Did Harvard reject Barron Trump? Truth behind his college choice has sparks buzz online

Amid the ongoing US President Donald Trump vs Harvard University saga, internet is talking about his youngest son Barron Trump and his college choices. Rumours are doing round on social media that Barron Trump was rejected from top-notch elite schools like Harvard, Columbia, and Stanford.

It all picked up steam after Donald Trump casually announced in late 2024 that Barron would be heading to NYU’s Stern School of Business. This sidestepped the Trump family’s longstanding tradition of attending either the University of Pennsylvania or Georgetown.

Donald, Ivanka, Don Jr., Eric, and even Tiffany Trump had all walked the halls of those elite schools. So naturally, Barron’s choice seemed to be different to everyone.

“Guess what colleges didn’t accept Barron Trump? Harvard. Stanford. Columbia. Any college Trump is attacking — are the ones that with all of his money they said ‘no endowment will let him in,’” one Facebook user sparked the rumour further.

Snopes, a popular fact-checking outlet, stated that it couldn't verify the claims.

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What is the truth?

According to online rumors reported by Nicki Swift, Barron was allegedly rejected by three of the nation's most prestigious universities: Harvard, Columbia, and Stanford.

Some interpreted Barron Trump's college decision as a sign he was snubbed by the Ivy League, especially given the recent chilly relationship between the Trump name and those prestigious institutions.

However, there’s no concrete evidence to support the claim that he was rejected by any of them. In fact, Donald Trump stated in September 2024 that Barron had multiple options and ultimately chose NYU because he genuinely liked it. Melania Trump also shared that Barron preferred to stay close to home in New York and live at Trump Tower. For an 18-year-old who’s spent much of his life in the public spotlight, it seems like a grounded and sensible choice.

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But of course, the internet doesn’t sleep. A tweet by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse stirred the pot further. In April, he posted, “Can’t help but wonder how many Trumps got rejected by Harvard.” That set off a wave of posts from users claiming Harvard and other elite colleges “rejected” Barron — and that it’s the real reason Trump’s been so critical of these institutions lately.


One person tweeted, “Harvard needs to release Barron's application AND HIS REJECTION LETTER and then the whole world will know exactly why Trump is going after them.” Another chimed in, “Guess what colleges didn’t accept Barron Trump? Harvard. Stanford. Columbia. Any college Trump is attacking—are the ones that, with all his money, still said ‘no endowment will let him in.’” And someone else wrote, “Want to understand the feud between Trump and Harvard? They rejected Barron, also Stanford, and Columbia.”

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Barron's college life

Barron Trump’s educational journey has largely remained private, especially given the highly public nature of his family. After leaving the White House in 2021, he enrolled at Oxbridge Academy in West Palm Beach, Florida—a prestigious private school known for its emphasis on critical thinking and academic excellence. The school offered him a welcome sense of normalcy amid the intense public attention that’s surrounded him since childhood.

He graduated in May 2024, with both Donald and Melania Trump proudly attending the ceremony. Rather than following in his father’s footsteps to Wharton, Barron opted to attend NYU’s Stern School of Business, beginning his college career in the fall of 2024. According to reports, he’s been maintaining a low profile—living in Trump Tower, commuting to class, and doing his best to navigate student life, all while under the watchful eye of the Secret Service.

It’s clear that Barron is forging his own path. Whether or not he was admitted to schools like Harvard, Columbia, or Stanford seems irrelevant. What matters is that he’s pursuing his interests, staying close to home, and keeping his life as grounded as possible—no small feat given his circumstances.