Barron Trump’s Next Chapter: College Life, Family Ties, and a Future in New York

Now 19 years old, Barron Trump has embarked on a new chapter of his life as a student at New York University’s Stern School of Business, one of the nation’s top-ranked business programs. His decision marks a shift from the educational path followed by his older half-siblings — Donald Jr., Ivanka, Eric, and Tiffany Trump — who all attended the University of Pennsylvania.

Barron, however, has chosen to remain close to home rather than move into student housing. Sources close to the family have shared that he currently lives at home, a choice both parents support. One insider told People:

“Living in a dorm in a college town isn’t in the stars for him at this point. Barron already has his own political ideas, and it all needs to be monitored in light of the situation.”

The source added that Melania continues to prioritize her role as a mother:

“Whether or not others think he is capable of being on his own, Melania feels it’s better to be around him as much as possible. I see that continuing.”

Barron is Melania’s only child, while Donald Trump’s other children are from his marriages to Ivana Trump and Marla Maples. The former president has said he would have welcomed more children with Melania, but she felt fulfilled focusing her energy on raising one — a decision shaped by their public lives and constant travel.

In her memoir, Melania described Barron as an “incredible young man,” crediting his independence and intelligence to the values she instilled in him from an early age. “I’m very proud. His strength, his intelligence, his knowledge, his kindness — it’s admirable.”

Though his path is far from typical, Barron’s choice to attend college in New York reflects a desire to grow academically while maintaining family closeness. Melania has said she hopes these years bring her son meaningful growth and perspective — a balance between the privacy he’s known and the independence that comes with adulthood.