Barron Trump declines offer to serve as Florida delegate to RNC

Barron Trump, the 18-year-old son of former President Donald Trump and former first lady Melania Trump, has turned down an offer to serve as a Florida delegate to the Republican National Convention.

"While Barron is honored to have been chosen as a delegate by the Florida Republican Party, he regretfully declines to participate due to prior commitments," according to a statement Friday afternoon from the office of Melania Trump.

The news comes two days after Barron Trump was named as an at-large delegate along with several other members of the Trump family. His brothers, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump and sister Tiffany Trump were also named as delegates, according to a list released Wednesday by the Florida Republican Party. Ivanka Trump is not on the list of delegates.

Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, has been in court most days in recent weeks as his New York "hush money" trial continues. The judge overseeing that case, however, gave him permission late last month to attend Barron Trump's high school graduation, scheduled for Friday, May 17.

Also chosen as at-large delegates were Kimberly Guilfoyle — Donald Trump Jr.'s fiancée — and Michael Boulos, Tiffany's husband. Eric Trump will also serve as delegation chair.

The convention is set to be held from July 15 through July 18 in Milwaukee. Trump secured enough delegates to clinch the Republican nomination in mid-March.

The Florida Republican Party faced turmoil in December when its then-chairman, Christian Ziegler , was accused of sexual assault, leading to his suspension and eventual ouster . He was replaced by Evan Power.

"We are fortunate to have a great group of grassroots leaders, elected officials, and members of the Trump family working together as part of the Florida delegation to the 2024 Republican National Convention," Power said in a statement Wednesday.