Chelsea Clinton Shows Class Defending Barron Trump. And the Trumps Ignore It

I know jack about Barron Trump, other than he’s now 18 and taller than his father. By more than a little which I’m sure makes Trump hate him for that alone. But we know very little about him and frankly that’s EXACLTY how it should be. His mom, Trump trophy wife #3 is famously protective of her son and for once I can accept her being furious when a total prick made his now that he’s 18 Barron’s “fair game” comment on social media. His best defender turned out to be not anyone in the Trump family, but someone from a rival political family. Chelsea Clinton!  And in the wake of her speaking up on Barron’s behalf not a peep from “Melanoma” or “Diaper Don” acknowledging it, with even the tiniest of lame-assed “thank you” statements.

I’m not a reader of People Magazine but they had a nice, short (it is after all People Magazine) write up of the controversy.  What happened is that former NBC exec Mike Singleton took to twitter/X this past Wednesday to post “Barron Trump turns 18 today. He’s fair game now.” Let’s just say reaction was not kind to Singleton and he took the post down. People’s article includes his statement to Newsweek about why he took down his post (which had included a photo of Barron) which itself to me seems pretty lame:

“I posted he was ‘fair game’ now, meaning, as an adult, he’s ‘fair game’ for criticism from the press,” the statement said. “Someone pointed out to me ‘fair game’ could mean fair game to be harmed. I don’t wish physical harm on anyone, so I took it down. I listen to the comments and criticism I receive.”

I call bullshit on that. I’m sure Singleton didn’t want any physical harm to come to Barron Trump. But I’m equally sure he was trying to stir up a chorus of critical, even mocking comments about the young man who has studiously avoided the limelight. Like members of most politician’s families he’s made some obligatory appearances on stage with the whole gang at certain events. However, again like so many other people both young and adults he’s not done any actual stumping. Making speeches about what a great guy/gal the candidate is. In other words, avoiding being an actual surrogate. THAT is why I say I’ve got no right to know anything about him other than the superficial stuff we know. That he’s graduated high school and trying to decide where to go to college. That he’s taller than average. Much more so as is evident from the few photos we have of him.

Other than that his life is none of our business unless he wants to get out there on the campaign trail and start opening campaigning for his P.O.S. father. It must suck to be the child of a politician and the level of suck increases exponentially the higher a parent(s) rises in politics. No one, not even the Obama’s children know this better than Chelsea Clinton who was only twelve when her dad was inaugurated. Despite attempts to shield her she took merciless shots in the media and not just from Fox. And yes, as if teen girls don’t have enough to contend with there were potshots about her being awkward, unattractive or even ugly.

That she bore it all to grow up and become the extraordinary person she is is a testament to her parents, Bill and Hillary Clinton. Whatever criticism one might make of their politics and or public actions (I’ve had plenty of my own) they raised as fine a person as any parent could hope to. One who is grounded. With solid values and a desire to help other people. Hard working. And classy, as she has once again shown. All this despite growing up in a fishbowl with conservatives in particular looking for any excuse to trash her.

Chelsea Clinton has a history of defending the kids, and even adult family members of politicians. We shouldn’t be surprised that the poster child (almost literally) on how NOT to cover a growing up child of a President would speak out on Barron Trump’s behalf, In fact, she started defending Barron all the way back in 2017:

Chelsea has a history of defending fellow political children’s right to privacy. Days after Barron’s father was inaugurated in 2017, she defended Donald and Melania Trump‘s son against social media trolls.

“Barron Trump deserves the chance every child does — to be a kid,” she wrote on Twitter at the time.

Now? Chelsea was on the view yesterday and co-host Anna Navarro got her to weigh in on this week’s kerfuffle. Navarro brought up the comments about Barron being “fair game” now that he was 18, and therefore it was okay to criticize him because he’s “no longer a child.”  There is no “qualification” in Clinton’s response in which she told Navarro everyone should leave Barron alone:

“I think he’s a private citizen. I feel so strongly that if you are a private citizen, you have an unimpeachable right to privacy and I think the media should leave him alone,” Chelsea replied.

Polite but firm. And from someone who as I said endured some sick and even twisted commentary during her years in the WH. This is a grown woman out there doing important work, and one who to “get” her parents endured a lot of unfair treatment from the media. Because of her work she does now accept that some criticism of her efforts is to be expected. Still she is quite clear that family members of politicians who stay away from the spotlight and don’t engage in politics/issue advocacy themselves have a right to private lives. That’s a distinction she made later during her appearance on The View:

When asked a follow-up question on Friday about President Trump’s other children, who have publicly campaigned for him, Chelsea said that it was a “totally different conversation” than the one about Barron’s privacy, because the older Trumps “put themselves in the public domain” and acted as “campaign surrogates” for their father.

You’d think Melania at least might have had a statement released thanking Chelsea Clinton for standing up for her son’s right to privacy. Of course, that would take at least a little bit of CLASS and unlike Chelsea Clinton Melania Trump has none. Zero. And Trump himself? We know how he feels when it comes to the children of politicians even if they don’t engage in political activity themselves. Just take a look at what’s gone on with Hunter Biden.

I say good for Chelsea Clinton for speaking out. At this point what I’d love is for some reporter to ask Joe or Jill Biden, but especially ole “Uncle Joe” about this. It’s easy to imagine the disgusted look he’d get on his face as he said something like: This young man had to put up with growing up in the White House. He never caused any trouble and was a good kid. I’m sure he’s turning into a fine young man but he doesn’t want anything to to with politics so come on man – leave him alone! Let him go off to college and try to enjoy the experience without taking cheap shots at him.

Oh my how that would set Trump off. Maybe Melania too would get triggered. Joe Biden out there defending THEIR son after Trump has gone after his (Biden’s) own son so ruthlessly! You know what? I think the media knows this which is why neither Joe or Jill Biden has had someone ask them the question on camera.  Journalists know damn well what the answer would be, that the Trumps would be triggered and that they’d wind up catching hell on social media from folks like you and me. Both reinforcing the “leave Barron Trump the hell alone” theme but also pointing out how they’ve played into Trump’s hands by amplifying ever Trump/GOPer “Hunter Biden” piece of crap story when there’s been no evidence Hunter has ever gotten involved in politics or his dad’s official actions.

Anyway, while I can’t imagine Barron Trump might have learned grace and class from his parents perhaps at school he picked up a little. And will quietly and privately reach out to Chelsea Clinton with a “thank you.”