Members of the Trump family observe as Donald Trump arrives to address an election night gathering at the Palm Beach Convention Centre in West Palm Beach, Florida, on November 06, 2024. — AFP
President-elect Donald Trump is set to return to the White House in January, accompanied by his family, who played a significant role in his first administration and during his recent campaign. A closer examination unveils the characters of the nation's incoming 'first family' — comprising five children and 10 grandchildren from Trump's three marriages.
The eldest Trump child is unwavering in his convictions, having promoted Trump's 'Make America Great Again' platform to his 12 million followers on X and through his 'Triggered' podcast. At 46, with a meticulously groomed beard, he was instrumental in elevating his friend J.D. Vance from a lesser-known conservative Ohio senator to Trump's running mate. He has five children with his ex-wife Vanessa Trump, including their 17-year-old daughter Kai, who has described the Republican leader — labeled a fascist by his former chief of staff — as 'just a normal grandpa'. Don Jr is now married to former Fox News presenter Kimberly Guilfoyle, who supported Trump's campaign through TV interviews.
Eric, 40, is equally loyal and bolstered his father's election bid through frequent media appearances and speeches at rallies. Along with Donald Jr, he is an executive at The Trump Organization — the real estate empire that propelled the 78-year-old Trump into the American public eye. Eric has two children with his wife Lara Trump, who in March was appointed co-chair of the Republican National Committee, reportedly reshaping the party by dismissing numerous long-term staff.
Trump's daughter Ivanka, 43, held the ambiguous position of 'adviser to the president' during his first term, raising concerns of nepotism as she attended global summits like the G20. However, she largely retreated from the 2024 campaign, having previously announced her intention to focus on family life with husband Jared Kushner and their three children. Kushner, also a presidential adviser, faced scrutiny when Trump tasked him with brokering peace in the Israel-Palestinian conflict, despite his lack of significant Middle East experience.
Melania will reclaim the symbolic title of 'First Lady' — a role she used during Trump's 2017-2021 presidency to advocate for children's health care and online safety. She has maintained a relatively low profile since, but the 54-year-old resurfaced to publish a memoir just weeks before the election. The book revealed her pro-choice stance on abortion — a view seemingly at odds with Trump's boasting about appointing Supreme Court justices who overturned the federal right to abortion under Roe v Wade. Melania has one child with Trump, 18-year-old Barron, who is studying at New York University.
Trump's fourth child and the only one with his second wife Marla Maples, an American actress, kept a low profile during her father's presidency and election campaign. Tiffany, 31, was among the supporters who attended a New York court during Trump's hush money trial, which resulted in his conviction. She is married to Michael Boulos, the son of a Lebanese-born billionaire, and the couple is expecting a child.
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