Eric Trump has defended Susan Dell after online trolls mocked her appearance following a visit to the White House with her billionaire husband, Michael Dell.
The couple met President Donald Trump last week to discuss their $6.25 billion (£4.72 billion) contribution to Trump Accounts, a scheme intended to give 25 million American children a $250 investment account.
The pledge, made in December after the accounts were announced, prompted a backlash against comments about Mrs Dell’s looks. Eric Trump, the president’s second son, responded by condemning those who had targeted her.
“People are awful,” he wrote on social media. “Susan and Michael Dell just put $6.25 billion into Trump Accounts for 25 million kids so they’ll have something waiting for them when they grow up—one of, if not the largest private donation in American History.”
He added: “The response? Vicious attacks on her. I’m tired of this nonsense. Very few people have done more for philanthropy. It’s disgusting and it has to stop.”
Addressing Mrs Dell directly, he wrote: “Susan, on behalf of the overwhelming majority of people in this nation: Thank You!! You are incredible!”
Michael Dell, who founded his technology company at the age of 19 with $1,000, shared two messages posted in support of his wife. One came from a parent who said $250 had appeared in accounts belonging to both their sons.
“I will go out of my way to support them now, who else has done what they did? No one…” the poster wrote in response to an account criticising comments about Mrs Dell’s appearance.
Another message said: “My grandson got 250 dollars in his Trump account from Susan Dell. Please leave that woman alone.”
Mr Dell also shared letters said to have been written by children who had received money through the scheme.
“Dear Dell Family, Thank you for the money in my Trump bank account. I’m very glad to be saving for my future,” one handwritten note read.
A second, attributed to an eight-year-old girl in Arizona, said: “I’m grateful for the money you added to my Trump account, Thank you for helping me save for my future.”
How Trump Accounts work
The accounts are backed by the US taxpayer as well as the Dells’ contribution. Children cannot access the money until they turn 18, and its use is subject to restrictions, including buying a home or paying for education.
“They’re putting up a lot of money,” Mr Trump said of the Dells’ efforts in July.
Michael and Susan Dell met on a blind date in 1988, during the early years of Dell’s company, and married the following year. They have four children: daughters Alexa, Kira and Juliette, and son Zachary.
Michael Dell’s personal fortune is estimated at around $300 billion, while his company is now valued at nearly $400 billion. Susan Dell previously served on President George W Bush’s Council for Physical Fitness and Sports, and the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation was established in 1999.
