Melania Trump says that even though her son Barron is now 19, she believes parenting doesn’t suddenly become hands-off once a child turns 18.
During a Thursday, January 29, appearance on Mornings With Maria to promote her new documentary, the first lady, 55, told Fox Business anchor Maria Bartiromo that a parent has to stay constantly present. “You need to be there for a child nonstop,” she said.
“Especially when they need you, especially at that age that Baron is,” she added.
Melania Says Barron Has Become More Engaged in Politics
In the same interview, Melania also spoke about Barron’s growing interest in his father President Donald Trump’s political world, saying that involvement has increased during the president’s second term.
Barron was 10 years old when Donald Trump was elected in 2016. Now, Melania says, her son follows politics closely and even weighs in at home.
“He understands politics, he gives advice to his father,” she said, adding, “We talk about it so differently.”
Donald Trump has also spoken publicly about Barron’s input. In an interview in May 2024, he described his youngest son as sharp and increasingly opinionated, saying Barron would sometimes tell him, “Dad, this is what you have to do.”
Barron’s Life at NYU
Barron is currently in his sophomore year at New York University’s Stern School of Business. While he initially attended classes on NYU’s Manhattan campus, he later chose to live with his parents again and continue his studies at NYU’s D.C. Academic Center.
Claims He Keeps a Low Profile on Campus
Some NYU students have claimed Barron keeps his circle small and largely stays out of the spotlight. Kaya Walker, the former president of NYU College Republicans, went viral after describing him as “sort of like an oddity on campus,” adding, “He goes to class, he goes home.”
Walker also said one of her professors once remarked about Barron: “He doesn’t really belong here.”
Online Relationship Mentioned in Recent Reports
Melania’s comments about Barron needing her “nonstop” come amid recent attention on an alleged online relationship Barron developed with a London woman.
According to reports, the relationship drew headlines after the woman said Barron “saved” her from a jealous ex-boyfriend who attacked her in January 2025. She claimed Barron witnessed what was happening over FaceTime and contacted U.K. police to report that she was “getting beat up.” Court testimony this month also reportedly suggested Barron would call her at all hours.
