Donald Trump Jr. Quietly Gets Married Before the Big Bahamas Bash

So here’s a plot twist nobody saw coming: Donald Trump Jr. didn’t just get engaged to Bettina Anderson—he already got married. Court documents obtained by Us Weekly reveal that the couple obtained a marriage license in Palm Beach County, Florida on Thursday, May 21, with real estate attorney Brad McPherson officiating the private ceremony.

The quiet legal union comes just days before their planned intimate celebration in the Bahamas over Memorial Day weekend. And here’s the kicker: Anderson, a socialite and model, doesn’t plan to take on“Trump”as her legal last name—a choice that speaks volumes about keeping things on her own terms.

The real headline, though? President Donald J. Trump won’t be attending. In a Truth Social post on Friday, May 22, the 79-year-old explained his absence:“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 cited ongoing military conflict in Iran as the reason, adding that he felt it was important to remain at the White House during this period. Earlier, when reporters asked about the timing conflict, Trump had said,“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, I’m talking about.”

Donald Jr., 48, and Anderson, 39, announced their engagement in December 2025 at a White House holiday party, where Anderson shared her excitement:“It’s really been the most unforgettable weekend of my life, and I get to marry the love of my life. I feel just like the luckiest girl in the world.”Donald Jr. later revealed he’d orchestrated an elaborate proposal to pop the question.

This marks Donald Jr.’s second marriage. He was previously married to model Vanessa Trump for 13 years before separating in 2018 and finalizing their divorce that same year. The couple shares five children together: daughters Kai Madison, 19, and Chloe Sophia, 11, plus sons Donald III, 17, Tristan Milos, 14, and Spencer Frederick, 13. For Anderson, this is her first marriage. She’s the daughter of late banking executive Harry Loy Anderson Jr. and model Inger Anderson.