Melania Trump will remain involved in Barron Trump's life as he enters adulthood, according to an exclusive source.
The former first lady, 54, is getting ready to celebrate her only child's graduation from Oxbridge Academy, but that doesn't mean she'll allow the 18-year-old out of her sight anytime soon.
“Melania will keep her hand on Barron’s future just as much going forward as she has throughout his early and current school years. He is her world. She is proud of him, and she is the primary decision maker on Barron and his future,” an unnamed source told PEOPLE.
Barron's graduation ceremony at the West Palm Beach, Fla., private school is set for Friday, May 17. With only one day left, the insider claims his mother feels it is more vital than ever to be there to counsel him.
“He is still young and has a lot in front of him. She wants him to be happy and settled in his future endeavors. She wants him to pursue what he wants to do. He is smart and has his own opinions but they are still being shaped,” the insider said.
Netizens have mixed reactions to the claims that Melania would be highly involved with Barron’s life even after he graduates. “He’s 18…you can let go now..officially a grown up,” one X (formerly Twitter) user said.
“If she really cared she get him as far away from Trump as she can,” another netizen stated. “Heaven help Baron,” a third X user shared. “Time to cut the ties,” another netizen added.
Others think there is nothing wrong about Melania still being a hands-on mom to Barron even after he finishes studying. "It's going to be a big day for the family as they celebrate together at his graduation ceremony," a fifth X user responded to one of the comments.
Barron is considering attending NYU, according to The Daily Beast, although the institution has seen its fair share of protests and arrests by the NYPD.
Donald Trump and several of his children attended Penn State. There have been rumors that Barron may join that tradition. Barron's future school has yet to be announced by the Trump family.
Meanwhile, Barron's father, Donald Trump, recently appeared on Kayal and Company on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT, where he discussed his son's hobbies, stating that the youngster "does like politics" despite remaining in the background of his family's political activities.
"It's sort of funny. He'll tell me sometimes, 'Dad, this is what you have to do. 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,” the 77-year-old former president said during the May 10 radio interview.
Barron will be "going to college" after graduating from high school, according to a former “The Apprentice” contestant. On Monday, the 18-year-old was selected as an at-large delegate to represent Florida at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in July. But, shortly after the news came, Melania declared that he would decline the offer
“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 office said in a statement shared with PEOPLE.
In March 2023, an informant told PEOPLE that Melania has always been "very protective" of her only child.
"Melania's friends are her family members. She is a doting mother to Barron and very protective of him. This is nothing new." Barron has always been a first priority in [Melania's] life. Of course she is worried and concerned about [Donald's] legal issues but she has not done anything more to protect Barron now than she ever did. She has always put him first. She is a good mother,” a PalmBeach insider said.
Barron's future plans come as his father is vying for a third presidential term and spends four days a week in Manhattan criminal court.
The former president is being charged on 34 felony counts related to an alleged plot to conceal hush money payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in 2016. Daniels alleges she had an affair with Donald shortly after Barron's birth, something the former president continues to deny.
Business Times has reached out to Melania Trump for comments.
