US President Donald Trump has announced that he will not attend the wedding of his son, Donald Trump Jr., to Bettina Anderson this weekend, citing responsibilities at the White House.
In a post shared on Truth Social on Friday, May 22, Trump said official duties would keep him in Washington, D.C.
“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,” he wrote.
“I feel it is important for me to remain in Washington, D.C., at the White House during this important period of time. Congratulations to Don and Bettina!”
The wedding is reportedly set to take place in the Bahamas.
A day earlier, Trump told reporters he was uncertain about attending because of ongoing international matters, including tensions involving Iran.
“He’d like me to go,” Trump said when asked about the ceremony. “But it’s going to be just a small little private affair. And I’m going to try and make it. I’m in the midst — I said, you know, this is not good timing for me. I have a thing called Iran and other things.”
He also joked about possible media criticism over his decision, saying: “If I do attend, I get killed. If I don’t attend, I get killed. By the fake news, of course, I’m talking about.”
Despite not specifying the exact responsibilities keeping him in Washington, the president’s updated weekend schedule reportedly lists only “executive time” at the White House for Saturday and Sunday.
The upcoming marriage will be the second for Donald Trump Jr., who shares five children with his former wife, Vanessa Trump. The couple divorced in 2018 during Trump’s first term in office.
