Barron Trump Turns 19 as NYU Goes on Spring Break. Why Sources Say He’s an ‘Old Soul’…see more 👇

Barron Trump Turns 19 as NYU Goes on Spring Break. Why Sources Say He’s an ‘Old Soul’…see more 👇

The youngest son of Donald Trump had an eventful year after turning 18, including taking a more visible role in his family’s politics and returning to New York City for college

Barron Trump arrives to the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th president of the United States.

Barron Trump arrives to the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th president of the United States
Barron Trump is celebrating his birthday as New York University prepares for spring break, marking the end of a chaotic year for the college’s most famous attendee.

The youngest son of President Donald Trump turned 19 on Thursday, March 20, but sources tell PEOPLE that the aspiring businessman has “seen a lot” compared to his college-aged peers.

Barron is the only child of the president and his third wife, Melania Trump, who was largely hidden from the spotlight before graduating high school in May. Though he remains less visible than his much-older siblings, those in the Trump family’s orbit have had more opportunities to get to know the first son amid his father’s political comeback.

Related: Barron Trump, 18, Already Has a Business Plan: ‘He Understands What People His Age Are Looking For’ (Exclusive Source)

One social source tells PEOPLE that Barron is “an old soul who is smart, well-spoken and well-read.”

“He has lived through experiences others his age haven’t,” the source continues, suggesting that the European influence from his mother and maternal grandparents deserve some credit. “He is well-grounded, he has seen a lot and he knows who he is.”

Melania was raised by her parents, Viktor and Amalija Knavs, in what is now Slovenia, and the source attributes that to Barron’s “old world manners.”

Related: Melania Trump Says Her Late Mom Moved from Slovenia to Be Close to Barron: ‘She Was a Second Mother’

Group portrait of, left to right, Amalija Knavs, Donald Trump, Melania Trump, Barron Trump, Santa Claus, and Viktor Knavs on Christmas Day at the Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, December 25, 2008.
Davidoff Studios/Getty (L to R) Amalija Knavs, Donald Trump, Melania Trump, Barron Trump, Santa Claus, and Viktor Knavs at Mar-a-Lago on Christmas Day 2008
A Palm Beach source, who is European, tells PEOPLE that Barron “has more characteristics of a European than an American.”

“He isn’t as aggressive as many of his age when they are in their own social circles. He is someone who listens before talking, and is super polite,” the European source adds.

The NYU freshman was still raised as a Trump, however, and the first source notes that he sometimes harnesses his father’s personality for “schmoozing” and “small talk.”

Related: Barron Trump Is a ‘Ladies Man’ at New York University, Source Says: ‘Even Liberal People Like Him’ (Exclusive)

Barron Trump, son of former US President Donald Trump, during a campaign event at Trump National Doral Golf Club in Miami, Florida, US, on Tuesday, July 9, 2024.
Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg/Getty

Barron Trump attends his father’s 2024 campaign rally in Miami on July 9
A political source adds that while it’s possible Barron would eventually be interested in following his father into politics, at the moment, “Barron is anxious to form his own companies and make money.”

“He shares that enthusiasm with his father, which comes as no surprise,” that source says. “Barron, in my opinion, knows what he wants.”

Related: Donald Trump Says Son Barron, 18, ‘Likes Politics’ as the High School Senior Is Named a Florida Delegate

Melania Trump (L) looks at her son Barron Trump after U.S. President Donald Trump delivered his acceptance speech for the Republican presidential nomination on the South Lawn of the White House
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Melania and Barron Trump at the White House in 2020
During Donald’s first term, Barron was mostly kept out of the spotlight to have as normal a childhood as possible. He emerged from the shadows during the 2024 presidential election, standing at 6 feet, 7 inches tall.

Barron attended his first political rally for his father’s campaign in July 2024, where the president praised his son in front of the crowd.

“You’re pretty popular, he might be more popular than Don and Eric,” Donald said. “So Barron, it’s good to have you. [He’s] had such a nice, easy life. Now, it’s a little bit changed.”

Related: Barron Trump, Who Was 10 When His Father Donald Became President, Returns to Inaugural Stage at 18

Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump arrives to speak with former first lady Melania Trump and Barron Trump during an election night event at the Palm Beach Convention Center on November 06, 2024 in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Joe

Barron Trump enters an election night event with his parents on Nov. 6, 2024
As for his schooling, sources tell PEOPLE that Barron — who travels with a Secret Service detail — largely keeps to himself at NYU, where he studies at the Stern School of Business.

“Barron is focused on his studies and doesn’t seem terribly out of place,” another source says. “He seems to have a button down collar mentality when he’s in the public eye.”

While the first son broke tradition by not attending the University of Pennsylvania or Georgetown like his father or half-siblings, it’s possible Barron felt most comfortable in New York City, having grown up for most of his life at Trump Tower in Midtown Manhattan.

“Once he goes out in the world and makes his own mark people will have a better idea of who he really is,” a Miami political source notes. “Now his parents have a big influence on him.”

Related: Why Melania Trump Will Keep Barron Out of Campus Housing ‘for Now’ as He Adjusts to College Life in N.Y.C. (Exclusive)

U.S. President Donald Trump holds the hand of his wife Melania Trump, as their son Barron Trump, look on after taking the oath of office during inauguration ceremonies in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Barron Trump stands near his parents at Donald Trump’s 2025 inauguration
In a September 2024 interview with Fox News, Melania said that it had been Barron’s idea to go to school in New York and continue living in the family’s penthouse.

“It was his decision to come here, that he wants to be in New York and study in New York and live in his home, and I respect that,” she said.

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She went on to call her son an “incredible young man,” adding, “I’m very proud of what he grew up to. His strength. His intelligence. His knowledge, his kindness. It’s admirable.”