In a 19th-century novel, 'Baron Trump' discovers an underground world, leading to a modern conspiracy theory that Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron, is a time traveler. The idea has gone viral, fueled by a book written in 1893 by Ingersoll Lockwood titled Baron Trump's Marvellous Underground Journey. The story follows a boy named Baron Trump who, guided by an ancient manuscript, ventures to Russia to find a hidden underground civilization.
The Viral Conspiracy Theory
The theory gained new traction when Lara Trump, wife of Eric Trump, discussed it on her podcast, Is Barron Trump a Time Traveler. She dismissed the idea, stating, "Barron Trump is not a time traveller. Sorry to say it." She added that she has known Barron for 18 years and cannot name a single time traveler. Despite her denial, the theory persists online, with some pointing to coincidences between Lockwood's fictional character and the real-life Barron Trump.
Historical Context and Distraction
The conspiracy theory is just one of many promoted by the Trump administration to distract from pressing issues. Arwa Mahdawi, a Guardian columnist, argues that such theories divert attention from the war on Iran, rising living costs, and the Epstein files. She notes that Donald Trump himself has a history of encouraging conspiratorial thinking, from the "birther" theory about Barack Obama to recent claims about missing scientists linked to nuclear research.
Lockwood's Other Works
Ingersoll Lockwood also wrote The Last President, set after the contentious 1896 election, where a political outsider from New York becomes president, leading to turmoil. This parallel to modern politics has fueled speculation about Lockwood's predictive abilities, though Mahdawi suggests it is merely history repeating itself.
Ultimately, the Barron Trump time travel theory is a harmless distraction, but it reflects a broader trend of using conspiracies to shift blame and undermine institutions. As Mahdawi concludes, "Conspiracy theories are more than a good distraction; they have become a core part of the populist playbook."
