Guests are expected to gather on a small private island in the Bahamas on Saturday for an intimate wedding celebration for Donald Trump Jr., the president’s eldest son, and his wife, Bettina Anderson, a Palm Beach socialite and influencer, according to Christine Schott, a representative for Anderson.
The events this weekend will serve as a prelude to a larger celebration at the White House, Schott said. Representatives for the White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Saturday.
“They are going to have a bigger celebration in the fall at the White House, or sometime, whenever it’s appropriate,” Schott said, adding that the couple would hold off until circumstances changed in Washington and the wider world. “It’ll be when the president can hopefully attend,” she said.
The couple had been officially married in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Thursday. The groom’s siblings, Eric Trump and Ivanka Trump, are expected to attend the celebration on Saturday with their spouses, Schott said. Ivanka Trump posted a video on her Instagram story showing a flight view over bright blue waters.
President Trump said on Truth Social on Friday that he would not be attending. “I feel it is important for me to remain in Washington, D.C., at the White House during this important period of time,” he said, adding, “Congratulations to Don and Bettina!”
“It was supposed to be small and just fun, like a party weekend with just like their three closest friends,” said Schott, who added that family members in attendance may also include some or all of Trump Jr.’s five children with his ex-wife Vanessa Trump.
Schott said details about the celebration on Saturday had reached the public earlier than Anderson would have liked. She said the bride was disappointed that friends had leaked information, including the location, compromising their privacy. “They were trying to keep it quiet,” Schott said.
Early on Saturday, Anderson texted Schott that reports that she is keeping her name are false; Anderson will take the Trump name.
The Palm Beach area has been the setting for much of the activity surrounding the nuptials of Anderson and Trump Jr. In addition to marrying legally in the area on Thursday, Anderson’s bridal shower was held last month in a ballroom at President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, with attendees that included designer Stacey Bendet and the president’s ex-wife Marla Maples. Its hosts included the Palm Beach philanthropist Audrey Gruss, entrepreneur Yaz Fernandez and Amy Phelan, whose husband, John Phelan, served as secretary of the Navy under President Trump.
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