While the national news media has been digging into every corner and facet of the story surrounding possible collusion between members of President Donald Trump's campaign team and Russian actors who allegedly tried to interfere in last year's elections—and despite his wholly " While the national news media has been digging into every corner and facet of the story surrounding possible collusion between members of President Donald Trump's campaign team and Russian actors who allegedly tried to interfere in last year's elections—and despite his wholly " not normal " presidency thus far—no public figure, established journalist, or lawmaker has made even the slightest mention of Trump's youngest son, 11-year-old Barron.

That is until Tuesday morning, when Trump himself dragged his adolescent son into the national spotlight by invoking his name in a morning tweet as he decried the ongoing probe into election meddling and possible collusion by his staff as a "witchhunt." The president tweeted:

Jared Kushner did very well yesterday in proving he did not collude with the Russians. Witch Hunt. Next up, 11 year old Barron Trump! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 25, 2017

The response on social was swift and unforgiving:

Exploiting his 11 year old son Barron Trump for politics is reprehensible. How dare he. — Eugene Gu, MD (@eugenegu) — Eugene Gu, MD (@eugenegu) July 25, 2017

Keep in mind that Trump dragged his son into the corruption conversation. Nobody else did that. "Barron Trump" — Merlisa (@merlisa) — Merlisa (@merlisa) July 25, 2017

Every major-media journalist on the White House beat has more conscientiously protected Barron’s privacy than his father has done. Every major-media journalist on the White House beat has more conscientiously protected Barron’s privacy than his father has done. https://t.co/tyCr1rbucl — David Frum (@davidfrum) — David Frum (@davidfrum) July 25, 2017

Did you seriously use your 11-year-old son, Barron Trump, as a political shield? You are the biggest f'ing coward. pic.twitter.com/wswdoBTsM7 You are the biggest f'ing coward. #TuesdayThoughts — Holly O'Reilly (@AynRandPaulRyan) — Holly O'Reilly (@AynRandPaulRyan) July 25, 2017