President Donald Trump is RSVPing “no” to his eldest son’s wedding, citing the need to remain at the White House “during this important period of time.”
Trump announced his decision on Friday via Truth Social after hinting he was uncertain to attend earlier in the week because of the war with Iran.
“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,” Trump 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!”
Trump on Thursday cast doubt on his attendance amid his pending weekend deadline for Iran to counter-propose a more permanent peace deal.
“He’d like me to go,” the president told reporters in the Oval Office. “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. That’s one I can’t win on.”
“If I do attend, I get killed. If I don’t attend, I get killed, by the fake news, of course,” he added. “He’s got a very — a person who I’ve known for a long time, and hopefully they are going to have a great marriage.”
Earlier in the week, Trump announced that he would delay a new attack on Iran, which had been planned for Tuesday, after Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates asked for more time to negotiate with Tehran. Trump told reporters on Wednesday that he would give the Iranians until potentially Memorial Day to deliver another counteroffer.
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The younger Trump and his fiancee, Florida socialite Bettina Anderson, are due to wed on Saturday in the Bahamas. Donald Trump Jr. was previously married to Vanessa Trump, with whom he has five children, and who this week announced she had been diagnosed with cancer. Vanessa Trump is currently dating golfer Tiger Woods.
Donald Trump Jr. was also previously engaged to the U.S. Ambassador to Greece, former Fox News personality Kimberly Guilfoyle.