Former First Lady Melania Trump has disclosed in her forthcoming memoir that false claims about her son Barron Trump having autism were a key factor behind her decision to launch the "Be Best" campaign, a major initiative during her time in the White House. The memoir, Melania, set for release on October 8, sheds new light on the impact of rumors that circulated in 2016, following a tweet by comedian Rosie O'Donnell, and how they deeply affected the Trump family.
In November 2016, O'Donnell shared a now-deleted tweet that questioned whether Barron, then 10 years old, was on the autism spectrum. The tweet, which linked to a viral video analyzing Barron's behavior, read, "Barron Trump autistic? If so, what an amazing opportunity to bring attention to the autism epidemic." The video claimed to show behaviors allegedly indicative of autism during Barron's public appearances.
Melania writes in her memoir that O'Donnell's speculation about Barron, who is not autistic, led to significant bullying of her son, both online and in real life. "Barron's experience of being bullied both online and in real life following the incident is a clear indication of the irreparable damage caused," Melania reveals in the book, explaining how the false claims about her son fueled her determination to address online bullying through her "Be Best" initiative.
"I was appalled by such cruelty," Melania wrote, adding that she believed O'Donnell's tweet was less about raising awareness for autism and more about attacking her son due to political animosity. "It was clear to me that she was not interested in raising awareness about autism. I felt that she was attacking my son because she didn't like my husband."
Melania reflects on the intense pain she felt as a mother, describing the experience as "devastating." She notes that watching the viral video was difficult, as it made baseless claims about her child. "Someone had painstakingly compiled the footage and added captions like, 'His hands are moving erratically and aren't touching each other,'" she writes. According to Melania, Barron's behavior was entirely normal for a boy his age, and the video was both misleading and harmful.
Although O'Donnell later issued an apology, explaining that her daughter had been diagnosed with high-functioning autism and that her intent was not to harm Barron, Melania remained deeply hurt. In her memoir, she writes that no apology could undo the damage caused by the public speculation. "There is nothing shameful about autism (though O'Donnell's tweet implied that there was), but Barron is not autistic," she writes.
In 2018, Melania officially launched the "Be Best" initiative, which focused on promoting children's well-being, including online safety and anti-bullying efforts. The memoir reveals that her decision to champion the campaign was, in large part, driven by her experience with Barron's public bullying.
However, Melania also encountered resistance in her efforts to curb online harassment. The former First Lady describes in the book how she convened a meeting of tech executives from companies such as Google, Facebook, and Twitter at the White House in March 2018. Despite the meeting's goal of addressing children's safety online, Melania noted frustration over the lack of cooperation from the tech leaders, who, she said, were slow to act on the issue.
Melania's memoir offers new insights into Barron Trump, who has largely remained out of the public eye during both his father's presidency and the ongoing 2024 campaign. Now 18, Barron is attending New York University, and Melania has continued to protect his privacy. Describing Barron as a "remarkable young man," she writes in the memoir, "Barron possesses a rare combination of intelligence, charm, and diligence."
Melania has also voiced her unwavering support for her son's future, adding that she will continue to be involved in his life as he navigates adulthood. Barron, who currently lives in Trump Tower while attending NYU's Stern School of Business, is described as having a close relationship with his mother, with Melania suggesting she is not "an empty nester."
The memoir's release comes at a crucial time, just four weeks before the 2024 presidential election, where Donald Trump is once again a leading candidate. Though Melania has largely remained out of the spotlight during her husband's campaign, her memoir underscores the personal challenges she faced during her time as First Lady and highlights the role her family, especially Barron, has played in shaping her public advocacy.
In addition to addressing the bullying Barron faced, the memoir delves into other controversial moments during the Trumps' time in the White House. It also touches on Melania's views on issues such as reproductive rights, where she has notably diverged from the Republican Party's stance, particularly on abortion.
