Barron Trump Declines to Serve as Florida Delegate at GOP Convention

First lady Melania Trump (L) looks at her son Barron Trump after U.S. President Donald Trump delivered his acceptance speech for the Republican presidential nomination on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, on Aug. 27, 2020. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Barron Trump, the 18-year-old son of former President Donald Trump, has declined to be a delegate for the Florida Republican Party (RPOF), according to the office of his mother, First Lady Melania Trump.

“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,” Ms. Trump’s office said in a statement provided to media outlets.

Last week, Florida GOP Chairman Evan Power confirmed to The Epoch Times that Mr. Trump had been selected as one of several at-large delegates from Florida to the GOP national convention. The convention’s purpose is to officially nominate President Trump as the Republican candidate for the 2024 presidential election.

The Republican National Convention is scheduled to be held in Milwaukee in mid-July.

On May 9, a list of 41 at-large delegates from Florida was revealed, including three of Trump’s children—Eric, Tiffany, and Donald Trump Jr. Mr. Eric Trump will serve as the state’s delegation chair. Ivanka Trump, the former president’s oldest daughter, was not included on the delegate list.

This would have been Mr. Barron Trump’s first public appearance in politics.

The presumptive Republican presidential nominee and Mrs. Trump’s son appeared on the Florida Republican Party’s list of at-large delegates on May 9.

In an emailed statement, Mr. Power hailed the crop as a “great group of grassroots leaders, elected officials, and members of the Trump family.”

“The RPOF is ready for a great convention in Milwaukee, but more importantly, we are excited as we continue to lay the groundwork in Florida for success,“ Mr. Power wrote. ”Mark my words, we are going to win, and we will win big in November!”

Other delegates-at-large make up a notable roster, including individuals such as state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, state Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson, state Attorney General Ashley Moody, former state Attorney General Pam Bondi, state Rep. Randy Fine, U.S. Ambassador to the Organization of American States Carlos Trujillo, and Trump associate Kimberly Guilfoyle.

‘He Is a Smart One’: Trump on Barron

President Trump told Philadelphia’s Talk Radio 1210 WPHT on May 10 that his youngest son is “a smart one” who has shown an interest in politics.

When asked if the former president has warned Mr. Barron Trump about how “nasty” politics can be, President Trump said his 18-year-old son doesn’t have to “hear much” and has “seen it” for himself. Mr. Barron Trump even gives his dad some advice, according to the former president.

President Donald Trump (R) and his son Barron wave as they board Air Force One at Morristown Municipal Airport in Morristown, N.J., on Aug. 16, 2020. Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

“He is a smart one. He doesn’t have to hear much,” President Trump said. “But he’s, he’s a great guy. He’s a little on the tall side. I will tell you, he’s a tall one, but he is 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.’

“He’s a senior now in high school, and he’ll be going to college.”

Last month, the former president asked Judge Juan Merchan, who is presiding over his “hush money” trial, to give him permission to miss a day in court to attend Barron’s high school graduation on May 17. Judge Merchan eventually granted his request and said his court wouldn’t be in session that day, allowing the defendant to attend the graduation.

Previously, Judge Merchan was reluctant to allow the former president to attend the ceremony, which drew the ire of President Trump. This incident thrust the younger Mr. Trump into the headlines.

Mr. Barron Trump was only 10 years old when his father was elected to the White House in 2016. During his father’s tenure, he was mostly kept away from the public spotlight.

Representatives for the former first lady’s office and the RNC didn’t respond by press time to requests by The Epoch Times for comment.

Jacob Burg contributed to this report.