Donald Trump's youngest son Barron's attendance at New York University has sparked unprecedented interest in campus Republican organizations.
According to the New York Post, college Republican clubs across the United States are experiencing a surge in membership following Donald Trump's re-election, with some chapters reporting their numbers have doubled.
The presence of 18-year-old Barron Trump at NYU's Stern School of Business has created quite a stir, attracting curious students to the university's Republican Club. While he isn't a member, his enrollment has generated significant attention, with students often documenting his campus appearances on social media.
NYU College Republicans president Kaya Walker has witnessed a dramatic increase in attendance at weekly meetings, growing from just five participants to 40 during her time at the university. The club's rising popularity reflects a broader trend of conservative student engagement following the election.
Penn State's College Republican chapter has experienced similar growth, doubling its active membership to 200 students this school year. The club's vice president, Tristin Kilgore, attributes part of Trump's appeal to students' experiences during the pandemic lockdowns.
Walker, speaking about Barron Trump's impact on campus life, shared:
It's more curiosity than anything. People would come up to us and ask us, 'Oh, is Baron in the club?' I feel bad for him more than anything. He's kind of watched like a zoo animal. He's kind of hard to miss. He's very tall.
The University of Michigan's College Republicans, established in 1892 as the nation's oldest chapter, now boasts 445 members. This represents approximately half the size of the Democratic Club's membership, a notable achievement for conservative representation on traditionally liberal campuses.
At UNC, the College Republicans Club has seen its membership more than double in just two months leading up to the election, expanding from 120 to 250 members. Similarly, Babson College's Republican organization has doubled its enrollment to 73 members over the course of the semester.
Babson College Republican Club president Neko Kady noted:
People are getting more involved now that they're realizing we're not just three guys with a thick pair of glasses sitting in a corner of the room.
The surge in Republican Club membership has coincided with a more visible conservative presence on campuses. Students are increasingly comfortable displaying their political affiliations, with some openly wearing MAGA hats in traditionally liberal academic spaces.
At NYU, despite the generally liberal atmosphere, the College Republicans have maintained their presence and even grown their influence. The club continues to welcome new members, including first-year students who might have previously hesitated to join.
Matthew Trott of UNC and Alexander Richmond from the University of Michigan both report significant increases in freshman participation, suggesting a shift in campus political dynamics. This trend indicates a growing willingness among conservative students to be more vocal about their political beliefs.
The remarkable growth in College Republican Club membership across American universities marks a significant shift in campus political engagement. This surge, driven by Trump's re-election and Barron Trump's NYU enrollment, has transformed these organizations from small gatherings to substantial campus presences. The combination of Trump's victory and his son's presence at NYU has created a unique moment for conservative student organizations, leading to doubled membership numbers at multiple universities and increased visibility for Republican clubs on traditionally liberal campuses.
