A clip of the president-elect’s youngest son sparked a wave of trends on TikTok, where thousands of users reacted to the curious accent he shares with his mother and his particular choice of school accessories.
In the video, broadcast by CNN and recorded in Donald Trump’s office, a young Barron is seen carrying a briefcase saying: «I like my suitcase» and asking his mother: «I have to go to school now?»
The clip went viral after the Daily Mail uploaded it to TikTok , racking up more than 54 million views. It also includes a snippet of Melania and Donald Trump speaking to Larry King , where they mention that Barron has his mother’s accent because he spends most of his time with her.
Barron’s audio has already been used in more than 65,000 videos on TikTok. Many users find it funny that his accent matches his mother’s rather than his father’s, and point out the fact that he seems to prefer a briefcase over a backpack.
One TikTok user commented on a video with more than 6 million views: «Everyone at NYU is repeating this in the hallways,» referring to Barron’s recent enrollment at New York University (NYU).
A club-style remix of Barron saying “I like my suitcase” also went viral. More than 20,000 users used the audio in their videos, including a trend where they climb into a suitcase and close it. Additionally, edited videos on TikTok show Donald Trump performing the famous “Trump dance,” popularized at his rallies, to the “I like my suitcase” remix. These posts also racked up millions of views.
What is known about Barron Trump?
Barron, who was 10 when his father first assumed the presidency, has largely stayed out of the public eye, and clips of him speaking are rare. He is Melania Trump ’s only son and the youngest of Donald Trump’s five children. During his father’s first term, Barron finished his education in New York before moving into the White House in the summer of 2017. He rarely participated in campaign events, but is said to have taken a more active role in the 2024 presidential campaign by suggesting that his father appear on popular podcasts related to “bro culture” and the “manosphere” to attract young male voters, a key constituency for Trump’s victory.
According to the Washington Post , when an adviser suggested that Trump appear on these podcasts, he replied, “Ask Barron.” Barron recommended his father speak with Theo Von and Adin Ross , personalities with about 7 million followers each on Instagram . Von’s interview with Trump racked up nearly 15 million views on YouTube , while Ross’ broadcast had 2.7 million. Ross, who has publicly supported Trump, recently posted three photos on Instagram with the president-elect, including one in which he wore a “Make America Great Again” hat.
Key Background
Barron’s sudden rise on social media coincides with his admission this fall to NYU ‘s Stern School of Business . Some students posted often blurry images and videos of Barron on campus on TikTok. Melania Trump told Fox News that it was Barron’s choice to study in New York and that he is «enjoying» his college experience. She also suggested that her son might be living at home rather than in college dorms, as she said she doesn’t feel like an «empty nester.»
Additional context
Barron’s virality follows another trend inspired by his father, the » Trump dance ,» which was widely imitated on social media and by professional athletes. Donald Trump popularized this simple move of pumping both fists back and forth in his 2020 and 2024 campaigns, often to the tune of the Village People ‘s » YMCA . «
The dance was adopted as a celebratory gesture by athletes such as San Francisco 49ers player and well-known Trump supporter Nick Bosa , as well as U.S. national soccer team captain Christian Pulisic and several international athletes. While some see the dance as an indicator of Trump’s cultural acceptance, figures such as Pulisic defend the movement as apolitical.
