The White House is appealing to the news media for privacy for President Donald Trump’s young son, Barron.

Stephanie Grisham, a spokesman for first lady Melania Trump, says the 11-year-old “deserves every opportunity to have a private childhood.”

The request follows criticism of Barron in a column published by The Daily Caller, a conservative website.

The column criticized the boy’s attire of shorts, a T-shirt that said “On Your Mark Tiger Shark” and loafers without socks for Sunday’s return trip to the White House after summer vacation at the family’s home on Trump’s private golf club in central New Jersey.

Springer wrote that since Barron doesn’t have any responsibilities as the president’s son, he could at least dress the part when he’s in public.

Chelsea Clinton defended Barron on Twitter.

Chelsea Clinton @ChelseaClinton

It's high time the media & everyone leave Barron Trump alone & let him have the private childhood he deserves http://amp.dailycaller.com/2017/08/21/its-high-time-barron-trump-starts-dressing-like-hes-in-the-white-house/ 

7:59 PM - Aug 21, 2017

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Chelsea Clinton @ChelseaClinton

Dear Matty-Barron is A KID. No child should be talked about in the below manner-in real life or online. And for an adult to do so? For shame https://twitter.com/mattyrenn/status/900022770695897088 

12:03 PM - Aug 22, 2017

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Melania Trump @FLOTUS

Thank you @ChelseaClinton - so important to support all of our children in being themselves! https://twitter.com/chelseaclinton/status/900025593319874561 

11:00 PM - Aug 22, 2017