Donald Trump's family life has always piqued public interest, and recent revelations add another intriguing layer. The former president's wife,
Melania Trump, and their son, Barron, reportedly speak multiple languages—something that has left Trump feeling sidelined.
Barron Trump, now 18, recently made headlines by stepping into the spotlight, a departure from the relative obscurity he maintained during his father's White House years.
In July 2024, the youngest Trump son made his campaign rally debut in Florida, capturing public attention. A significant part of this attention has been his multilingual abilities; Barron is said to speak English, French, and Slovenian fluently.
Melania Trump, a native of Slovenia, is also multilingual, often conversing with Barron in her native language. This linguistic bond between mother and son has reportedly left Donald Trump feeling like an outsider. According to Mary Jordan, author of The Art of Her Deal, Trump has expressed frustration over being unable to understand the conversations between Melania, Barron, and other Slovenian-speaking family members. “He has said it annoys him sometimes, ‘cause he has no idea what they’re saying,” Jordan said as reported by the CBS News.
Despite being married to Melania since 2005, Trump has not learned Slovenian, a decision that has seemingly contributed to his sense of exclusion within his own family. The situation mirrors that of the Secret Service, who also "have no idea what they’re saying," according to Jordan.
Melania, however, is proud of her son's linguistic abilities, although she shares her husband's view on the importance of speaking English in public. "My opinion is that more languages you speak, the better it is, but when you come to America, you speak English," she told People.
The conversation around Barron's language skills gained momentum after a video of a young Barron speaking with a Slovenian accent resurfaced online in August 2024. The clip, showing a four-year-old Barron, sparked widespread discussion on social media.
Adding to the family dynamic, Melania’s parents, Viktor and Amalija Knavs, have played a significant role in Barron's upbringing. The couple, who moved to the US after Melania's marriage to Trump, were heavily involved in Barron’s life, especially during Trump's presidency. A source close to the family revealed that Barron spent more time with his grandparents than with his parents at certain points. Melania's mother, Amalija, passed away in January 2024 at the age of 78, leaving a profound impact on the family. Melania honored her mother's memory, calling her a "strong woman" who was deeply devoted to her family.