At 18, 2 Meters Tall, Trump’s Youngest Son Was Strictly Protected; Did Melania Stop Him from Entering Politics?

Melania's Statement: "Delegate Selection, an Honor but... Regrettable"

The political debut of Barron Trump (18), the youngest son of former U.S. President Donald Trump, has fallen through.

On the 11th, Yonhap News, citing AFP and others, reported that Melania Trump's office announced on the 10th (local time) that Barron will not participate as a delegate at the Republican National Convention to be held in July.

Former President Trump and his wife with their youngest son Barron (second from the right).
[Photo by AFP/ Yonhap News]

Melania's office stated, "Barron is honored to have been elected as a Florida Republican delegate, but unfortunately, he will decline participation due to prior commitments."

Earlier, the Republican Party announced that Barron had been elected as one of the 41 delegates representing Florida at the convention, where the Republican candidate for the U.S. presidential election is officially nominated. Barron was born to former President Trump and his current wife, Melania Trump. He spent most of his childhood living in luxury in New York. He was 10 years old when Trump began his presidential term in 2017.

Afterward, Barron attended a private high school in Florida, but his private life has been strictly protected. Barron's half-brothers, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, and his half-sister Tiffany Trump were listed as Florida delegates. In March, Trump's daughter-in-law Lara Trump was appointed co-chair of the Republican National Committee. While Trump's relatives have been actively involved in the political stage, Barron has remained largely unknown.

A photo of Barron Trump captured at the White House on August 27, 2020. Photo by AP/Yonhap News

The Republican National Convention is scheduled to be held from July 15 to 18 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Former President Trump has already secured the necessary delegates for nomination as of March.

Meanwhile, ahead of the convention, former President Trump is strengthening his 'party control' through family members, but some members appear to be distancing themselves from his moves. Notable among them are eldest daughter Ivanka Trump, who served as a senior advisor in the White House during Trump's first term along with her husband Jared Kushner, and Melania Trump.

Former President Trump had said for months that Melania would join the election campaign, but aside from attending a political fundraising event last month hosted by the Log Cabin Republicans (a conservative group representing LGBTQ+), she has not participated in any significant events.

However, Melania, who was known as the "reclusive First Lady" for limiting outside engagements during her time in the White House, has mostly not accompanied former President Trump to various political events, including this presidential primary campaign. This contrasts with the usual U.S. presidential election practice where the spouse is typically as active as the candidate.