Barron Trump, son of former President Donald Trump, has officially started attending New York University’s Stern School of Business in September, accompanied by a significant Secret Service presence. This heightened security comes in response to recent threats against his father, elevating concerns for Barron’s safety.
The Sun reported that the additional protection for Barron, 18, has drawn attention as he tries to navigate his new life at NYU in light of multiple assassination attempts against his father.
Barron Trump, who began his classes at NYU in early September, commutes to campus from Trump Tower in midtown Manhattan. His choice to attend NYU had been the subject of much speculation before being publicly confirmed by his father, former President Donald Trump, weeks prior.
As Barron settles into university life, his arrival has not gone unnoticed. Secret Service agents have been seen shadowing him on campus, with one officer wearing a bulletproof vest under a pink polo shirt. Other agents carry ballistic plates and heavy backpacks, reflecting the heightened caution following security incidents involving his father in recent months.
These added protections follow two attempts on Donald Trump’s life. On September 18, a potential explosive device scare occurred at a rally in Long Island, New York. Though police later dismissed the threat, the incident sparked renewed safety concerns.
Three days earlier, on September 15, a man named Ryan Wesley Routh pointed a gun at Trump while he was on a golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida. Routh has since been charged and denied bail.
In another troubling incident in July, Donald Trump was shot at during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The shooter, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was killed by security, but Trump sustained a minor injury to his ear. These events have led to increased safety measures for the Trump family, including Barron’s visible Secret Service detail at NYU.
Despite the heavy security presence, Barron’s classmates at Stern have shown little concern about his arrival.
Rohan, an 18-year-old freshman, noted that the Secret Service gives Barron "space and breathing room," allowing him to move around campus without too much disruption. Fellow freshman Aaruush remarked that Barron, who is notably tall, stands out physically but has made an effort not to draw attention to his status as the former president’s son.
"He doesn't like to use that privilege and use that, I guess, prestige to influence other people," Aaruush said. "You know, he's trying to be as normal as possible."
Barron’s decision to attend NYU is a departure from the family tradition. His father, Donald Trump, and older siblings all attended the University of Pennsylvania. However, staying in New York was not a surprise to some, as Aaruush noted that Barron grew up in Manhattan and likely wanted to remain in the city.
Barron’s attire on campus has also been noted for its casual approach. He has been spotted wearing a white long-sleeved polo shirt, navy pants, and blue and white striped Adidas sneakers, blending in with other students. The presence of plain-clothed Secret Service officers, however, remains a stark reminder of his unique situation.
His decision to attend NYU was publicly confirmed by Donald Trump, who spoke highly of his son’s academic abilities.
"He’s a very smart guy, and he’ll be going to Stern, the business school, which is a great school at NYU," Trump said in an interview. Trump added that Barron had a "very high aptitude" and had matured significantly in recent years.
The additional protection for Barron may be here to stay, at least for the foreseeable future. A bipartisan bill passed in the House of Representatives on September 20 has increased Secret Service protections for Donald Trump, and these measures are likely to extend to his immediate family.
As Barron continues his first year at NYU, the balance between his high-profile family life and his desire to fit in as a regular student will be closely watched. However, for many of his classmates, his presence is hardly a cause for concern.
"I hadn't heard until I found out he was here," said Sloan, a 20-year-old student. "I wasn't following the announcement made prior about a New York school. It wasn't something I really followed or cared too closely about."
Barron’s ability to navigate campus life under these circumstances may serve as a test of how well he can maintain a semblance of normalcy, despite the constant shadow of Secret Service agents and his status as the youngest son of a former president.
