Fact Check: Barron Trump Did Not Apply to Harvard and Chose NYU Instead
What We Know
Barron Trump, the youngest son of former President Donald Trump and Melania Trump, is currently a sophomore at New York University's Stern School of Business, where he started classes in September 2024. He is projected to graduate with the class of 2028 (Palm Beach Post).
There has been speculation regarding whether Barron applied to Harvard University, particularly in light of his father's public criticisms of the institution. However, a spokesperson for the Office of the First Lady, Nick Clemens, confirmed that "Barron did not apply to Harvard, and any assertion that he, or that anyone on his behalf, applied is completely false" (USA Today).
Despite the rumors, there is no evidence that Barron Trump was rejected by Harvard, as he never submitted an application. This clarification was made amidst ongoing discussions about the Trump administration's contentious relationship with Harvard, particularly concerning allegations of insufficient action against antisemitism (Economic Times).
Analysis
The claim that Barron Trump did not apply to Harvard and chose to attend NYU is supported by multiple credible sources. The statement from the Office of the First Lady is a direct response to the swirling rumors and serves as a reliable confirmation of Barron's college application status. The spokesperson's assertion is clear and unequivocal, making it a strong piece of evidence against the claim that Barron applied to Harvard.
Moreover, the context surrounding Barron Trump's college choice is significant. His decision to attend NYU breaks from family tradition, as his siblings attended either the University of Pennsylvania or Georgetown University (USA Today). This choice has been interpreted as a personal decision rather than a result of rejection from other prestigious institutions, further supported by the absence of any application to Harvard.
The reliability of the sources used in this fact-check is high. Both the Palm Beach Post and USA Today are established news organizations with a reputation for factual reporting. The statements from the Office of the First Lady provide authoritative confirmation, while the context provided by other articles helps to clarify the situation further.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
Barron Trump did not apply to Harvard University and has chosen to attend NYU's Stern School of Business instead. The confirmation from the Office of the First Lady, along with the lack of any application to Harvard, supports this claim. The context of his college choice further reinforces the conclusion that there was no rejection involved, as he never sought admission to Harvard.
