One surprises from the first State of the Union address of President Donald Trump’s second term in the White House was not that it ran on for nearly two hours, or that it revealed just how divided Congress is – it was that Barron Trump turned up for his dad’s big moment.
The 19-year-old is the president’s youngest child and his only one with First Lady Melania, easily spotted at any event as he towers over his brothers and sisters, as well as his mom and dad, at a gargantuan 6ft 7in.
As the teen often avoids his father’s political events, he stunned many when he rocked up at the State of the Union in a show of Trump family unity alongside his mom and half brothers and sisters, Tiffany, Donald Trump Jr, Eric, and Ivanka.But despite showing up for his father Donald Trump, a lip reader did notice a moment of family rancor during the divisive speech, with Barron apparently giving Ivanka a rude response to a cryptic question.
Lip reader Jeremy Freeman told The Mirror that he noticed the siblings having a quiet conversation while President Trump wheeled through a seismic and controversial year in America’s domestic and international politics.
Freeman said that he detected Ivanka, 44, asking her younger sibling ‘What are you doing on…?’, though he did not catch the initial context or subject matter of her probing question.
But in a reply that is no doubt familiar to big sisters around the world, Freeman says that Barron gave a particularly surly retort that began with the New York University student saying: « I’m not sure… »
Then he reportedly added four rude words to his response.
« I couldn’t be a***d, » Barron apparently told Ivanka.
Freeman was not the only one to notice that Barron and Ivanka had something of a dynamic during the State of the Union, which at one hour and 47 minutes in length was the longest in American history.Body language expert Judi James told the Daily Mail that the rare sighting of all five Trump children in one place showed a new dynamic among the siblings, with their posture reportedly revealing that Barron and Ivanka could become a new force in the family.
She said: « Barron and Ivanka seemed to have formed a new sibling power couple, sitting side by side, with Barron looking watchful and serious while Ivanka chatted to him until they were engaged together in some ongoing conversation. »Before the address began, Texas representative Al Green stood up, holding a sign that read ‘Black people aren’t apes!’
This was seemingly in reference to the controversial video shared on Trump’s social media earlier this month that depicted former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes.
Trump honored the late Turning Point USA founder during his speech, saying: « I’m very proud to say that during my time in office, both the first four years and in particular this last year, there has been a tremendous renewal in religion, faith, Christianity, and belief in God… And a big part of that had to do with my great friend Charlie Kirk.
« So last year, Charlie was violently murdered by an assassin and martyred for his beliefs. His wonderful wife Erika is with us tonight. »
During a standing ovation, Charlie’s widow, Erika, could be seen mouthing what viewers believe was ‘I miss you’.
Team USA’s men’s hockey team make an appearance
After winning gold at the Winter Olympics, the president invited the men’s hockey team to his address – but not without making a ‘distasteful’ joke about the women’s squad, who also won gold.
« I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that, » Trump said on Sunday, joking that he ‘probably would be impeached’.
Despite the comment sparking backlash, some of the men’s team attended the speech on Tuesday.
After being welcomed by Trump, applause and chants of ‘USA! USA!’ echoed across the chamber.
He also announced that goaltender Connor Hellebuyck would be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
