added attention. He’s seen in 2017
While Donald was running for President in 2016, he admitted that Barron, who was nine years old at the time, was not excited about the immense ‘changes’ that were coming to his life.
‘He has a very good school in New York where he has a lot of friends,’ Donald shared.
‘But I tell him, “If this happens, daddy will help people, and can help children like him,” and that makes him happy.
‘He’s a young boy who is nine-years-old and he is strong and smart and he gets it. He sees it.’
Immediately after his father’s win, Barron was subjected to a slew of attention from the media, some of which was not so nice.
In November 2016, the youngster became embroiled in controversy after Rosie O’Donnell posted a bizarre tweet in which she wondered if he had autism.
She re-shared a video that showed Barron in the crowd at his father’s election victory speech.
He was seen inexpressive, yawning, and clapping in a way that Rosie felt was indicative of his autism.
She wrote, ‘Barron Trump autistic? If so – what an amazing opportunity to bring attention to the autism epidemic.’
However, many people pointed out that then-10-year-old Barron had been forced to stay up until 3am that particular evening and his behavior was, in fact, more in keeping with a tired schoolboy rather than an autistic one.
Rosie apologized afterwards, writing, ‘I apologize to Melania Trump, I was insensitive in my [post]. I am sorry for the pain I caused, it was not my intent, I am truly sorry.’
Suddenly, the entire nation had their eyes on the family, and a then-nine-year-old Barron was unfairly subjected to a slew of criticism from the media. He’s seen in 2019
And while he seemed to have a natural star power when he was younger, amid the sudden barrage of negative press, Barron began to shy away from the spotlight. He’s seen in 2020
It was said that Melania’s lawyer sent a letter to the creator of the video that demanded they take it down from YouTube; it has since been removed.
Following Donald’s inauguration in January 2017, an SNL writer named Katie Rich was fiercely slammed online after she tweeted that Barron would become the nation’s ‘first homeschool shooter.’
She was put on an ‘indefinite suspension’ and apologized for her ‘insensitive’ post.
Afterwards, the White House Press Office blasted out a message to reporters begging them to leave Barron alone.
‘It is a longstanding tradition that the children of Presidents are afforded the opportunity to grow up outside of the political spotlight,’ it said.
‘The White House fully expects this tradition to continue. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter.’
After an article was published in August 2017 with a headline that read, ‘It’s high time Barron Trump starts dressing like he’s in the White House,’ Bill Clinton’s daughter Chelsea rushed to his defense.
‘It’s high time the media and everyone leave Barron Trump alone and let him have the private childhood he deserves,’ she wrote on X, formerly Twitter, about the then-11-year-old.
George W. Bush’s daughter Jenna also spoke out about it, telling People, ‘The truth is, obviously, Barron Trump didn’t ask his dad to run for president. It wasn’t his decision. I think kids should be allowed to be kids.’
Barron moved to Washington, D.C., after his dad entered the White House, and began attending the $40,000-a-year St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Potomac, Maryland.
And while he seemed to have a natural star power when he was younger, amid the sudden barrage of negative press, Barron began to shy away from the spotlight.
His private years in Mar-a-Lago: Barron went through extreme measures to stay out of the spotlight during high school
After Donald left office , Barron relocated with his parents to their Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. He’s seen in 2022
After Donald left office, Barron relocated with his parents to their Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida.
He began attending Oxbridge Academy, and practically left the public eye altogether.
And according to his classmates, he went to great measures to stay private while at school.
His high school pals told DailyMail.com exclusively that he attended classes under an alias and was subjected to a total social media blackout in order to ensure his safety.
Staff and students knew him as Barron but he was registered under the name Jack in school records and computers to thwart attempts to hack his personal data or disclose his grades.
Agents allegedly tailed the teen around campus, stood guard outside his classroom, and even escorted him to the bathroom.
He was described as charming and impeccably behaved, and was said to have a passion for soccer and video games.
‘Barron was very funny and sociable. He would start the most random conversations and could be very entertaining,’ a friend told DailyMail.com.
He graduated from Oxbridge Academy in 2024, and his famous father was in the crowd cheering him on during the big moment
However, they said he didn’t participate in school activities, attend parties, or even eat meals with the rest of the school.
‘Barron always went to the lunchroom to sit with his friends but he never ate any lunch,’ they continued.
‘He never specifically said why, just that he would wait until he got home to eat. It was a little unusual.
‘He was also very mysterious. He never attended football games or dances. I don’t think he met up with anyone outside of school or went on dates.
‘If he had a girlfriend, it was top secret we never knew about it. I’m sure he had fun in his own way but it was a bit of a shame that he didn’t get to have a normal high school life like everyone else.’
The friend said he never messed around or got into trouble; he did a combination of honors and honors seminar classes, the most academically rigorous lessons offered by the school.
He graduated from Oxbridge Academy in 2024, and his famous father was in the crowd cheering him on during the big moment.
Emerging as a star and political force: Barron has now become a social media sensation, and helped his dad win the election
After years of staying out of the spotlight, Barron emerged as an unexpected online star earlier this year after he attended his father’s victory speech
As Barron blossomed into a young adult, many wondered if he would follow in his father’s footsteps like he longed to do when he was a toddler.
Back in May, a source told DailyMail.com that Barron was ‘far more politically interested than people realize.’
‘I see all the attributes of a future President if he has the appetite for it. And why not? He has the Trump genes,’ they said.
The insider added that part of the reason he was so removed from the public eye during his high school years was because his mom Melania had fiercely shielded him.
But they said that as he aged she was giving him more freedom to come into his own.
