Former President Donald Trump and his large family have been in the spotlight now for decades, first as well-to-do New Yorkers about town and later as a brief but well-noted political dynasty. Following his time in the White House, Donald and his brood flew south and set up compounds in Florida. He and his wife, Melania, live at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, along with their son, Barron.
Meanwhile, Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, bought a property in Indian Creek, a small island outside of Miami nicknamed “Billionaire Bunker.” And while they have everything they could want, it hasn’t been an easy transition for the two since they left the White House, per Washingtonian. Still, other Trumps followed suit.
Donald Trump Jr. and Kimberly Guilfoyle moved to Jupiter, Florida, as The Palm Beach Post notes, into a $9.7 million home located only half an hour away from Donald Trump’s resort. Eric Trump and his family bought a nearby home in Jupiter for $3.2 million, per KIRO7. Even Tiffany Trump and her fiancé, Michael Boulos, have moved to Miami, People reports.
But while the elder Trump kids continue to attract media attention after leaving Washington, D.C., it’s the former president’s youngest child, Barron, who’s really stealing the show now. He might be the family baby, but he’s by no means the smallest. Barron is nearly unrecognizable after growing up in the White House and has been a much more sympathetic character in the media than other members of the family.
Melania and Donald Trump married on January 22, 2005, per People, in Palm Beach, Florida. While Donald already had children from his two previous marriages, the couple welcomed their first son — and Melania’s first child — on March 20, 2006. Interestingly, Barron Trump was a U.S. citizen before his mother was. Since he was born in New York City, according to the Austin American-Statesman, he was immediately a citizen of the United States. Melania, who hails from Slovenia, didn’t become a citizen until July 2006, after landing a green card in 2001.
Melania and Donald have always made headlines for their unique relationship. Say what you will about Donald’s political views, but the couple certainly seems to take each other in stride. In 2005, Trump told Larry King on CNN, “The way I look at it, there’s nothing like a good marriage. And there’s nothing like having children. … If you have the money, having children is great.” What was Trump’s perspective on daddy duties? “I’m not gonna be doing the diapers, I’m not gonna be making the food, I may never even see the kids. … [Melania] will be an unbelievable mother. I’ll be a good father,” he said.
What does Melania think about Donald’s disinterest in being a hands-on dad? In a 2012 interview with Parenting, she said of her husband, “He didn’t change diapers and I am completely fine with that. It’s very important to know the person you’re with. And we know our roles.”
Barron Trump was baptized in the same church where his parents, Donald and Melania Trump, got married the year before. He received the sacrament on December 8, 2006, in Palm Beach, Florida, at the Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea, according to Episcopal News Service. Melania’s parents and sister were present, as were Donald’s children and “five bodyguards,” according to People.
Donald himself is Presbyterian, according to The Washington Post. Interestingly, Melania’s religious beliefs were unknown for much of her public life, but after her visit to the Vatican in 2017, where she and Donald met with Pope Francis, the world discovered that she is Catholic.
In fact, during the visit, the pope blessed her rosary, a set of beads Catholics use to say a devotional prayer. She was dressed entirely in black and wore a black veil for the visit. While extremely private about her faith, this wasn’t the first time that Melania’s life was influenced by her Catholic background. Although her wedding was held in an Episcopal church, she walked down the aisle to the song “Ave Maria” while holding a rosary.
While Barron’s baptism was also in the Episcopal church, it’s unclear how much of his upbringing was shaped by either parents’ religion. For Melania, though, it’s evident that religion is deeply significant to her. After the papal visit, she said on Twitter that it was “one I’ll never forget.”
Melania Trump obviously thinks highly of Donald Trump and has made this clear throughout their relationship. At the Republican National Convention in 2016, she said of her husband, “He is tough when he has to be, but he is also kind and fair and caring. This kindness is not always noted, but it is there for all to see. That is one reason I fell in love with him to begin with,” per People. When Donald was first elected president, the hashtag “Free Melania” went viral, but it eventually became evident that she didn’t need any liberation. The two seem to understand each other, and by all accounts are much more united than people give them credit for.
This admiration for Donald has melded into the love Melania has for their son, largely because Donald and Barron Trump appear to be so similar. Melania affectionately called her son a “very strong-minded, very special” boy while speaking to Parenting magazine and said, “He is independent and opinionated and knows exactly what he wants.
Like Melania, Barron has also always admired his dad. When he was 5 years old, he “wanted to be like daddy,” Melania explained, describing the close bond between father and son. She shared that Barron enjoyed building things and drawing as a kid, and on their trips, he could recall “everything,” she said. In light of this, Barron’s nickname became “little Donald” since he takes after his old man so much.
