Melania Trump Says Barron Wanted to Live at Their N.Y.C. Tower in College: ‘I Couldn’t Say I’m an Empty Nester’

Melania Trump is opening up about her only child going to college.

The former first lady, 54, gave a rare sit-down interview to Fox News Channel's Ainsley Earhardt where she spoke about her 18-year-old son Barron Trump's transition to New York University's Stern School of Business.

"I could not say I'm an empty nester. I don't feel that way," Melania told Earhardt during their conversation, which aired on Thursday, Sept. 26.

The former first lady said she raised Barron, her only child with former President Donald Trump, as his "own person" and "gave him his own yes and no's," growing up.

"It was his decision to come here that he wants to be in New York and study in New York and live in his home, and I respect that," Melania continued of her son's decision to attend NYU.

She went on to describe the Oxbridge Academy graduate as an "incredible young man" during the segment.

"I'm very proud of what he grew up to," Melania continued. "His strength. His intelligence. His knowledge, his kindness. It's admirable."

Barron arrived for his first day of classes at NYU's Stern School of Business on Sept. 4, security at the university confirmed to PEOPLE.

Melania said the youngest son of Donald is "enjoying his college days" in the first weeks of classes, adding, "I hope he will have a great experience because his life is very different than any other 18, 19-year-old child."

In May, a source told PEOPLE that Melania was planning to "keep her hand on Barron's future just as much going forward as she has throughout his early and current school years."

“He is her world," the source continued. "She is proud of him, and she is the primary decision maker on Barron and his future."

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Before his freshman year at NYU, Barron was chosen as an at-large delegate to represent Florida at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in July. However, he declined the offer and skipped the RNC.

“While Barron is honored to have been chosen as a delegate by the Florida Republican Party, he regretfully declines to participate due to prior commitments,” Melania's office confirmed in a statement shared with PEOPLE at the time.