Inside the Extraordinary Privileges of U.S. Presidents’ Children
From throwing lavish weddings at the White House to jet-setting around the globe on Air Force One, being the child of a U.S. president comes with perks most people can only dream of.
A White House Wedding—or Even a Prom
Living in the White House is already a privilege, but for some presidential children, it’s also been the perfect venue for life’s biggest milestones.
Nine presidential children — including Maria Hester Monroe, John Adams II, Elizabeth Tyler, Nellie Grant, Alice Lee Roosevelt, Jessie Woodrow Wilson, Lynda Bird Johnson, and Tricia Nixon — have said “I do” in the White House.
Even Tiffany Trump, daughter of former President Donald Trump, didn’t hold her wedding there, but she did get engaged inside the iconic building in 2021 — a first in modern times.
And back in 1975, 17-year-old Susan Ford, daughter of President Gerald Ford, made history by hosting her high school prom in the East Room of the White House — the first (and only) prom ever held there.
Flying in Style: Presidential Jets and Private Access
Children of U.S. presidents also get to travel in presidential style. The First Lady and First Family are allowed to use official government aircraft, though the plane is only called Air Force One when the president himself is on board.
The aircraft spans 4,000 square feet and includes a private gym, dining room, conference room, offices, a medical suite, and two fully equipped kitchens capable of preparing 100 meals at once.
Round-the-Clock Secret Service Protection
Every presidential child receives 24/7 protection from the U.S. Secret Service — even after their parents leave office.
Barron Trump, the youngest son of Donald Trump, was famously followed by a detail of Secret Service agents while attending New York University. Unlike most students, he didn’t live in a dorm — he stayed at the family’s luxurious Trump Tower residence.
Access to the World’s Elite
Presidential children often find themselves mingling with heads of state, royalty, and Hollywood stars.
Susan Ford once admitted, “Sometimes I wished my father were just a congressman. But I wouldn’t trade being the president’s daughter for anything. I got to travel and meet so many amazing people—it was overwhelming at times.”
During Donald Trump’s presidency, his children frequently joined him at official events, including a state banquet hosted by Queen Elizabeth II in London, attended by four of his five children.
Late-Night Snacks from the White House Kitchen
One of the sweetest perks? The White House’s world-class chefs are always on standby to serve anything the First Family desires.
But as former First Lady Michelle Obama joked, the food isn’t exactly free:
“They’ll make whatever you want. Then you get the bill — and realize that peach you just ate cost $500,” she laughed in a 2018 interview. “I told Barack, don’t get too comfortable until you know the price tag!”
A Room of Their Own — Within Limits
Presidential children can decorate their rooms however they like, but they can’t alter the building’s structure. As historian Kate Andersen Brower explains, “Some rooms hold historic value — they belong to the American people, not to the families who live there.”
Private Movie Screenings Before Anyone Else
The White House theater, built in the 1940s, seats just 42 guests but gets special Hollywood treatment. Studios regularly send unreleased films for private screenings.
During Donald Trump’s term, the first movie shown was Pixar’s Finding Dory, which he watched alongside children of White House staff members.
A Life of Power, Privilege, and Public Scrutiny
Being the child of a U.S. president means living in a world of privilege — but also one of constant attention. From royal-level security to once-in-a-lifetime experiences, the life of a presidential child remains a unique blend of glamour and responsibility.
