Donald Trump's son Barron will not represent Florida at Republican convention

[May 11, 2024]  (Reuters) - Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, will not be a delegate representing Florida at the Republican National Convention in July due to prior commitments, the office of his mother Melania said on Friday.   

Barron Trump walks to the White House from Marine One in Washington, U.S. August 16, 2020. REUTERS/Erin Scott/File Photo

On Thursday, a campaign official said Barron Trump, 18, had been selected by the state party as a delegate from Florida, a notable move given that he has kept largely out of the public eye during the campaign.

"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," Melania Trump’s office said in a statement.

In Florida, presidential campaigns submit a list of proposed delegates to the state party, which in this case would have included Barron.

Delegates are allocated following primary contests in each state. While the rules are complex, delegates are typically assigned to represent a candidate at the convention, where the nominee is officially selected.

Trump is set to face President Joe Biden in November's presidential election.

(Reporting by Costas Pitas, Steve Holland and Gram Slattery; Editing by Josie Kao)

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