Is Donald Trump Skipping Barron Trump's Graduation? What We Know

Former President Donald Trump is set to attend a fundraiser in Minnesota the same day as Barron Trump's graduation, sparking questions about whether he would attend his son's ceremony in Florida.

Trump is set to attend the Minnesota 2024 Reagan Lincoln Dinner in St. Paul on Friday, May 17, the same day Barron is set to graduate from high school.

The former president requested the day off of court from Judge Juan Merchan, who is overseeing the trial of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's allegations that Trump falsified business documents related to a hush money payment allegedly made to adult film actor Stormy Daniels during his 2016 campaign.

News about Trump's attendance at the fundraiser quickly drew backlash on social media, with some questioning whether he would be able to attend both the graduation and the fundraiser.

However, a source close to the campaign confirmed to Newsweek that Trump will have time to attend Barron's graduation and go to the fundraiser.

The graduation is due to start around 10 a.m. ET, according to fact-checking website PolitiFact, while the reception is not set to begin until 5 p.m. CT, likely giving him enough time to travel between the two.

Critics questioned the move on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

"Trump plans to attend a fundraiser on the day of Barron's graduation. Wonder what Judge Merchan thinks when he sees this," wrote the Lincoln Project, a group of anti-Trump Republicans.

"I told you Trump was never going to Barron's graduation and the MAGAs told me I was slandering Trump. Nah, I just know from years of reporting on him that he puts himself first," wrote journalist Victoria Brownworth.

Merchan agreed on April 30 that Trump could attend the graduation during a hearing last week, saying that he does not "think May 17 is a problem" because the trial is moving per schedule.

Prior to his decision, Trump raised concerns about the possibility he may not be able to attend the graduation in a post to Truth Social on April 15.

"Who will explain for me, to my wonderful son, Barron, who is a GREAT Student at a fantastic School, that his Dad will likely not be allowed to attend his Graduation Ceremony, something that we have been talking about for years, because a seriously Conflicted and Corrupt New York State Judge wants me in Criminal Court on a bogus 'Biden Case' which, according to virtually all Legal Scholars and Pundits, has no merit, and should NEVER have been brought," he wrote.

Minnesota GOP chair David Hann said in a statement reported by Valley Live News that the state party is "thrilled to welcome President Trump back to Minnesota to headline our Lincoln Reagan dinner, an annual tradition that reminds us of the roots of our Party and the leaders who have been most impactful in promoting our American values."