The president of the NYU College Republicans has been forced to step down after making what some are calling "bizarre" comments about Barron Trump, the youngest son of President Donald Trump.
Kaya Walker, the now-former president of the NYU chapter of the College Republicans of America (CRA), found herself in hot water after an interview with Vanity Fair where she described Barron Trump, an 18-year-old freshman at NYU’s Stern School of Business, as “sort of like an oddity on campus.” She went on to say, “He goes to class, he goes home,” painting a picture of the 6-foot-7 first son as a reclusive figure amid the hustle and bustle of college life. But what might have seemed like an offhand observation to some was deemed a step too far by the CRA’s national leadership.
In a statement posted to X, the CRA didn’t mince words, calling Walker’s remarks “inappropriate” and distancing themselves from her take on the president’s son. 'We have been made aware of a statement made by the NYU chapter President that does not align with the values and principles upheld by our organization,' the group declared. 'Though Vanity Fair and The Independent unfairly framed what was said, upon review, we still found it to be inappropriate.' Walker submitted her resignation Sunday night, and the CRA quickly accepted it, signaling their intent to move on quickly.
The CRA later offered an invitation to Barron himself. “Barron Trump represents the future of the conservative movement, and we would be honored to have him join College Republicans of America,” said CRA President Will Donahue. He praised Barron’s “resilience, courage, and humility,” qualities he claimed the young Trump has already demonstrated, despite his low-key presence at NYU. “We invite Barron to join us in shaping the future of our party,” Donahue added, turning a controversy into a recruiting pitch.
Barron, who began his college journey in September 2024 after graduating from Florida’s Oxbridge Academy, has kept a relatively quiet profile on campus. Surrounded by Secret Service agents and commuting from Trump Tower in a motorcade of black SUVs, the towering teen has been spotted in class but rarely beyond it. Classmates have described him as “chill” and “friendly,” with some noting his love for video games like FIFA over the typical college social scene. Yet, his presence alone has stirred curiosity—and apparently, controversy—among his peers.
Walker’s comments weren’t entirely without context. She told Vanity Fair she felt sympathy for Barron, suggesting his high-profile status and security detail deprive him of a “normal” college experience. “He’s sort of like an oddity on campus,” she reiterated, a sentiment echoed by other students who’ve observed his limited interactions. One classmate even recalled asking Barron to play basketball, only to sense that Secret Service restrictions made it a no-go. Still, the CRA saw the remark as a betrayal of the reverence they hold for the Trump family, a dynasty that’s become a cornerstone of modern conservatism.
The fallout has ignited a firestorm among conservative commentators. Some see Walker’s ousting as a necessary defense of the Trump legacy, while others decry it as an overreaction that stifles free speech. Posts on X have highlighted the irony of a Republican group punishing one of their own for speaking out, especially as Vice President J.D. Vance recently lectured Europe on the virtues of American liberty. “This is your free speech,” one user quipped, pointing to Walker’s fate as a cautionary tale.
Meanwhile, Barron remains an enigma at NYU—a “ladies’ man” to some, a video game enthusiast to others, and now, a lightning rod for campus politics. Whether he’ll take up the CRA’s offer to “shape the future” of the party remains to be seen. For now, the young Trump seems content to let the drama unfold from the sidelines, leaving the rest of us to wonder: just how much influence does this quiet freshman wield?
As the CRA scrambles to replace Walker and restore order, one thing is clear: the Trump name still commands loyalty—and headlines—in even the most unexpected corners of America’s campuses. 17GEN4.com