Melania Trump has broken her silence on long-standing speculation about her son Barron's health in her forthcoming memoir.
According to The Daily Beast, the former first lady's new book, titled "Melania," directly addresses rumors that her son Barron might be on the autism spectrum.
The memoir, set to be released on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, offers unprecedented insights into the personal life of the Trump family's youngest member and Melania's experiences as a mother in the public eye. In the 184-page book, Melania Trump categorically states that her son is not autistic.
She recounts a distressing incident from November 2016 when a viral video suggested that Barron, then 10 years old, displayed behaviors consistent with autism spectrum disorder. The video gained significant traction after comedian Rosie O'Donnell shared it on Twitter, purportedly to raise awareness about autism.
Melania Trump expresses her deep dismay at the public scrutiny of her son's behavior. She writes that she was "appalled by such cruelty" and firmly believes that O'Donnell's intentions were not genuinely about raising autism awareness but rather an attempt to attack her son due to animosity towards Donald Trump.
The memoir reveals that Melania closely examined the viral video, which highlighted Barron's hand movements and alleged "strange movements" during public appearances. She asserts that her son's behavior was entirely typical for a child his age and strongly refutes any claims of autism.
Melania Trump goes further to suggest that the incident had far-reaching consequences for her son. She writes:
Barron's experience of being bullied both online and in real life following the incident is a clear indication of the irreparable damage caused.
The book provides a unique perspective on the Trump family's private life, with Melania offering praise for her son's character and accomplishments. She describes Barron, now 18, as a "remarkable young man" possessing "a rare combination of intelligence, charm, and diligence."
While the memoir primarily focuses on defending and promoting the Trump family, it also touches on some potentially contentious issues. Notably, Melania expresses views on abortion rights that seem to diverge from her husband's political stance and that of the Republican Party.
The former first lady writes candidly about reproductive rights, stating:
Why should anyone other than the woman herself have the power to determine what she does with her own body? A woman's fundamental right of individual liberty, to her own life, grants her the authority to terminate her pregnancy if she wishes.
The timing of the memoir's release, just one month before the upcoming election, has raised questions about its potential impact on the political landscape. While Melania Trump's book largely supports her husband's legacy, her divergent views on certain issues could potentially influence public perception.
The memoir is published by Skyhorse Publishing, a company known for releasing controversial works, including books expressing anti-vaccine views and memoirs that other publishers have declined. It is being distributed by Simon & Schuster.
Melania Trump's decision to open up about her son's private life and her own experiences as First Lady provides a rare insight into the Trump family dynamics. The book addresses long-standing rumors about Barron Trump's health, condemns public speculation, and offers a mother's perspective on navigating the challenges of life in the political spotlight. While primarily supportive of Donald Trump, the memoir also reveals some surprising departures from Republican Party orthodoxy, particularly on the issue of abortion rights.
