Barron Trump Attends His Father’s Florida Rally in Campaign Debut

Former President Donald Trump, former First Lady Melania Trump, and their son, Barron Trump, exit the funeral of Ivana Trump, in a file photo. (Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images)

The 18-year-old son of former President Donald Trump made his debut at one of his father’s campaign rallies, appearing at an event in Doral, Florida, on July 9.

“This is the first time he’s ever done it,” former President Trump said of his son Barron Trump as his son stood up and waved during a lengthy round of applause.

“You’re pretty popular; he might be more popular than Don and Eric,” he said, referring to his older two sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump.

“So, Barron, it’s good to have you. Welcome to the scene, Barron,” the former president said. “He had such a nice, easy life. Now it’s a little bit changed.”

The younger Trump did not make any public comments at the rally, instead only waving, giving a thumbs-up to the other rally attendees, and pumping his fist.

Following the conclusion of the July 9 rally, former President Trump posted photos of his son waving to the crowd and with his fist raised. He offered no more comments about his son.

The former president’s older sons and his daughter Ivanka Trump have been involved in politics since their father’s first campaign, appearing at a number of events and rallies over the years. Notably, Ms. Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, served in the Trump administration as advisers but aren’t currently involved in his 2024 reelection campaign.

His other daughter, Tiffany Trump, has made few public appearances with her father, although she spoke in favor of him at the 2016 Republican National Convention.

Mr. Barron Trump, who was a child throughout the Trump administration, has largely remained out of the spotlight since his father entered the political arena.

But there have been some indications he may receive more visibility at campaign events after he turned 18 earlier this year. The Florida Republican Party said that he would become one of the state’s delegates during the Republican National Convention, which will be held next week in Milwaukee.

However, former First Lady Melania Trump, Mr. Barron Trump’s mother, issued a statement soon after that he wouldn’t be attending.

“While Barron is honored to have been chosen as a delegate by the Florida Republican Party, he regretfully declines due to prior commitments,” the statement from the former first lady’s office said in a statement in May.

At about the same time, former President Trump said in a radio interview that his son sometimes gives him political advice.

“He’s a great guy. He’s a little on the tall side, I will tell you. He’s a tall one. But he’s a good-looking guy, and he’s really been a great student and he does like politics. It’s sort of funny, he‘ll tell me sometimes, ’Dad, this is what you have to do,'” former President Trump told Philadelphia’s Talk Radio 1210 WPHT in May, adding that his son will soon “be going to college.”

The former first lady also has largely remained out of the public eye during the 2024 presidential campaign compared with the 2016 contest. During an interview last year with Fox News, Mrs. Trump confirmed that she supports her husband’s reelection efforts.

Also during the July 9 rally, the former president appeared alongside Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), his opponent during the 2016 race. The former president has said in multiple interviews that he is considering Mr. Rubio as a running mate, although he told Fox News in an interview on July 8 that no final decision had been made.

Other than Mr. Rubio, Sens. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) and Tim Scott (R-S.C.), along with North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, were mentioned in the interview.

“The names that you mentioned, absolutely they’re under consideration,” former President Trump said, suggesting that he will make the announcement shortly before or at the convention.