Trump supporters have been quick to defend the former president’s youngest son from public criticisms, though in recent years the media has been primarily concerned with how much taller Barron is than his father. The most contentious media speculation about Barron has questioned whether former president Donald Trump is his true father, rumors that similarly circled the Obama children.
In addition to parental doubts, which were rooted in transphobic conspiracies about Michelle Obama, Malia and Sasha Obama were subjected to sexist and racist remarks from both social media and news outlets throughout their father’s presidential run. A Facebook rant from a GOP staffer about the two girls even went viral back in 2014, with Elizabeth Laurent eventually stepping down from her role as Rep. Stephen Fincher’s communications director as a result of her criticisms of the then-teenagers. “You’re part of the first family, try to show a little class,” she had written (per ABC).
X users were quick to point out this double standard on the social media platform. “If anyone said anything about Barron Trump, the right screeched that the President’s children were off limits,” one individual wrote. “Yet many of those very same people had NO issues whatsoever attacking President Obama’s daughter’s [sic].” However, as we’ve seen signs that Barron is ready to step into the public eye, there’s no telling how the media’s perception of the young Trump might soon change.
