‘Furious’ Melania Trump ‘appalled’ over viral autism video of son Barron

The world watched closely as Donald Trump, along with his wife Melania and their son Barron, celebrated his swearing-in as the 47th president of the United States. Each member of the family had moments that caught public attention during the event, ranging from Donald Trump’s immediate executive actions to Barron’s quirks and Melania’s fashion choices.

The Barron Trump Controversy

Barron Trump, the youngest of Donald Trump’s children and the only child he shares with Melania, became the subject of renewed public scrutiny. The attention wasn’t new for the 17-year-old, who has faced online commentary since his father’s first term in office.

One of the most notable incidents occurred in 2016 when comedian Rosie O’Donnell speculated on Twitter that Barron might have autism. O’Donnell’s comments were sparked by a video showing Barron clapping in an unusual manner at the Republican National Convention.

O’Donnell’s tweet read: “Barron Trump autistic? – if so, what an amazing opportunity to bring attention to the AUTISM epidemic.”

The comment was met with backlash from Melania Trump, who described her anger in her memoir. Melania claimed that the incident left her “furious” and that O’Donnell’s comment was more about attacking her husband than raising awareness about autism.

In her book, Melania wrote:
“I knew the tweet and video would go viral and I knew how much it would hurt him. I was appalled by such cruelty.”

Melania clarified that Barron does not have autism, though she emphasized that if he did, it would be nothing to be ashamed of. After legal threats from the Trump family, the video referenced in O’Donnell’s tweet was taken down.

Melania and Barron Trump at the inauguration (Ricky Carioti – Pool/Getty Images)

Executive Orders and Birthright Citizenship

As Donald Trump’s presidency began, he wasted no time in signing several executive orders, which are legally binding directives that bypass congressional approval. One of the most contentious orders involved moves to end birthright citizenship, a policy rooted in the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution that grants citizenship to anyone born on American soil.

Barron Trump’s citizenship, however, is unaffected by these measures. Born in Manhattan in 2006, Barron automatically qualifies as a U.S. citizen due to his father’s natural-born citizenship and his mother’s status as a lawful permanent resident at the time.

The first lady was ‘appalled by such cruelty’ (Pool / Pool / Getty Images)

The Role of the Trump Family in the Public Eye

As the youngest member of the Trump family, Barron has often been shielded from the political spotlight by his mother, who has fiercely defended his privacy. However, his unique position as the child of a former and now re-elected president means public attention is unlikely to fade anytime soon.

With Donald Trump’s second presidency off to a controversial start, the dynamics of his family’s role in the public sphere will undoubtedly remain a topic of interest for years to come.