Melania Trump reveals she's not an empty nester – as Barron still lives at home

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Melania Trump opened up about her son Barron's decision to go to college in New York City, saying she doesn't feel like an “empty nester” – because he still lives at home.

In her first sit-down interview in over two years, Melania shared Fox & Friends'Ainsley Earhardt said she “respected” her 18-year-old son's decision to attend college at New York University, which means he can live at home in Trump Tower while he studies.

“I can’t say I’m an empty nester, I don’t feel that way,” she said.

“I raised Barron as his own person and gave him his own 'yes and no.' I respect that, it was his decision to come here, that he wants to be (in) New York and study (in) New York and live in his home, and I respect that.”

Barron's childhood was spent largely in his father's Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan and at the family's sprawling Mar-A-Lago estate in Florida.

After graduating from high school in Florida in May, he began his freshman year at NYU earlier this month.

Melania flattered her only son in the interview, calling him an “incredible young man.”

She said: “I am very proud of what he has grown into. His strength, his intelligence, his knowledge, his kindness. It's admirable. And he is enjoying his college time. I hope he has a great experience because his life is very different than any other 18-19 year old kid.”

When the freshman started at NYU, a flood of videos appeared on TikTok showing the 18-year-old walking around campus accompanied by Secret Service agents.

Fellow NYU students shared Barron's videos, aptly described by WIRED as “Sasquatch-esque”: short, frantic, blurry clips of the elusive 6-foot-2 freshman on his way to class.

In the Fox & friends In an interview, the former first lady was also asked for advice on how to navigate being a parent in a blended family, as her husband Donald Trump has four other children with two other women.

“Everyone is in control of themselves,” Melania said. “I have no control over my husband. I have no control over his children. I don’t even have control over my child.”

Trump has previously revealed that Barron – who Melania has long tried to keep out of the spotlight – has become interested in politics.

“He was really a great student. And he likes politics,” Trump told Talk Radio 1210 WPHT in Philadelphia in May. “It's kind of funny. Sometimes he tells me, 'Dad, you have to do this.'”

Trump's former White House chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, recently revealed that Barron offered advice on how to win the support of younger voters.

The teenager is said to have been behind Trump's on-camera interview with social media influencer Adin Ross, who is popular with young men.