Who is Trump’s favorite child? 5 times ex-POTUS fueled favoritism rumors
Who is the apple of Trump’s eye? 5 times ex-POTUS seemingly showed favoritism
(Andrew Harnik/Getty Images, Getty Images)
The most common lie parents would tell their children is that they do not have a favorite child. But studies tell a different story. According to a study by the National Library of Medicine, 70% of parents like one child over another. It might be the same even for former president and 2024 GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump. The real estate mogul has five children from three marriages. Donald Trump Jr, Ivanka Trump, and Eric Trump from his relationship with Ivana Trump. Tiffany Trump with second wife Marla Maples and Barron Trump with current and third wife, Melania Trump. Who could be the ex-president's favorite out of these five? The answer would vary based on his mood and the situation. Here are five instances where he fueled favoritism rumors with his children.
1. Ivanka Trump: The once-favored daughter
Ivanka, the second born of Donald, was a constant presence on her father's side during his 2016 and 2020 presidential races. She was also part of the Trump administration as a senior advisor to the president from 2017 to 2021. Don Jr and Eric once signaled she was the business magnate's apple of the eye. In a 'Triggered' Father's Day special interview with his father in June 2020, Don Jr jokingly questioned, "Which is your favorite Trump child, and why is it Ivanka?" The former president responded with a smile, "All the same, 100%." Although he added, "I'll even say you for purposes of this interview, but other than that, all the same." In July 2018, Donald indicated his bias toward Ivanka by announcing to the world on X (formerly Twitter), "My daughter, Ivanka, just arrived in South Korea." However, the wind seems to have shifted its course because the former first daughter has rarely been seen on her father's side during the 2024 campaign trail. Her latest appearance on the same stage with her father was at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee last week.
2. Donald Trump Jr: His father's No. 1 cheerleader
Don Jr was the left out one for a long time while Ivanka stood by her father's side. However, the position apparently changed since his sister kept a distance from the former president after her departure from the White House in 2021. The 2024 presidential campaign paved the way for the firstborn to be on his father's favorite list by being his top cheerleader and staunch defender at difficult times like the hush money trial. Don Jr's tireless campaigning and fundraising in the past months apparently gained some points as Trump selected Sen JD Vance as his running mate. The Ohio Republican was Don Jr's pick, which clearly signaled his father's appreciation for being on his side.
3. Eric Trump: The businessman
Eric, the youngest Trump from the real estate mogul's first marriage, apparently turned into Donald's business favorite after Ivanka disappeared from the picture. According to a 2023 Washington Post report, he is the one who talks to his father on a daily basis. The favoritism rumors siding Eric gained prominence when the former president installed his wife, Lara Trump, as the co-chair of the Republican National Committee earlier this year. "Lara is an extremely talented communicator and is dedicated to all that MAGA stands for," Donald said in a statement at the time. However, the Trump daughter-in-law denied nepotism claims in an interview with the Associated Press. "You'd be hard-pressed to find someone who has had as much political experience as I have in any campaign right now, and that's kind of unique to be able to say," she said in May.
4. Tiffany Trump: The overlooked one
Tiffany, the former president's only daughter from his second marriage, was not a constant presence in the family gatherings. She stayed with her mother, Marla Maples, in California after the couple split. Therefore, she became the often abandoned child. Despite appearing with her half-siblings for her father's presidential inauguration in 2017, Tiffany failed to be a favorite of Donald. "Tiffany and her father have sometimes gone for months without speaking, and she went a very long time without seeing him," said an insider source to People in 2018. Even the former president had indirectly signaled she would never climb the ladder to be the apple of his eye. For instance, in a March 2018 speech in Ohio, he said, "Speaking of a job well done, we have two of my daughters here today: Ivanka, who is working hard on infrastructure! Ivanka ... and Tiffany!"
5. Barron Trump: The 6' 9" one
Barron, the youngest one of Donald, was only 11 when he stepped foot in the White House in 2017. However, he did not become prey to media scrutiny at the time. Rarely seen at public gatherings and even hardly mentioned by the ex-president, he managed to stay away from the public eye. However, recently, Barron's height become the talk of the town. Speaking to 'The Implausive' podcast in June 2024, Donald said, "I have a beautiful boy, Barron. He's a big boy, 6' 9". 6' 9", yeah. And I couldn't get him to play basketball." The 78-year-old further gushed, "He plays soccer. He's a good athlete, too. Good student, good athlete. But he's 6' 9. Good looking guy, but he is a tall one, there's no question." Donald also missed a day of his hush money trial in May to attend Barron's high school graduation. Favoritism rumors skyrocketed after he was named a Florida GOP delegate, which his mother, Melania, turned down. However, Barron attended his father's campaign rally in Florida on July 9.
