In her upcoming memoir, Melania Trump details the painful experience of her son, Barron Trump, being subjected to relentless bullying following unfounded rumors about his possible autism. The ordeal began with comedian Rosie O’Donnell’s public speculation about Barron’s condition, triggering a wave of online and offline harassment that deeply impacted the then 10-year-old.
Melania, in her book, strongly condemns the hurtful actions, asserting that Barron’s experience is a stark example of the irreparable harm caused by such behavior. While dismissing the autism claims outright, she emphasizes that there’s “nothing shameful about autism.” She reveals that the malicious nature of the attacks, coupled with the lasting damage they inflicted on Barron, made it impossible for her to accept O’Donnell’s subsequent apology.
The experience, however, spurred Melania to focus on child-centric initiatives, particularly in addressing online safety. In March 2018, she convened a meeting with tech executives from prominent companies like Google, Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, and Snapchat to discuss the issue. But, she was disheartened by the resistance she encountered from these executives.
Rosie O’Donnell, in a now-deleted X post, had initially claimed that Barron’s behavior exhibited signs of autism spectrum disorder, pointing to his mannerisms during his father’s 2016 RNC speech. Despite the backlash, she maintained her claims, supporting them with a video of a young Barron.
It’s worth noting that Barron Trump, now a young adult, has made his own mark in the public sphere. Standing at 6 feet 7 inches tall, he’s an athlete, a good student, and actively involved in Donald Trump’s cryptocurrency venture. This year, he joined New York University’s Stern Business School, indicating his own ambitions beyond the shadow of his parents.
