Inside Barron Trump’s Special Bond with His Grandfather After Family Loss
Barron Trump, the youngest son of former President Donald Trump and Melania Trump, has often remained a quiet presence in the public eye. Though his life has been largely shielded from the spotlight, especially compared to his siblings, recent reports shed light on the deeply personal and emotional ties he shares with his maternal grandfather, Viktor Knavs—particularly in the aftermath of a significant family loss.
In January 2024, Melania Trump shared the heartbreaking news of her mother Amalija Knavs’ passing. In an emotional statement on social media, Melania described Amalija as a “strong woman” devoted to her family, including her grandson Barron. “She carried herself with grace, warmth, and dignity,” Melania wrote. “We will miss her beyond measure.”
Amalija had been a consistent and loving presence in Barron’s life. Back in 2015, the Daily Mail reported that she frequently cooked homemade Slovenian dishes for him and often shared stories about her native country. Both Amalija and her husband, Viktor, chose to live largely out of the public spotlight, even as their daughter Melania stepped into one of the world’s most high-profile roles as First Lady.
Still, they were known to be present during key moments. The couple occasionally appeared at White House events and attended the Republican National Convention. But above all, they remained focused on family—especially their grandson. A source told People Magazine that Amalija and Viktor were “instrumental” in raising Barron, spending extended periods of time living at the White House.
A former associate speaking to CBS added, “There’s a unit within the family unit: Melania, her mother, her father, and Barron. They all speak Slovenian. And it’s kind of interesting—the Secret Service has no idea what they’re saying.”
While Barron has never given a formal interview and has maintained a very private public persona, reports suggest that his relationship with Viktor Knavs has grown even stronger since Amalija’s passing. According to a recent Daily Mailarticle, a family insider described Barron and his grandfather as “extremely close.”
“Viktor is very close to Barron,” the source said. “You’d often see them walking around Mar-a-Lago together—at least before Barron left for NYU.”
Following Amalija’s death, Viktor Knavs has kept an even lower profile, rarely appearing in public. Melania reportedly spends much of her time in private, and those close to the family say Viktor and Melania’s sister, Ines, are often with her. “They are very private people, proud of Melania and deeply devoted to her and Barron,” the source added.
At 19 years old, Barron is now a college student at New York University. While some public curiosity surrounds his future—especially about whether he might follow in his father’s political footsteps—Barron has shown no intention to step into public life for now. That hasn’t stopped the rumor mill from spinning about his personal life, particularly in regard to dating.
Former President Donald Trump recently claimed during an appearance on the PBD Podcast that Barron has “never had a girlfriend,” although he noted that his son is sociable and “gets along with people.” Rumors have connected Barron with Klara Jones, a model two years his senior, and even 21-year-old NYU student and influencer Maria Arana. But none of the speculation has been confirmed.
Interestingly, Arana herself addressed the rumors in a Vanity Fair interview, calling the whole situation “random” but adding that she wasn’t bothered by it.
Despite the growing public interest, Barron continues to stay out of the media and avoids interviews. Whether he will ever choose to take on a more public role or consider a future in politics, as some speculate, remains to be seen.
But for now, the bond between grandfather and grandson appears to be a quiet yet powerful source of support—something that has become even more important in the wake of Amalija Knavs’ passing. As one source put it, the Trumps may live behind closed doors, but family remains their unwavering priority.
