A retired NBCUniversal senior executive faced backlash after a tweet suggesting Barron Trump, the son of former President Donald Trump, was “fair game” upon turning 18 years old. Mike Sington’s post on X commemorating Barron’s birthday stirred controversy on Wednesday.
“Barron Trump turns 18 today. He’s fair game now,” Sington wrote, accompanied by an image of Barron with his father.
Although stopping short of an apology, Sington later deleted the tweet and attempted to clarify his remarks. Speaking to Newsweek, he stated, “I posted he was ‘fair game’ now, meaning, as an adult, he’s ‘fair game’ for criticism from the press.”
The tweet drew criticism from various quarters, with many condemning the notion of attacking a teenager, regardless of their parentage. Sington’s comments reignited discussions about the boundaries of public criticism, particularly when it involves individuals who are not public figures themselves.
Sington’s acknowledgment that he does not wish “harm” on Barron Trump may offer some semblance of conciliation, but the incident underscores the heightened sensitivity surrounding public discourse involving minors, even those with high-profile parents.
