President Donald Trump has expressed uncertainty about attending his eldest son's wedding this weekend, citing the ongoing war in Iran and other pressing matters. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump said he would "try to make" the ceremony between Donald Trump Jr. and Bettina Anderson, which is reportedly set to take place in the Bahamas. However, he described the timing as "not good for me."
Trump's Comments on the Wedding
When asked if he planned to attend the wedding, Trump explained, "He'd like me to go. I said, 'You know, this is not good timing for me. I have a thing called Iran and other things.'" The president noted that the wedding is a "small little private affair," but he remains unsure about his attendance.
Trump insisted that he would face criticism regardless of his decision. "That's one I can't win on," he said. "If I do attend, I get killed. If I don't attend, I get killed by the fake news, of course." He added, "I'm going to try and make it."
Context of the Iran War
Nearly 12 weeks into the Iran war, President Trump is grappling with record-low approval ratings. The public's discontent has grown over rising costs of gasoline, groceries, and other everyday expenses, all of which have been impacted by the conflict in the Middle East. Despite these challenges, Trump has spent at least five weekends since the war began at his Mar-a-Lago golf club and at least three at his Doral golf club in Florida. According to TrumpGolfTrack, he played golf on at least seven of those occasions.
Historical Precedent
Other presidents have attended or hosted weddings for family members. Former President Joe Biden hosted his granddaughter Naomi Biden's wedding at the White House in November 2022. Former President George W. Bush also hosted a wedding reception for his daughter Jenna Bush-Hager at the White House in June 2008.
Donald Trump Jr.'s Relationship
This wedding marks Donald Trump Jr.'s second marriage and third engagement. He was previously married to Vanessa Trump, with whom he has five children, and was engaged to Kimberly Guilfoyle, who now serves as Ambassador to Greece. Trump Jr. began dating Bettina Anderson in 2024, and the couple got engaged in December 2025. The president himself announced the engagement at a White House holiday party, referring to Anderson as "a person I've known for a long time."
Trump concluded, "Hopefully they're going to have a great marriage."
