Barron Trump

csuave

What do you all think of the backlash related to comments made about Barron Trump?

labro

Backlash as in people being upset about the comments made?

I agree with them. I think it's wrong to attack the children of the POTUS, any children in fact. He hasn't done anything wrong and he cannot help who his father is or how his father expresses his politics. I felt the same way when people attacked Malia and Sasha on social media. It's certainly a difficult position to be in and you're in the spotlight constantly.

This may be unpopular but my feelings don't extend to the adult children since it's relevant in this case. IMO, Ivanka and her brothers are open to public criticism and comments because they are adults in their own right, living independent lives, and especially because they already have their own presence in the spotlight due to their businesses. It's not exclusively because of their relationship to the president, like Barron's.

smerka

I see a lot of people justifying it because a lot of crap was said about the Obama girls. I think we should just all agree to stop with all the underage kids regardless of political party. In this case, I think Tiffany should be left alone too. She really hasn't been part of the campaign (except for the convention). Ivanka, Donald, and Eric - fair game 

That being said, it would not surprise me to find out Barron (and even Donald Trump himself) has autism. But also know I have a kid with autism so I don't see it as negative thing - just a fact. That also makes me sympathetic to Melania staying with Barron in NYC even though it is costing $$$$$ for them to stay there. 

csuave

Well one part of the backlash is that the SNL writer is suspended. 

I think the writer's comments were terrible and a bad thing to say about any person, let alone a child.  I'm surprised she wasn't fired. 
I think children should be off limits (unless they are adults as @labro has mentioned).  And then if you are going to criticize or call an adult out make it fact and policy based instead of name calling or a personal attack.

Now I did see a joke about Barron yawning during the inauguration and there was nothing malicious about that imo so I didn't have an issue with it but still probably better to leave him alone--life is tough enough for him right now.

It seems that the general atmosphere of bullying and name calling continues post election on both sides and that is sad altogether.  Hopefully the incident with the SNL writer makes people try to be more motivated to bring about change in a positive way.

On a slightly different topic I have enjoyed hearing the stories about presidential children and their encouragement for each other -- Chelsea defending Barron; the Bush twins writing a letter to the Obama girls.  It is a unique fraternity that they have entered and that few can understand.  How great so see examples of support and encouragement.

csuave

smerka said:

I see a lot of people justifying it because a lot of crap was said about the Obama girls. I think we should just all agree to stop with all the underage kids regardless of political party. In this case, I think Tiffany should be left alone too. She really hasn't been part of the campaign (except for the convention). Ivanka, Donald, and Eric - fair game 

That being said, it would not surprise me to find out Barron (and even Donald Trump himself) has autism. But also know I have a kid with autism so I don't see it as negative thing - just a fact. That also makes me sympathetic to Melania staying with Barron in NYC even though it is costing $$$$$ for them to stay there. 

Agree: Ivanka, Donald and Eric -- part of the campaign and in the public eye (by choice) before that.  And possibly having some influence.

smerka

I really did not like anything about the Bushes. But the Bush twins have really impressed me. When Jenna started on the Today Show I rolled me eyes. But she has gotten better. 

Trump posted a photo of one of his grandkids looking super bored while he was signing something. It was a cute picture of a kid being a kid. So it can be done right

MommyLiberty5013

I think the home school shooter remark was particularly heinous. That's the type of stuff people ought to lose their jobs over. And anyway, it's not funny, not even in a dark humor sort of way. I don't think the speaker of that remark was trying intentionally to be funny but tried to pass her remark off as humor because of her position - like her position working at SNL means she can say whatever and think people will give her a pass due to her place of employment. In my opinion that remark may have well been a racial slur because it's just so vile. And treated as such.

I agree on adult children. If they are adults and have chosen to take the limelight especially then they can be commented on but ONLY in ways that would be acceptable to any other person....remarks on gender, race, religion etc. should still be off limits.

MommyLiberty5013

smerka said:

I see a lot of people justifying it because a lot of crap was said about the Obama girls. I think we should just all agree to stop with all the underage kids regardless of political party. In this case, I think Tiffany should be left alone too. She really hasn't been part of the campaign (except for the convention). Ivanka, Donald, and Eric - fair game 

That being said, it would not surprise me to find out Barron (and even Donald Trump himself) has autism. But also know I have a kid with autism so I don't see it as negative thing - just a fact. That also makes me sympathetic to Melania staying with Barron in NYC even though it is costing $$$$$ for them to stay there. 

Curious. What about Barron and Trump do you think means they have autism?

als1982

Commenting on or attacking children in the media, online or through any other channel should be off limits. Period. 

smerka

To be clear I have no idea if they have autism and it would be wrong to assume they do. And I also don't see autism as a negative. But frequently people with autism have trouble sleeping (tweeting at all hours, claiming he doesn't need much sleep). They also sometimes wear clothes that are out of style (Barron's choice to wear suits and Donald's terrible haircut). Articles I've read said Barron likes to play by himself and loves planes and helicopters. While those can be very normal things, they can also be red flags for autism, especially if there's a fascination with the propellers. I've also heard he's very strong minded and opinionated. Again could be totally typical or could be a red flag (my son has always been this way). Like I said originally, it would not surprise me to find out they are on the spectrum but I have never met either and I'm not a doctor 

short+sassy

I must have totally missed the SNL skit about Barron.

For the most part, I think SNL is awesome for pretty much universally poking fun at everyone.  But, YEAH, underage children should be off limits.  No matter who their parents are.  Especially if they are negative portrayals.

Ack!  What is wrong with people?

When Chelsea Clinton was around 13ish, SNL did a skit that basically made fun of how she looked.  The show got a lot of public outrage over that.  As they should have.  I didn't hear until years later, in one of those "behind the scenes" documentary, that SNL got a very stern and official call from a White House aide the day after that episode aired.  They were basically told in no uncertain terms, "You can make fun of Bill or Hillary Clinton as much as you want, but Chelsea Clinton is off limits."

smerka

SNL didn't do a skit on Barron. One of the writers from SNL tweeted a lame joke on her personal feed. 

short+sassy

smerka said:

SNL didn't do a skit on Barron. One of the writers from SNL tweeted a lame joke on her personal feed. 

Oh! Thanks for the explanation.