President Donald Trump may have shocked his sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Bettina Anderson, as he said he was unsure about attending their Memorial Day weekend wedding in the Bahamas. The 79-year-old said he would “try to do it” but now was “not a good time”.
Why Trump might not attend his son’s wedding
The president was asked about Thursday’s wedding: Will you be attending your son’s wedding this weekend?
He responded: “He wants me to go. It’s going to be a small, personal thing. I’ll try to do it. I said, ‘This is not a good time for me. I have a thing called Iran and other things’… It’s something I can’t win. If I go in, I’ll be killed. If I don’t go in, I’ll be killed… Fake news, of course.”
Just a few weeks ago, Trump was reportedly the target of a shooting at WHCD in Washington, D.C.
Trump Jr. and Bettina Anderson are expected to marry in the Bahamas over Memorial Day weekend. The pair reportedly opted for a smaller, more private ceremony attended by close family and friends rather than a large public celebration. The wedding comes just months after the couple announced their engagement in December 2025.
The ceremony will mark Trump Jr.’s second marriage after being married to Vanessa Trump from 2005 to 2018, with whom he has five children.
Why weddings aren’t held in the White House
The couple had reportedly explored the possibility of a White House wedding earlier during planning discussions. However, these plans were ultimately scaled back due to ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly the war with Iran.
Instead, Trump Jr. and Anderson chose to hold a quiet ceremony in the Bahamas, away from the public spotlight.
Bettina Anderson’s growing role in Trump family circle
Since first connecting with Trump Jr. in 2024, Anderson and Trump Jr. have become increasingly prominent in political and social activities. The Palm Beach socialite attended several high-profile family gatherings, including appearances at Mar-a-Lago and campaign-related events involving President Trump.
She also reportedly hosted a “Magic Garden”-themed bridal shower at Mar-a-Lago before her wedding, which included several members of the Trump family.
Who is Bettina Anderson?
Anderson was born in December 1986 and grew up in Palm Beach, Florida.
She is the daughter of entrepreneur Harry Loy Anderson Jr. and philanthropist Inger Anderson. Her father became one of the youngest bank presidents in the United States and later served on various charity boards.
“My mom has always been an inspiration to me,” Anderson previously told Fashion Week .
She graduated from Columbia University in 2009 with degrees in art history, criticism, and conservation.
Anderson’s Nonprofit and Conservation Work
Along with her brother, Anderson helped found the Paradise Foundation, a nonprofit focused on disaster relief and environmental causes.
The organization later evolved into Paradise.ngo, where she currently serves as its executive director.
“One of the things I’ve focused on most in my life has been how to serve others and be a steward of the environment,” Anderson said.
She also supports conservation stories projects related to wildlife conservation efforts in Florida.
Timeline of Trump Jr. and Anderson’s relationship
Trump Jr. and Anderson were first publicly linked in August 2024, when he was reportedly still engaged to former Fox News host Kimberly Guilfoyle. Over the next few months, the two were photographed together multiple times in Palm Beach and at Trump family events.
By early 2025, People magazine cited sources as saying their relationship was serious, with insiders suggesting the couple might be “moving on.”
Anderson later appeared with Trump Jr. at the Republican National Convention and went on multiple family trips, including a visit to Scotland and a FIFA Club World Cup.
The engagement will become official in December 2025 after President Trump publicly announced the news at the White House.
“I’m not usually at a loss for words because I’m usually pretty good at ranting and raving,” Trump Jr. said in a statement. “I want to thank Bettina for saying, ‘Yes.’ “
Anderson added that it was “the most unforgettable weekend.”
Vanessa Trump shares health update
News of the marriage comes as Trump Jr.’s ex-wife Vanessa Trump is going through a difficult time. On Wednesday, she revealed via Instagram Stories that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Trump Jr. has five children with Vanessa Trump: Kay, 19, Donald III, 17, Tristan, 14, Spencer, 13, and Chloe, 11
