Melania Trump has addressed a circulating conspiracy theory involving her son, Barron Trump, and Harvard University.
Barron, the only child of Donald and Melania Trump, has largely stayed out of the public eye, making only occasional appearances. However, this week, an unverified rumor surfaced claiming the 19-year-old had applied to Harvard and was denied admission.
Speculation intensified following reports that former President Donald Trump had instructed federal agencies to cut government contracts with Harvard.
According to The New York Times, the move could amount to a loss of roughly $100 million (£74 million) for the university.
The New York Post also reported that the Trump administration recently froze around $3.2 billion in grants and contracts with the institution.
These developments come after the administration took steps to revoke Harvard’s ability to enroll international students. On May 22, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that the university’s certification for the Student and Exchange Visitor Program would be terminated starting in the 2025-2026 academic year.
In a letter to the university, Noem offered Harvard a chance to restore its certification—but only if it turned over extensive documentation within 72 hours, including surveillance footage and audio from any protests involving international students over the past five years, according to Reuters.
Harvard has condemned the move as “unlawful”, stating:
“We are fully committed to maintaining Harvard’s ability to host our international students and scholars, who hail from more than 140 countries and enrich the University—and this nation—immeasurably. This retaliatory action threatens serious harm to the Harvard community and our country, and undermines Harvard’s academic and research mission.”
Amid this escalating conflict, Melania Trump’s spokesperson has stepped forward to debunk the rumor regarding Barron’s supposed Harvard rejection.
Nicholas Clemens, her communications director, clarified:
“Barron did not apply to Harvard, and any assertion that he, or that anyone on his behalf, applied is completely false.”
Currently, Barron resides in New York and is enrolled at New York University’s Stern School of Business, where he began his studies last September after graduating from Oxbridge Academy in Florida.
Melania has previously spoken about her son’s unique college experience, telling Fox & Friends:
“I don’t think he can be a normal student. His experience at college it’s very different than any other kid.
I’m very proud of how he’s handling it. He’s very strong and he knows he’s in a different position than other children.”
