MS NOW host Lawrence O’Donnell unleashed a blistering on-air attack against Barron Trump on Wednesday night, calling President Donald Trump’s youngest son “more spoiled than an English princess” for not enlisting in the military as the U.S. war with Iran enters its fourth week.
During his show “The Last Word” on March 25, O’Donnell tore into the 20-year-old for not signing up to serve in what he called “his father’s war” after celebrating his birthday in lavish style last week. Barron Trump turned 20 on March 20, crossing a threshold that strips away any lingering protection of youth as criticism mounts over the Trump family’s lack of military service.
The segment drew sharp contrasts between the president’s family and other wartime leaders. O’Donnell invoked Princess Elizabeth, who at just 18 joined the Women’s Auxiliary Territorial Service during World War II — becoming the first woman in the British Royal Family to serve in uniform. The future queen trained as a mechanic and driver, learning to repair engines and drive military ambulances and heavy trucks while German bombs fell on Britain. The newspapers dubbed her “Princess Auto Mechanic.”
O’Donnell’s tirade came nearly a month after President Trump launched Operation Epic Fury against Iran on February 28. The host pointed out that three Trump children currently fall within military enlistment age after the U.S. Army raised its maximum age ceiling to 42: Eric Trump, 42, Tiffany Trump, 32, and Barron.
The MS NOW host also attacked Eric and Donald Trump Jr., accusing them of dodging military service following the September 11, 2001, terror attacks when thousands of young Americans enlisted. He noted that as wars began in Afghanistan and Iraq, the Trump sons “followed in the family tradition of silently watching others go off to war.”
O’Donnell then directed his criticism at President Trump himself, who received five deferments during the Vietnam War — four for education and a fifth for bone spurs in his heels. The medical exemption came from a Queens podiatrist whose daughters later told The New York Times that their father had provided the diagnosis as a “favor” to Trump’s father, Fred Trump. The host cited former President Franklin D. Roosevelt, whose four sons — James, Elliott, Franklin Jr., and John — all served in America’s military during World War II, as a contrasting example of presidential family sacrifice. James received the Navy Cross, while John earned a Bronze Star serving aboard the aircraft carrier USS Wasp in the Pacific.
The Trump family stands out among recent presidential families for having no military experience whatsoever. While American men aged 18 to 25 must register for the Selective Service System, Barron might face practical obstacles to service due to his unusual stature. He reportedly stands between 6 feet 7 inches and 6 feet 9 inches tall, according to various reports. The U.S. Army imposes a maximum height requirement of 6 feet 8 inches (80 inches) because taller individuals face challenges fitting comfortably in military vehicles, aircraft, and tanks. However, the White House has not issued any statement about Barron’s height or potential military eligibility, and his exact height remains unconfirmed.
Barron currently attends NYU’s Stern School of Business, breaking with his family’s tradition of alma maters at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. During his freshman year, he studied at the Manhattan campus, but at the start of his sophomore year in fall 2025, he transferred to NYU’s D.C. campus to be closer to his family at the White House. First Lady Melania Trump has said she keeps an eye on her son, whom she has called “an incredible young man” who “understands politics” and “gives advice to his father.”
The growing movement demanding Barron Trump be drafted has gained significant attention, with a parody website, draftbarrontrump.com, drawing visitors in the weeks since President Trump launched the military campaign against Iran. Critics argue the president’s family should share the sacrifice he is asking of other American families.
O’Donnell concluded his segment by suggesting Eric Trump now has an opportunity to break the family pattern.
