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Barron Trump, the youngest son of former US President Donald Trump and Melania Trump, unlike most students, is studying at college under the close protection of the Secret Service while he is a freshman at New York University (NYU).
A very unusual college experience
At the age of 19, Barron is currently studying at the Stern School of Business at New York University, but his daily routine is far from usual. While other students sneak into class or grab a cup of coffee, Barron’s movements are carefully coordinated. According to reports, he moves around the city using routes maintained by the NYPD, using bus routes and separate entrances to avoid attracting attention.
Secret Service Strategy: Getting Lost on Campus
Security measures are continuing on campus, but everything possible is being done to remain invisible. According to the Daily Mail, Barron’s secret service staff swapped their usual dark suits and sunglasses for more casual student-appropriate clothing to avoid standing out.
Despite these precautions, Barron still became something of a curiosity on campus. Kaya Walker, former president of New York University’s College of Republicanism, told Vanity Fair that Barron attends classes and heads straight home, calling him “something of an oddball” because of the attention he receives. Eventually, she resigned after facing a backlash for her comments about him.
The challenge of protecting teenagers in the age of social media
Former Secret Service agent Paul Ekloff, who has defended the families of presidents including George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump, told The Independent that protecting a presidential child in today’s world, where social media instantly reveals the location, poses a serious security challenge. Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump, in an interview with The Independent, said that the protection of the presidential child in the modern world, where social networks instantly reveal the location, poses a serious security problem. Ekloff explained that if a student posts a photo of Barron at a party or event, it can quickly reveal his location, increasing the risk of becoming a target. He pointed to the similar scrutiny faced by Malia Obama, whose photos at Lollapalooza went viral, garnering widespread media attention. Ekloff added that these kinds of revelations are part of the growing threat to high-profile students these days.
Constant security presence in all aspects of Barron’s life
For Barron, these security considerations mean that he is never truly alone. According to reports, Secret Service personnel accompany him even to the bathroom, and he rarely appears in the campus cafeteria, if at all. One student told Vanity Fair that they invited Barron to play basketball, but although he seemed interested, the student felt that he was not completely free to participate in regular student events. They say that Barron spends most of his time playing games and watching football instead.
Barron’s presence still turns heads on campus.
Despite keeping a low profile, Barron still attracted the attention of some of his peers, partly because of his tall stature and good looks. One student told PEOPLE magazine that many at NYU—even those who don’t support his father—find him attractive. However, others noted that he rarely stays on campus long enough to socialize or participate in student life, the Daily Mail reports.
Security tactics behind the scenes
Protecting someone like Barron on a busy urban campus like New York University poses significant challenges. As Ekloff explained, it is almost impossible to ensure the security of a college dormitory, so the Secret Service has to rely on innovative methods, including plainclothes agents, surveillance technology and flexible security plans. Ekloff stressed that although agents try not to interfere too much in the lives of students, their main task is to ensure safety.
Most students get their first taste of independence in college,” he said. “But in this case, security measures are necessary — and that’s a small price to pay for protection.” Ultimately, Ekloff summed it up simply: “It’s better to limit your college experience a little bit than to be abducted.”