Barron Trump is one milestone closer to forging his own path in the world.
The 18-year-old son of former President Donald Trump completed his graduation ceremony on Friday as his father and mother, former First Lady Melania Trump, looked on proudly from the stands. Barron donned a red sash for the occasion and strolled confidently from the athletic field where the ceremony took place for graduates of Oxbridge Academy in Palm Beach, Florida. A bystander captured video of his exit, as reporters and non-family members of the public were not allowed inside.
BARRON TRUMP RECEIVES HIS DIPLOMA 🔥 pic.twitter.com/djkYk6WW18
— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) May 17, 2024
In a post on X, the popular Melania Trump fan account “FLOTUS Report” congratulated the young man and posted several family photos from the event.
Barron Trump’s high school graduation today where Melania, Donald, and Viktor Knavs were all in attendance. Congratulations Barron! 🥳 pic.twitter.com/9lWnvjWisB
— FLOTUS Report (@MELANIAJTRUMP) May 17, 2024
The family event nearly came apart when the judge overseeing President Trump’s criminal trial in Manhattan said he couldn’t promise that Trump would be allowed to skip a trial date if it coincided with Barron’s graduation. Judge Juan Merchan eventually granted Trump a reprieve, allowing him to attend the Florida ceremony while the court recessed for the day.
Before heading off to college, Barron was nominated to attend the Republican National Convention as a delegate in support of his father’s campaign, leading supporters to speculate about whether the only son of Trump and Melania intends to follow in his father’s footsteps one day. Until now, Barron has largely shied away from the campaign trail. He and his mother have worked closely on selecting a college where he will spend the next four years, with insiders saying he strongly prefers New York University over the University of Pennsylvania, Trump’s alma mater. He is set to graduate from Oxbridge Academy in Palm Beach, Florida with the class of 2024 later this month, a ceremony that President Trump will be allowed to attend as a reprieve from his ongoing hush money trial.
In March, President Trump joined Barron for a private reception to celebrate his 18th birthday, People Magazine reported at the time. He is not expected to spend much time in the White House if his father wins reelection, according to sources close to Melania.
“Melania’s main job is taking care of Barron, and I think it’s possible that she will follow him wherever he goes to school,” the social source told PEOPLE. “Barron is shy and reserved, and she has been a good mother to him all of these years.”
The source added: “Melania is all about Barron and her family. She has always been family-oriented, and in addition to some of the charity work she has done, staying ahead of family issues is her priority. She has a good life.”