For weeks, insiders close to the Trump family quietly hinted that the viral inauguration clip didn’t capture the full story—and that whatever Barron supposedly said to Joe Biden had become a larger point of conversation inside political circles than the public realized.
Online speculation grew so wildly that several media outlets even reached out for clarification, only to be met with silence. Now, with Eric Trump finally speaking out, the whispers surrounding that brief handshake moment are roaring back with renewed intensity.
Eric Trump has finally addressed what his younger brother Barron said to Joe Biden during Donald Trump’s January inauguration, after rumors claimed the 19-year-old had muttered a profane insult.
During the ceremony, the former president’s youngest son greeted Biden as Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on January 20. Cameras captured the moment Biden leaned in to shake Barron’s hand and appeared to say something, prompting Barron to reply. Almost instantly, social media erupted with guesses—some insisting Barron told Biden to “go f*** yourself.”
Lip reader Jeremy Freeman later reviewed the viral footage and offered a more measured interpretation. Speaking to LADbible, Freeman said Biden seemed to say, “It’s good to see you man,” to which Barron simply replied, “Exactly.”
No one from the Trump family had commented—until now. Appearing on The Megyn Kelly Show, Eric Trump shared what Barron himself told him about the exchange.
As reported by PEOPLE, Eric recalled: “Remember when [Barron] went up to Biden … and the media had all these lip-reading experts saying Barron told Biden to go F himself? So one night I called Barron and asked, ‘Buddy, what did you actually say?’ And he told me—it was something so polite I can’t even quote it perfectly—something like, ‘Congratulations and best of luck to you.’”
Eric said the exchange was “very respectful,” nothing like the hostile phrase circulating online. He added that Barron “doesn’t have that in him” to insult an outgoing president.
“He’s a nice kid,” Eric continued. “He might be thinking it. He definitely has it up here, but he’s too well-mannered to ever say it out loud. Barron’s genuinely a kind young man.”
A longer clip of the moment later surfaced, showing Barron moving on to greet Vice President Kamala Harris with a handshake after speaking to Biden.
The extended footage earned Barron widespread praise for his composure and courtesy. Viewers called him a “gentleman” and applauded him for his direct eye contact and firm handshake, noting how rare such manners have become among young people.
“That’s real ‘class’ from Barron Trump,” one person wrote. Another added: “Direct eye contact and a handshake. Not many young men do this anymore.”
Conclusion
With Eric Trump finally clarifying the moment, the long-circulating rumors around Barron’s brief exchange with Biden appear to be laid to rest. Rather than the explosive insult many imagined, the interaction seems to have been a simple, respectful greeting. Yet as the clip continues to spread online, one thing is clear: even the smallest gestures involving the Trump family can ignite a firestorm of theories—and the public is always eager to read between the lines of every political moment.