Melania Trump has offered a surprisingly candid glimpse into life with Barron, suggesting her 20-year-old son may actually be happy to have more distance from her as the family struggles to find time together.
The First Lady made the comments during a 23 September appearance on Fox Business' The Big Money Show, where co-host Taylor Riggs asked how she manages family life while balancing her public duties, Donald Trump's presidency and Barron's college years.
Melania Says Family Time Is Becoming Less Frequent
Melania initially offered a simple solution to families struggling to spend time together: scheduling it.
'It's good to schedule, right?' she said, explaining that everyone in her household has demanding schedules.
She pointed to Donald Trump's long working hours, saying he can remain in the Oval Office until 9:30pm, while acknowledging that she is also busy with her own projects and responsibilities.
But her answer took a more revealing turn when she acknowledged that family gatherings are becoming increasingly difficult.
'It's less and less the family time. It's suffering because of it, but that's OK,' Melania said.
Her remarks provided an unusually personal glimpse into a family that rarely discusses its private routines publicly.
She Suggests Barron May Prefer More Space
Melania then turned her attention to Barron, who is now 20 and studying at New York University.
'Barron is already a young man,' she said, before suggesting that he may actually welcome having more independence from his mother.
'Sometimes he's maybe even happy that, you know, I just want to do my stuff. And that's OK,' Melania added.
Her Comments Contrast With What She Said in January
In January, Melania told Fox Business' Maria Bartiromo that parenting Barron still required her constant attention.
'You need to be there for a child nonstop, especially when they need you, especially at that age that Barron is,' she said at the time.
She also described him as an 'incredible young man' and said the family was proud of him.
Melania noted that Barron, who was then 19, had developed a greater understanding of politics and was even giving advice to his father.
Eight months later, her latest comments paint a different picture of family life, with Melania acknowledging that time together has dwindled as Barron has grown older.
A Rare Look at the Trumps' Private Family Life
Melania's comments come as she has returned to a more visible public schedule after spending periods largely away from the spotlight.
Her Fox Business appearance covered several subjects, including her work on fostering initiatives, her new Imperia programme and artificial intelligence. But it was her brief remarks about Barron that offered the clearest window into her family life.
The White House and Melania's lawyer did not immediately respond to The Daily Beast's request for comment about her remarks.
For now, Melania's comments point to a changing family dynamic rather than confirming any major fallout. As Barron moves further into adulthood, she appears to be acknowledging that the days of constant family time are becoming harder to maintain.
