Barron Trump Makes Rare Appearance at Dad Donald Trump’s Presidential Inauguration

Barron Trump stepped away from his freshman year at New York University to celebrate his dad Donald’s Trump presidential inauguration alongside his siblings and mom Melania Trump.

By Desiree Anello Jan 20, 2025 5:01 PM
| Updated Jan 20, 2025 10:46 PM
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Watch: Inauguration 2025: Ivanka Trump, Barron Trump and More Must-See Attendees

Barron Trump is supporting his dad’s next chapter.

Donald Trump’s youngest son, who he shares with wife Melania Trump, made a rare appearance at his father’s inauguration ceremony on Jan. 20.

The 18-year-old arrived at the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. alongside his mom and siblings Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump and Eric Trump, whose mom is Trump’s late ex Ivana Trump, as well as Tiffany Trump, whose mom is Marla Maples, to watch the President-Elect and JD Vance get sworn in as president and vice president, respectively.

For the occasion honoring the 47th president, Barron looked quite dapper in a classic blue suit, blue tie and slicked back hair. And he was also joined by many other political powers, including President Joe Biden and wife Dr. Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and First Gentleman Doug Emhoff, as well as former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton.

This rare appearance comes amid Barron’s freshman year at New York University’s Stern School of Business. And Melania recently shared insight into how he’s been adjusting to college life.

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President Donald Trump's Family

“He will come and visit, yes,” she said during a recent Fox & Friends interview. “I feel that children, we have them feel they are 18, 19 years old. We teach them, we guide them. And then we give them the wings to fly. And I always respect Barron's yes and no and what he likes to do, where he would like to be.”

As for why Barron chose to pursue a degree at NYU instead of his father’s alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania? Well, he wanted to pave his own path while still staying close to home.

“It was his decision to come here that he wants to be in New York and study in New York and live in his home,” the former model explained to Fox & Friends in September, “and I respect that.”

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

After all, the 54-year-old often sees many similarities between her husband and her son.

“He is independent and opinionated and knows exactly what he wants,” she told Parenting.com in 2012. “He is a mixture of us in looks, but his personality is why I call him ‘Little Donald.’”

And, rest assured, even Trump was beaming with pride after Barron committed to the New York City school.

“He was accepted to a lot of colleges,” the 78-year-old told the Daily Mail in September. “He's a very smart guy, and he'll be going to Stern, the business school, which is a great school at NYU.”

To see more from Donald Trump’s inauguration, keep reading…

Barron Trump, Melania Trump & Donald Trump

Take them to church: Barron Trump joined mom Melania Trump (in a coat by American designer Adam Lippes) and his father, president Donald Trump for services at Washington, D.C.'s St. John's Church as part of the 2025 Inauguration Day festivities Jan. 20.

Ivanka Trump

Incoming first daughter Ivanka Trump also put on her Monday best for the church services. 

Jill Biden, Joe Biden, Donald Trump & Melania Trump

"Welcome home," President Joe Biden said as he and First Lady Jill Biden greeted the Trumps at the White House. 

Usha Vance, Doug Emhoff, Kamala Harris & JD Vance

Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff were also on hand to welcome VP JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance at the White House.  

Michael Boulous & Tiffany Trump

Pregnant Tiffany Trump and her husband Michael Boulos joined her father at the St. John's Church services. 

Ivanka Trump & Jared Kushner

Former advisor Ivanka was joined at the services by husband Jared Kushner and their kids Arabella, Joseph and Theodore

Elon Musk

Trump pal Elon Musk took in the view as he arrived inside the Capitol Rotunda.

Joe Biden, Amy Klobuchar & Donald Trump

Before delivering her speech, Minnesota senator Amy Klobuchar led Biden and Trump out of the White House. "While we have major differences of opinions on policy and the like," she said of chairing the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, "I want to make sure this works,” Klobuchar said of the ceremony."

Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, George W. Bush & Laura Bush

Among the former presidents and first ladies on hand: Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, George W. Bush and Laura Bush

George W. Bush, Laura Bush & Barack Obama

With wife Michelle Obama not attending, former president Barack Obama hung with the Bushes. 

Mike Pence

Trump's former vice president Mike Pence turned up solo for the ceremony. 

Eric Adams

New York City mayor Eric Adams worked the room at the Capitol. 

Janet Jones & Wayne Gretzky

Canadian hockey legend Wayne Gretzky and his wife Janet Jones were among those who decided to take a shot at watching the inauguration. 

Rupert Murdoch & Elena Zhukova

Former Fox Corporation chairman Rupert Murdoch (joined by wife Elena Zhukova) was among the billionaire businesspeople in attendance. 

Sundar Pichai & Elon Musk

Tech talk: Tesla CEO Musk socialized with Google CEO Sundar Pichai.  

Robert F. Kennedy

Trump's pick for secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy came to watch him get sworn in. 

Mitch McConnell & Elaine Chao

Kentucky senator Mitch McConnell held tight to wife Elaine Chao.

Jake Paul & Logan Paul

Influencer turned boxer Jake Paul was on hand with his brother, wrestler Logan Paul

Mark Zuckerberg, Lauren Sanchez, Jeff Bezos, Sundar Pichai & Elon Musk 

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg joined Amazon exec Jeff Bezos, his fiancée Lauren Sanchez, Pichai and Musk on the dias at the Capitol. 

Eric Trump, Jared Kushner, Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump Jr. 

Trump's kids with first wife Ivana Trump—Ivanka, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump—gathered with Ivanka's husband Kushner. 

Barron Trump

Trump's youngest child—New York University student Barron—traveled to Washington, D.C. to watch him take the oath of office for the second time. 

Christopher Macchio

Opera tenor Christopher Macchio was tapped to sing the National Anthem. "I was looking forward to seeing 100,000 people spread across the National Mall," he acknowledged to the Associated Press ahead of the events. "Unfortunately I won’t be getting that visual while I perform, but it’s still going to be such a tremendous honor."

Shou Zi Chew

Hours after TikTok went dark (and then restored service) in the United States, CEO Shou Zi Chew turned up at the inauguration. 

Tim Cook, Vivek Ramaswamy & Kristi Noem

Apple CEO Tim Cook posed alongside onetime presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and South Dakota governor Kristi Noem

Melania Trump & Donald Trump

He attempted to sneak a kiss under his wife's Eric Javits hat

JD Vance, Usha Vance & Donald Trump

Just before noon, Vance took the oath of office to become vice president while wife Usha and daughter Mirabel looked on. 

Rudy Giuliani

Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani captured the festivities. 

Donald Trump

Minutes after Vance was sworn in, Trump took his oath of office for the second time. 

Bernie Sanders

What, no mittens? Vermont senator Bernie Sanders ditched the outerwear for the festitivites inside the Capitol. 

Carrie Underwood

After technical difficulties forced her to perform a capella, American Idol's season four winner Carrie Underwood blew the crowd away with her rendition of "America the Beautiful".