The United States Secret Service has confirmed that it is aware of a video broadcast by Iranian state media that appears to threaten the life of Barron Trumpthe youngest son of US President Donald Trump.
The nearly three-minute video, broadcast by the state-run Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), begins with a graphic in English that asks: “Where to kill Barron Trump?!” It then displays stylized graphics identifying places where Barron is publicly known to spend time, including Trump Tower in New York.
The video ends with a narrator referring to the people who are “eagerly waiting to receive our $10 million reward.”
Secret Service spokesman Nate Herring confirmed that the agency was investigating the video as a potential threat against one of its protectees.
“The United States Secret Service is aware of the video and is investigating anything that may be perceived as a threat to our protectees,” Secret Service spokesman Nate Herring told CNN in a statement. “Out of concern for operational security, we do not discuss protective intelligence issues.”
The apparent attack on Barron marks a new development in a broader pattern of threats directed at Trump and members of his family by hardline Iranian media.
Iranian media outlets have previously published material threatening President Trump and his family, while first lady Melania Trump has also been the subject of threats. However, the video appears to be the first public instance of Barron being specifically singled out.
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A federal law enforcement source told CNN that the video is part of a broader campaign of material from Iran targeting Trump and his family. According to the source, some of the videos have included details about movements and suggestions to kill members of the president’s family.
The security response to such threats involves continually changing and adjusting protection arrangements, based on information collected by the Secret Service, other U.S. agencies, law enforcement authorities, and foreign governments.
IRIB, which aired the video, is considered to be aligned with hardliners within Iran’s regime, while its head is directly appointed by Iran’s supreme leader.
Trump has previously spoken publicly about threats against his life from Iran.
“I’m on whatever list… so far, I think I’ve had a little luck, but that might not last long. They are evil, sick people.”
He made the comments in July at the NATO summit in Türkiye, before secretly leaving the country aboard an alternative military plane.
The departure was part of an elaborate security operation allegedly triggered by an Iranian threat. Trump boarded the plane while hidden inside a catering truck after officials determined that traveling on either version of Air Force One could expose him to an unacceptable level of danger.
A person familiar with the matter told CNN that the threat involved a shoulder-fired missile and was considered specific enough that officials feared Trump’s life would be at enormous risk if he traveled on either version of Air Force One.
(CNN)
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