\u201cBarron has inherited his father\u2019s interest in making money and a name for himself, and is well on the way to becoming an entrepreneur,\u201d a social source tells PEOPLE. \u201cHe is smart, focused and resourceful. He is always looking for areas that interest him and is quite ambitious for such a young age.\u201d<\/p>\n
The college student was reportedly the motivating force behind the Trump family’s multiple cryptocurrency ventures, which have earned them billions<\/a> over the last few years, according to Forbes<\/a>. As of September 2025, the publication reported that Barron alone was already believed to be worth a staggering $150 million, plus millions more in locked-up tokens that can’t yet be traded.<\/p>\n \u201cHe has been actively pursuing successful ventures for several years,\u201d the source says. \u201cTurning 20 is indeed a turning point for him as he gets older and wants to engage with projects that not only interest him, but will make him a lot of money.”<\/p>\n As the youngest and least public-facing Trump, Barron is reportedly motivated to prove himself amid the successes of his father and siblings.<\/p>\n “This is how to impress his family,” the source notes. “He wants to make his own mark.\u201d<\/p>\n “He has always thought about business and truly is interested in it like his father. A lot of this ambition has to do with his desire to look good to Donald, as well as to his mother. He is more gung-ho than most.\u201d<\/p>\n A political source tells PEOPLE that it’s Barron’s close relationship with his mother, first lady Melania Trump<\/a>, however, that truly sets him apart from the rest of his family.<\/p>\n \u201cBarron is a carbon copy of his father, yet he is blessed without the elder\u2019s brashness,\u201d the source says. \u201cHe is more like his mother with a European aloof and quiet sophistication.”<\/p>\n Barron is also 12 years younger than his closest half-sibling in age, Tiffany<\/a>, and grew up like an only child.<\/p>\n “He is different from the other Trump children in the sense that he is sort of a loner,” the source adds. “Growing up in the public eye and not necessarily feeling comfortable in it has made him stronger within himself, and at the same time, is driving his ambition. It\u2019s an interesting combination.\u201d<\/p>\n Front row: Tiffany, Don Jr., Eric, Ivanka, Barron and Melania Trump at the State of the Union address on Feb. 24, 2026 Barron attended classes on New York University’s Manhattan campus for his first year of post-high school studies in 2024; however, at the start of his sophomore year last fall, he transferred to NYU’s Washington, D.C., campus.<\/p>\n \u201cHe has been happy in Washington, where he has access to his family and to different options for his own future as a businessman and young entrepreneur,\u201d the political source says.<\/p>\n A second political source believes the youngest Trump son will remain in D.C. for the foreseeable future, because he has “mental security” and “a comfortable life with people looking up to him.”<\/p>\n \u201cHe also has super safety security right there, and is privy to business deals he may not know about if he were living in New York at school,” the source adds.<\/p>\n As far as completing his business degree, the second political source admits, \u201cWhile he probably doesn\u2019t need to finish to move on with his life, my feeling at this time is that he will graduate, and if nothing changes will likely do it from where he is.”<\/p>\n Remaining in Washington also keeps Barron close to Melania, which elicits mixed opinions from sources close to the family \u2014 especially a second social source who worries about Barron remaining “tied to his mother’s apron strings.”<\/p>\n \u201cI understand he is in an unusual situation, but he should enjoy a normal college life,” the source says. “He is a lovely boy with manners. He is kind to others. I just hope he will be able to live an independent life at some point. His 20th birthday is a good time to review this.\u201d<\/p>\n Melania and Barron Trump at a 2024 election night event The second social source does note, however, that Barron’s business decisions “for the most part are his. He has exhibited independence in business more than socially.\u201d<\/p>\n Business is where he will likely stick closer to his father’s footsteps, the first social source says.<\/p>\n \u201cBarron is interested in developing real estate in areas where he sees growth, especially keeping up with trends of younger buyers,\u201d the source notes. \u201cI think the next phase of his life will include property development as well as other projects that he has researched enough to know they will be profitable.\u201d<\/p>\n Never miss a story \u2014 sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter<\/a> to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer\u200b\u200b, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.<\/p>\n He’s also applying his Gen Z sensibilities to other projects with young entrepreneurs his age, like SOLLOS Yerba Mate drinks<\/a>. Barron raised a reported $1 million to help start the company, where he is a co-founder and director. The social source says he got involved through his father’s contacts; the project involves two grandchildren of a friend and donor of the president named Jay Weitzman.<\/p>\n “[Barron] is not immune to moving ahead with projects he has been lucky enough to have come his way because of who he is,” the source notes. “This is an opportunity that someone ambitious like Barron would jump on because of the other influential young people involved.”<\/p>\n![\"Front](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/people\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775597842_597_37aa0ecf00ff05c98bb1f6ebbb512790.jpeg\"\/)
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Credit: Mandel NGAN \/ AFP via Getty<\/p>\n![\"Melania](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/people\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/353f742c90b8a0b919895a619714d5a3.jpeg\"\/)
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Credit: Chip Somodevilla\/Getty<\/p>\n