Barron Trump Attends First-Ever Campaign Rally, as Donald Says His Son’s ‘Nice, Easy Life’ Is Changing

The 18-year-old joined his father on the campaign trail on Tuesday, July 9, ending his tradition of shying away from the political spotlight

Barron Trump, son of former US President Donald Trump, during a campaign event at Trump National Doral Golf Club in Miami, Florida, US, on Tuesday, July 9, 2024.
Barron Trump attends his first-ever campaign rally for his father, Donald Trump, on July 9, 2024. Photo:

Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg via Getty

Barron Trump is appearing to follow in his older siblings' footsteps after joining his father, Donald Trump, on the campaign trail in Florida.

On Tuesday, July 9, the youngest of Donald's five children made his campaign rally debut in Doral, Fla. During the event, Donald, 78, introduced the crowd to his recent high school graduate son, who turned 18 in March.

“Barron Trump! This is the first time he’s ever done it, Barron,” the former president told his supporters, according to The Hill

U.S. President Donald Trump waves to supporters as he walks the parade route with first lady Melania Trump and son Barron Trump after being sworn in at the 58th Presidential Inauguration
Trump family, January 2017.

Evan Vucci - Pool/Getty

Barron was recently selected alongside his half-siblings to serve as a delegate at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, which was set to be his most prominent role in politics to date. But on May 10, the Office of Melania Trump said in a statement that the teen would no longer be participating

“While Barron is honored to have been chosen as a delegate by the Florida Republican Party, he regretfully declines to participate due to prior commitments,” Melania's statement read.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

During his first-ever rally appearance on Tuesday, however, Barron appeared happy to participate. In photos shared to his father's Truth Social app, he was seen smiling as he waved his fist in the air. 

“That’s the first time he’s done it. That’s the first time, right?” Donald said of his youngest son.

Donald Trump and his son Barron Trump attend the funeral of former first lady Melania Trump's mother Amalija Knavs
Donald and Barron Trump on Jan. 18, 2024.

GIORGIO VIERA/AFP via Getty Images

Donald shares his oldest three children with late ex-wife Ivana Trump, and had Tiffany with ex-wife Marla Maples. Barron is the only child he shares with his current wife, Melania.

“You’re pretty popular, he might be more popular than Don and Eric, we gotta talk about this," Trump jokingly said about Barron on Tuesday, comparing him to his two oldest sons. "Hey Don, we gotta talk about this."

“So Barron, it’s good to have you,” Donald continued, adding that Barron “had such a nice, easy life."

"Now, it’s a little bit changed," he added.

Donald previously said during a radio interview that Barron — who was largely absent from public view during the Trump presidency, due to his young age — enjoys politics and offers campaign advice from time to time.

"It's sort of funny. He'll tell me sometimes, 'Dad, this is what you have to do,'" Donald said during the May 10 appearance on Kayal and Company on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT.

U.S. President Donald Trump stands with his son Barron Trump
Donald Trump stands with his son Barron Trump, January 2017.

Mark Wilson/Getty

In addition to praising his own son on Tuesday, Donald used his latest rally to take jabs at his 2024 opponent, Joe Biden, who has maintained an aggressive campaign schedule amid concerns that he is too old to serve another term in office.

According to the Associated Press, the former president claimed without evidence that Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, is “running our government” and first lady Jill Biden “is helping.”

The event marked Donald's first public event in 11 days, and only his second since the presidential debate.

You Might Like

Related Articles