Why Didn’t Barron Trump Attend the RNC? Melania Warned of His 'Prior Commitments'

Barron Trump, Donald Trump's youngest son, did not appear at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee — making him the only of Donald’s five children absent from the event.

Barron, 18, remained largely shielded from his father’s political endeavors throughout his teenage years, but still attended the 2016 and 2020 conventions.

The recent high school graduate made an appearance at his father’s campaign rally in Doral, Fla. on July 9 — his first time joining Donald on the campaign trail — leading many to believe he would have a stronger political presence moving forward.

In May, Barron declined an opportunity to serve as an at-large delegate for Florida at the RNC, citing “prior commitments” in a statement made by his mother, Melania Trump.

“While Barron is honored to have been chosen as a delegate by the Florida Republican Party, he regretfully declines to participate due to prior commitments,” Melania said in the statement on Friday, May 10.

PEOPLE reached out to Melania's spokesperson after the RNC for further comment on his absence.

Around the same time that Barron was selected as a delegate (three of his older half-siblings were also chosen), Donald told a Philadelphia radio station that his son "does like politics" and offers political advice sometimes.

"It's sort of funny. He'll tell me sometimes, 'Dad, this is what you have to do,' " Donald said during the May 10 appearance on Kayal and Company on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT.

Three of Donald’s other children — Donald Jr., Eric and Tiffany — were all present at the RNC throughout the week, while Melania and Ivanka attended the final night of the convention.

Melania and Ivanka have each been noticeably distant from Donald's 2024 presidential campaign, despite having official roles in his previous administration.

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Barron, who spent his pre-teen years in the White House, has had his privacy protected throughout most of his life. A source told PEOPLE in March 2023 that his mother Melania considers Barron “a first priority” in her life.

"She has always put him first," the source said. "She is a good mother."