Birthday Post Sparks Debate Over Teen Guns and Hunting
What started as a proud father sharing a milestone for his son quickly became a lightning rod for online criticism. Social media users questioned whether introducing hunting and firearms to someone barely 13 years old was appropriate.
A High-Profile Family Celebration
President Donald Trump, 79, has five children and eleven grandchildren. Recently, one of his grandchildren, Spencer Trump, celebrated his 13th birthday. Don Jr. marked the occasion with a 12-photo Instagram post on October 22, sharing it with his 10.1 million followers.
His caption read:
“Happy birthday to the littlest of my little men. Spencer, I can’t believe you’re 13 and I hope you have an awesome day buddy. I love you so much. I can’t wait to get back into the outdoors with you. You make me very proud.”
While fans sent birthday wishes, attention quickly focused on images of Spencer posing with firearms. In three of the twelve photos, he was shown hunting, sparking backlash online.
Online Criticism
Comments ranged from concern over the boy’s age to ethical objections to hunting:
“Not even 13 and you threw a gun in his arms. Truly sick.”
“You’re a sorry excuse for a human — not happy unless you’re killing some innocent animals.”
Past Controversies
This isn’t the first time Don Jr. has faced scrutiny over hunting. Notable controversies include:
A 2019 hunting trip to Mongolia reportedly costing taxpayers over $75,000.
Hunting a rare Argali mountain sheep with proper permits obtained only after the hunt.
Allegations of shooting a protected Ruddy Shelduck near Venice, Italy, though authorities opened an investigation and his team denied wrongdoing.
His public sharing of trophy photos and defense of gun rights has consistently fueled ethical debates.
🔹 Conclusion
A father’s birthday tribute has reignited discussion around hunting, firearms, and ethical responsibility. The backlash highlights the challenges public figures face when personal family moments intersect with public scrutiny, particularly when minors are involved. Spencer’s birthday photos illustrate how private celebrations can quickly become national conversation.