‘While he was still a minor she zealously protected him and we knew very little about the details of his daily life,’ they explained.
‘I think he’s allowed to make more decisions for himself now. He can invite anyone to dinner he wishes. He’s slowly becoming more public.’
That month, it was revealed that young Barron had schmoozed a cadre of high-profile conservative figures during a dinner at Mar-a-Lago.
Powerful business mogul Patrick Bet-David said of Barron afterwards, ‘For an hour and a half we just watched Barron run dinner with stories, entertainment. Oh my God. Everything.’
He described him as ‘sharp, funny, sarcastic, tough – not weak,’ and branded him as a ‘freaking stud of a kid.’
In addition, it was reported in August that Barron served as his dad’s secret weapon to reach Gen Z voters during his 2024 campaign, and that the tech-savvy teen helped brief Donald behind the scenes on the new landscape of streamers and YouTube stars.
His half sister Lara Trump revealed in November, ‘Barron Trump is so cool. He’s like the sleeper. He’s kind of stayed out of the spotlight intentionally.
‘Barron makes us all look so little. He’s really smart, very entertaining, he’s his father’s son.
Back in May, a source told DailyMail.com that Barron was ‘far more politically interested than people realize.’ He’s seen on election night
‘He is going to do really incredibly things, there have been many times I’ve been traveling over the course of the campaign with my father-in-law in the car
‘Barron will call and say, “Dad, I have an idea of how you can get more votes, you need to go to this baseball stadium” or whatever.
‘He’s always throwing out ideas. We have to give Barron some serious credit.’
While he stayed out of the spotlight during his teen years, Barron has emerged as an unexpected online star in recent months.
After he attended his dad’s victory rally following his 2024 election win, fans began ‘obsessing’ over him online – and trying to uncover every detail about his life.
Afterwards, a video of him talking as a child went viral on social media, transforming him into even more of a star.
Many online users were shocked over the fact that he used to have a Slovenian accent.
The clip was filmed for a 2010 special on Larry King Live that Donald and Melania did, and it showed Barron, then four, getting ready to go to school for the first time.
‘I like my suitcase,’ he said while examining his new school bag and speaking with a thick Slovenian accent.
He then asked his mother, ‘I have to go to school now?’ who replied with, ‘Yes, first you will have lunch and then you’ll go to school.’
‘You can do reading, writing, and arithmetic,’ his dad chimed in.
The video has since been viewed millions of times and the sound byte of him speaking has even been used in thousands of other TikToks.
His life at NYU: College student Barron is now said to be a ‘ladies man’ who loves soccer and video games
Earlier this year, a teen named Maddie who claimed to be his ‘ex-girlfriend’ spoke out about their alleged relationship on TikTok
Amid his newfound popularity, many have wondered about the mysterious teenager’s love life.
Earlier this year, a teen who claimed to be his ‘ex-girlfriend’ spoke out about their alleged relationship on TikTok.
She shared pictures of her and Barron posing together as children in what appeared to be a school photo from the Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School in New York’s Upper West Side
The woman, named Maddie, claimed that she went to the same private school as him when they were younger.
She shared pictures of her and Barron posing together as children in what appeared to be a school photo from the Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School in New York’s Upper West Side.
‘For those asking, I went to school with Barron Trump, and he was my first boyfriend,’ she said in a TikTok video.
‘When Trump was elected he brought the entire class to the White House. We gotta save my bae.’
To support her claim of visiting the White House along with Barron, she featured a photo of her and her classmates standing next to former President Donald and First Lady Melania at the White House.
Ultimately, she said that it was the long distance that drove the couple apart after Barron left the city.
After followers asked what kind of person Barron was, Maddie gushed over her former beau, saying that he was ‘the best’ and ‘the nicest.’
‘For those asking, I went to school with Barron Trump, and he was my first boyfriend,’ she said in a TikTok video. ‘When Trump was elected he brought the entire class to the White House’
Ultimately, she said that it was the long distance that drove the couple apart after Barron left the city. She’s seen with Barron’s dad, Donald
A source described Barron as a ‘ladies man’ to People magazine recently. He’s seen with his dad on election night
In October, Donald divulged a rare bit of very personal information about his son after a podcaster inquired about his dating life.
‘Is he good with the ladies in school at NYU? Is he there yet?’ PBD podcast host Patrick Bet-David asked Donald.
‘No, I’m not sure he’s – I don’t think he’s had a girlfriend yet,’ Donald revealed. ‘I don’t think so.’
‘Every once in a while …’ he trailed off. ‘He’s a good looking guy.’
According to Barron’s fellow NYU classmates, however, he prefers to stay in his room and play video games rather than socializing with his fellow students.
Multiple students at the college told TMZ that they said the teen ‘spends little time on campus,’ always sits in the back of classrooms, and ‘moves quickly’ from the school buildings to his waiting SUV.
‘He hardly exists,’ one student told the publication.
They added that he was always surrounded by Secret Service members, which likely makes it difficult for Barron to have a normal college experience.
But there is one way that he has connected with his classmates: through his love of video games.
The outlet reported that Barron had ‘been asking NYU students for their Discord usernames and gamertags to play together online.’
Discord is a social media app used to connect and chat with other players of a video game.
As for his game of choice, it’s been said that his favorite is the soccer game FIFA.
In the end, his classmates described him as ‘chill’ and ‘friendly.’
A few weeks later, a separate source described Barron as a ‘ladies man’ to People magazine.
‘He’s a ladies’ man for sure. He’s really popular with the ladies,’ they dished.
