Eric Trump has publicly defended Susan Dell against what he called “vicious attacks” on her appearance following her appearance at the White House.
Susan Dell, wife of Dell Technologies founder Michael Dell, 60, stood alongside President Trump in the Oval Office last week as the couple announced a $6.25 billion donation to fund $250 savings accounts for 25 million American children. The philanthropic initiative drew immediate attention, but much of the online conversation fixated on mocking Susan Dell’s looks rather than the scale of the gift.
“People are awful,” Eric Trump wrote on X, responding directly to the wave of negative commentary. He framed the donation as one of the largest private contributions in the nation’s history and expressed frustration that the response had turned personal.
“The response? Vicious attacks on her,” he continued. “Very few people have done more for philanthropy. It’s disgusting and it has to stop.”
Eric Trump, 40, also offered a direct message of support to Susan Dell herself. “Susan, on behalf of the overwhelming majority of people in this nation: Thank You!! You are incredible!” he wrote.
Michael Dell, 60, appeared to address the trolling indirectly by responding to a supportive post on X with a prayer hands emoji and salute emoji. The original post had stated, “It’s truly insane how evil and full of themselves people are,” in apparent reference to the comments about Susan’s appearance.
The same user who wrote that post also shared a personal account of the donation’s immediate impact. “I signed my kids up and wasn’t expecting to get anything as we live in a wealthy country and city,” the person wrote. “Out of the blue $250 showed up from Dell for both of my boys. I will go out of my way to support them now, who else has done what they did? No one…”
Michael Dell has since shared what appeared to be handwritten thank-you notes from children who received the funds. One read, “I’m grateful for the money you added to my Trump account. Thank you for helping me save for my future.” Another stated, “Dear Dell Family, Thank you for the money in my Trump bank account. I’m very glad to be saving for my future.”
The Dells structured their gift to prioritize children born between 2016 and 2024 in ZIP codes with median family incomes of $150,000 or less, with military children living overseas also included. The accounts were auto-enrolled for all eligible U.S. Children at the start of this month.
“Susan and I wanted our gift to give 25 million children a stronger start and to reach communities where it could make the greatest difference,” Michael Dell said on October 12. He explained that funding began in ZIP codes with the lowest median family income and moved progressively upward, aiming to reach 25 million accounts total.
“We chose this approach with care and a simple hope: that these investments will open doors and help millions of children build the futures they dream of,” he concluded.
The couple’s foundation has maintained an extensive philanthropic record since 1999, with their website indicating approximately 800 active projects annually and cumulative donations reaching $10 billion.
During the Oval Office appearance that prompted the online backlash, President Trump had quipped that Susan Dell should run for office after hearing her deliver a message to the nation’s children. “To every child across the country, these accounts are for you. We believe in you,” she said in the video.