WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump on May 22 said he won’t be attending the wedding of his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr, to Palm Beach socialite Bettina Anderson because he has to stay in Washington for government business.
“While I very much wanted to be with my son, Don Jr, and the newest member of the Trump Family, his soon to be wife, Bettina, circumstances pertaining to Government, and my love for the United States of America, do not allow me to do so,” Mr Trump wrote, in a post on Truth Social.
“I feel it is important for me to remain in Washington, DC, at the White House during this important period of time,” the post continued.
The wedding is taking place this weekend on a small island in the Bahamas, CNN reported on May 21, citing two people familiar with the plans.
A spokesperson for Mr Donald Trump Jr did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Mr Trump told reporters on May 21 that Mr Donald Trump Jr wanted his father to attend, but that it was going to be a “small private affair”.
Mr Trump said then he would try to make the wedding but the timing was bad for him.
“I have a thing called Iran and other things,” Mr Trump said on May 21.
The Trump administration is currently engaged in diplomatic talks mediated by Pakistan aimed at securing a deal to end the war with Iran the US and Israel began on Feb 28 which has roiled the global economy.
This is the third time Mr Donald Trump Jr has been engaged.
He was previously married to Mrs Vanessa Trump, a former model and actress, for 12 years and the couple have five children together. Mrs Trump filed for a divorce in 2018.
He was later engaged to Ms Kimberly Guilfoyle, a US television personality, until they separated in 2024. REUTERS