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By Anna Commander
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First lady Melania Trump dismissed rumors that her son with President Donald Trump, Barron, had applied to Harvard University in a statement to The Palm Beach Post on Tuesday.
Newsweek reached out to the White House and Harvard University via email for comment.
Why It Matters
Trump and his administration have cracked down on Ivy League institutions, such as Harvard and Columbia University, since taking office in January.
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The White House has accused the universities of allowing antisemitism amid pro-Palestinian student protests.
Among other things, the Trump administration initially withheld $400 million in federal funding from Columbia and stated it would not release the funds unless the school changed its policies.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also terminated nearly $3 million in grants to Harvard after the university defied a list of demands that included discontinuing its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, reforming student discipline policies, and implementing a mask ban.
What To Know
In the statement, the first lady said, "Barron did not apply to Harvard, and any assertion that he, or that anyone on his behalf, applied is completely false."
Rumors swirled on social media that Barron was denied admission to the Ivy League school amid Donald's ongoing legal disputes with the university over its policies.
Barron currently just finished his freshman year at New York University's (NYU) Stern School of Business in Manhattan. He started college in September before his father's presidential election win.
While speaking to Fox and Friends in December, Melania spoke about Barron's first semester in college, saying in part, "I don't think it's possible for him to be a normal student. His experience at college — it's very different than any other kid."
The first lady added, "He's very strong, and he knows that he's in a different position than other children."
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What People Are Saying
X, formerly Twitter, account "Anonymous" with over 5 million followers last week: "Trump is retaliating against Harvard for rejecting his adult son Barron Trump & for allowing students to practice their free speech to criticize Israel's genocide in Gaza, the regime tried to punish the university by eliminating its ability to enroll international students. Is being blocked by judge."
President Trump on Truth Social on Monday: "We are still waiting for the Foreign Student Lists from Harvard so that we can determine, after a ridiculous expenditure of BILLIONS OF DOLLARS, how many radicalized lunatics, troublemakers all, should not be let back into our Country."
The president continued,"Harvard is very slow in the presentation of these documents, and probably for good reason! The best thing Harvard has going for it is that they have shopped around and found the absolute best Judge (for them!) - But have no fear, the Government will, in the end, WIN!"
What Happens Next
It is believed that Barron will graduate from NYU's Stern College of Business in 2028.
Update 5/27/25 6:19 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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