Barron Trump’s access to the finer things goes beyond even what we might expect of a child born to a real estate mogul. Comedian Ellen DeGeneres gifted baby Barron a golden stroller that came with a little chandelier that dangled above it, People notes. While the gift might be a bit garish according to some folks’ taste, Melania found it amusing. “It’s fun,” she said of the golden gift. “It makes you laugh.” Sure thing, Melania.
Barbara Walters sent him a massive stuffed dog, per a later publication by People, and he was gifted with onesies sporting the catchphrase made famous by Donald Trump’s reality show, “The Apprentice”: “You’re fired!” When Barron was a little older and had begun speaking, Melania and Donald appeared on CNN with Larry King, who asked if Barron had fired anyone. Melania joked (we hope), “He did, yes, actually he did. He’s firing the housekeeper and nanny many times.”
Barron’s living arrangements as a baby were an education in lavishness. He grew up in the Trump apartment on 5th Avenue in New York City, and his quarters were on the “floor above his parents’ bedroom,” according to People. This space came “with nursery, kitchen, living room and quarters for a nanny,” as well as some for mom. If the Trumps were worried about baby noises waking them up, there was no need. “He’s a very good baby,” Melania said of her son. “He’s not like a crybaby — he’s calm, and it’s fantastic.” An entire floor in Manhattan ain’t too shabby for a baby.
As he grew into a teenager, Barron Trump revealed a love of sports. Melania Trump confirmed this when she spoke at Liberty University in 2018, according to The U.S. Sun, saying that Barron was “all into sports.” His team affiliation is notably international, as he was spotted at the White House wearing an Arsenal Football Club jersey, a soccer team hailing from Islington, London, England.
He even played on teams in the D.C. area. On September 22, 2017, sportswriter Pablo Iglesias Maurer tweeted that Barron was on the team roster for the D.C. United under-12 team. “Barron Trump is playing at RFK tomorrow. No, really. Seriously. Not kidding,” he wrote. Barron has also played for the Arlington Soccer Association’s under-14 team, SCMP reports.
In light of ongoing injury reports around the NFL, Donald Trump was asked by CBS News’ Margaret Brennan whether or not he would allow Barron to play football. “If he wanted to? Yes. Would I steer him that way? No, I wouldn’t,” Donald began, adding that Barron’s real passion is soccer. “And he actually plays a lot of soccer. He’s liking soccer,” he said. “I hate to say it because I love to watch football,” Donald went on, confessing that he “would have a hard time with” Barron playing the game because he’s “heard NFL players saying they wouldn’t let their sons” do the same. So if Barron doesn’t want dad to worry, he should stick to the non-American version of football.
While Donald Trump’s famous confession that he never changed Barron Trump’s diaper when he was a baby might not compare to a lot of people’s parenting experiences, Donald did stress that he liked a hands-on dad approach in other ways. “I love to feed the baby,” he told People in 2006. “Not because I have to, but just because I love it.
A lot of times early in the morning I’ll take care of him.” Donald explained that he doesn’t sleep for long anyway, so it’s not a problem. “Over the years I have changed a diaper, but not on Barron,” he added. Melania’s response was, “That’s my job.” While he might not be on diaper duty, it’s clear that Donald loves being a father. “Melania loves taking care of the baby,” he explained to People. “If we have more, it will be terrific.”
As Barron grew up, he became the typical reticent teenager, something that came up when Donald was the president. Author Jonathan Karl described an experience in his book, “Betrayal: The Final Act of the Trump Show,” where Donald spoke to reporter Zeke Miller about Karl himself. Karl quoted Donald as saying, “Jonathan is very cool … He is like my son.'” Donald then pretended to speak with his son: “‘Do you love your dad?’ ‘Uh, I don’t know.’ But he does. He’s too cool. The kids.” So we’ve got a hunch that Barron might be the shy type, at least with his dad.
Barron Trump’s relationship with his mother is vastly more documented than the one he has with Donald Trump. Melania Trump made sure that Barron learned her own mother tongue, so as to connect with her and her family. He “speaks Slovenian fluently,” GQ notes, and can converse with his maternal grandparents, who live in New York City.
As Barron became more of a public figure, thanks to his father’s presidency and previous celebrity, the media couldn’t help but notice his connection to his mother, since they were so heavily photographed. Bruce Durham, a body language expert, spoke to Express about Barron’s growing independence in light of his close bond with Melania. “[Barron] has a slight smile with his fingers splayed and thumb in the same position, showing confidence,” Durham explained, analyzing a photo of the two. “His mother sees this, and is happy enough to let him grow into this moment,” he added. “No hand contact needed this time — just direct eye contact and the smile of a mother that is proud of her son.” Barron is often at Melania’s side during major events.
Melania also puts Barron first, even before political protocol. The Trump family made endless headlines in 2016 for her refusal to bring Barron to the White House directly after Donald’s inauguration. Her delay came from a desire to allow Barron to complete the rest of his school year, The New York Times notes. Barron was only 10 at the time, and Melania wouldn’t budge.
