An 11-year-old in Delaware who shares the same last name as President Trump has been the target of relentless bullying at school, his parents told local media this week.

Joshua Trump, who is not related to the president, was forced to take his father’s surname, Berto, after efforts by the Brandywine School District failed to curb the bullying, his parents told a local ABC News affiliate in a report aired Tuesday.

“They curse at him, they call him an idiot, they call him stupid,” said his mother, Megan Trump. “He said he hates himself, and he hates his last name, and he feels sad all the time, and he doesn’t want to live feeling like that anymore, and as a parent that’s scary.”

Joshua’s father, Bobby Berto, said the taunts began after Donald Trump announced his bid for the presidency. He said it got so bad that they pulled their son out of school last year and homeschooled him. They said they thought the bullying wouldn’t follow him to middle school, but it did.

Mark Mayer, principal of Talley Middle School in Wilmington, said teachers initially tried to avoid saying Joshua’s last name in an effort not to provoke other students.

“I do know the teachers were aware of the last name, and I know in speaking with the student that the teachers do their very best to try not to say his last name,” he told ABC.

Joshua’s parents said the bullying didn’t stop, and a subsequent investigation by the school led to the punishment of five other students.

“They were apologetic, and they did say that they were sorry,” Mr. Mayer said.

On Tuesday, school officials agreed to change Joshua’s last name to his father’s name in their system, ABC reported, adding that he would also be provided with “extra support” in case of future incidents.

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