In her new memoir, “Melania,” former First Lady Melania Trump directly addresses the long-standing rumors that her son Barron is on the autism spectrum.
The controversy began in November 2016, when comedian Rosie O’Donnell tweeted a viral video suggesting that Barron might be autistic. Her tweet read, “Barron Trump autistic? If so — what an amazing opportunity to bring attention to the AUTISM epidemic.”
This public speculation led to immediate backlash, as many felt it was inappropriate to comment on a 10-year-old’s health. Critics accused O’Donnell of using Barron to indirectly attack his father, Donald Trump, with whom she had a public feud. In response, O’Donnell later explained that her motivation stemmed from her personal experience with autism, as her daughter had recently been diagnosed. She claimed she intended to raise awareness, not to harm Barron.
Melania, however, saw the situation differently. In her memoir, she recalls the personal impact of these rumors, describing them as sheer malice. She felt O’Donnell’s comments were less about raising awareness and more about attacking her son due to O’Donnell’s hatred toward Donald Trump. “No apology can undo the harm inflicted upon him,” Melania states, noting that the online and real-life bullying Barron endured led her to launch the “Be Best” campaign.
Launched in 2018, the “Be Best” initiative addressed childhood welfare, online safety, and anti-bullying efforts, promoting a positive digital environment for youth. However, the campaign faced numerous challenges. Critics highlighted the irony of the initiative’s anti-bullying message, given President Donald Trump’s frequent use of social media to publicly criticize opponents. This apparent hypocrisy drew criticism and diluted public support for the initiative.
Melania also encountered strategic hurdles; her efforts to involve tech companies in online safety discussions met resistance, particularly during a 2018 White House meeting.
Reflecting on Barron’s life now, Melania shares that he is a freshman at New York University’s Stern School of Business. He chose to live at Trump Tower rather than in a dorm, preferring privacy and staying away from the public eye. She describes him as a “remarkable young man” with a sharp mind and varied interests, including sports and business.
The release of Melania’s memoir is timely, coming as Donald Trump campaigns for re-election. Though Melania remains primarily out of the spotlight, she emphasizes that protecting Barron’s privacy and well-being has always been her priority. The memoir also addresses her views on various issues from her time as First Lady, including her divergence from the Republican stance on reproductive rights.
Full of images featuring the former fashion model, the book offers a straightforward journey through Melania’s life, beginning with her Cold War upbringing in Yugoslavia, where her father was a successful businessman. It follows her move to New York at 26 and her life alongside Donald Trump.
Although her assertions are not as grandiose as those of Donald Trump, Melania unmistakably holds on to the misguided belief that the 2020 election was rigged. In her writing, Melania expresses that leading up to November 2020, the media, Big Tech, and the deep state were all intent on stopping Trump from being elected by whatever means they could. She felt concerned that the election would not be conducted fairly.
She talks about “suspicious voting activity being reported nationwide” on Election Day, conveniently overlooking the reality that around 30 judges—some chosen by her own husband—dismissed Trump’s election lawsuits based on their merits.
Additionally, she fails to mention the federal and state criminal charges against the former president in Washington, D.C., and Georgia related to his attempts to overturn his 2020 defeat to President Joe Biden.
Melania Trump is not the first first lady to part ways with her husband on crucial issues. Laura Bush also endorsed abortion rights while her husband, George W. Bush, campaigned and governed as an opponent of abortion.
Recent surveys reveal that Donald Trump, who has boasted that the constitutional right to abortion was eliminated due to the three Supreme Court justices he appointed, is struggling against Kamala Harris among women voters.
Framing the discussion in terms of personal freedom, Melania asserts, “A woman’s fundamental right to individual liberty, to her own life, grants her the authority to terminate her pregnancy.”