Barron Trump Made Headlines 5 Times In 2020 And Not Just For His Height

Barron Trump, Donald Trump’s 14-year-old son, isn’t an especially public figure. Under-18 members of the president’s family are traditionally spared the attention and criticism that comes with the office. This has largely shielded Barron from the attacks heaped on his family amid an administration steeped in controversy and government appointments for Trump family members.

Still, when you’re the president’s kid, it’s impossible to entirely avoid being in the news. Here are some of the times Barron wound up in headlines:

Catching COVID-19

The White House could only remain insulated from the raging COVID-19 pandemic for so long, and after Donald Trump tested positive, one Republican official after another revealed their own diagnosis. Concern for tertiary figures in the White House grew as staff and secret service agents were forced to expose themselves.

Barron was also a subject of concern and eventually tested positive. Thankfully, he wasn’t at too much risk as a healthy young man, and he got through his infection without expressing symptoms. "Thank you to everyone who reached out, and offered well wishes and prayers for our family. You remain in ours as well,” Melania Trump said.

Being defended from political attacks

In a nation with hundreds of millions of people, not everyone is going to respect the norms around president-adjacent minors. When Barron gets pulled into politics, the first lady doesn’t hesitate to call out the offenders.

After Food Network host John Henson insinuated Donald Trump wasn’t Barron’s father her spokesperson said, “As with every other administration, a minor child should be off-limits and allowed to grow up with no judgment or hate from strangers and the media.” The mere mention of his name in a Senate hearing by Pamela Karlan was enough to earn scathing remarks from the first lady.

Working with computers

COVID-19 class cancellations weren’t mourned by many teens, but Barron in particular had a hobby in mind for the extra spare time. Donald Trump told supporters that Barron was indifferent to school closures but enjoyed working with electronics.

“I wouldn’t say he sat up and complained about it,” he said. “He’s a genius with computers. ‘Dad, get out of here!’ Hey listen, I’m the president of the United States, Barron. ‘Dad, come on dad, can’t you see I’m playing with my computer?’ The guy talks to me, and he's working with his computer.”

Getting overlooked

While the First Lady is consistent with giving Barron discretion, Donald Trump does talk about him on the national stage. That means when he doesn’t, like on Barron’s 14th birthday, people take notice. Even his stepsister Tiffany Trump took the time to send him now-deleted well-wishes, and users on social media dished Donald Trump the same withering criticism they’ve offered him on other occasions when he’s forgotten family events.

Getting Taller

Like many teenagers, Barron is growing quickly. His infrequent public appearances and low media profile mean that people tend to be surprised when he shows up taller than even his parents. Thankfully, it seems that public commentators and the media have kept their responses to neutral surprise and support as Barron enters the last stretch of a closely-scrutinized public life.