Melania Trump warned of ‘immediate consequences’ following leaked Barron Trump image
A leaked Barron Trump photo appears to have gotten on his mother's nerves, as she has threatened to take action against those responsible for circulating the snap.
Melania Trump made her thoughts known after it was reported that club members at Mar-a-Lago had taken pictures of the teenager, as he went around with his president father.
The first lady, like the rest of the family, has been a regular feature in headlines since Donald Trump began his second term in office.
Melania grabbed the spotlight earlier this year after her biographical self-titled film reportedly struggled to sell tickets, despite being one of the most expensive ever made.
Advert
Now, her goal of keeping her only child out of the public eye has been made obvious once again.
You may have heard a lot about Trump's youngest child, Barron, and even seen him with the president in public settings, with his 6'9" stature tending to stand out.
Now 19, his mother - who previously opened up on her parenting style - is still determined to keep him away from the media, unlike his older half-siblings - Donald Jr., Ivanka, Eric, and Tiffany.
There's a reason we haven't seen the towering teen much over the years, and it was witnessed at Mar-a-Lago around Christmas time.
Sources said that the incident was 'upsetting', as Barron was seen walking through the club's dining area, quiet, while alongside his dad.
A source told journalist Rob Shuter that he was 'solemnly following his father through the dining room. He was quiet, very reserved, wearing his usual blue suit, almost mirroring Donald. He didn’t smile or interact much'.
But while he was doing this, some club members took photos of him without permission, with some of these being leaked online - a serious violation in Melania's eyes.
A source told Shuter that Melania then made sure to get her message across on the severity of the situation, as they explained: "Melania made it very clear that Barron’s privacy is non-negotiable, anyone caught filming or taking pictures would face immediate consequences, including potential banning from the club."
The club has understandably come to Melania's side, with the leaked footage of Barron quickly becoming controversial.
Barron even relocated from NYU's main campus in New York to their Washington, D.C., campus seemingly to avoid unwanted attention and likely to be closer to his parents.
Members who were caught taking snaps of the teenager could be banned from the club, as the source said: "The message was clear: no cameras, no leaks. Private family moments stay private."
Fact check: Viral rumour Barron Trump bought $30 million of oil before Iran strikes
A viral tweet has claimed that, two days before the US and Israel bombed Iran and killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Barron purchased $30 million worth of oil.
It's led to allegations of insider trading, with the price of oil up nearly 50 percent since the war began, the Guardian reports. This is largely due to Iran blocking the Strait of Hormuz.
But if you're wondering why such major claims about Barron aren't splashed across the front pages of all major newspapers, it's because they're not true and there's absolutely no evidence to support them.
The account that started the rumour, which also claims Barron has profited from this major oil purchase to the tune of $20 million, does not appear to be a journalist or expert, and does not offer up any supporting information to back up the claims.
Snopes writes: "There is no proof that Barron Trump made millions by buying oil ahead of the US and Israel bombing Iran. The post cited no reputable report or linked to any evidence."
As for how a 19-year-old could allegedly make a $30 million investment, this is the only plausible part of the hypothetical scenario, since Forbes estimates Barron is worth $150 million.
His vast wealth is largely from co-founding cryptocurrency World Liberty Financial with his father and older brothers.
Topics: Barron Trump, Melania Trump, Donald Trump, US News
Joshua Nair