Donald Trump says his eldest son, Don Jr, has become “a different human being” since marrying earlier this year, joking that the 48-year-old has finally settled down.
Don Jr married 39-year-old socialite and model Bettina Anderson in Palm Beach in late May. The couple later traveled to the Bahamas for an extravagant reception.
The president did not attend the wedding, pointing to his national security duties as the conflict with Iran intensified.
During a visit to Ireland on Saturday, Trump, 80, spoke at the US ambassador’s Deerfield Residence in Phoenix Park, Dublin, and noted that Don Jr was also in the country.
“Don’s here with a whole group of family. And he just got married, he’s happily married, which is nice,” the president told staff members and diplomats.
“He’s calmed down so much. That’s a good sign. He’s like a different human being,” Trump said, prompting laughter from those gathered.
Trump also explained why First Lady Melania Trump was not accompanying him on the trip.
“My wife is here—my wife is here in spirit,” he said, acknowledging that he had tried to convince her to come but that she did not want to make the seven-hour journey.
Donald Trump says Don Jr has become “a different human being” since getting married earlier this year. He made the remarks during his visit to Ireland, pictured above.
Don Jr married 39-year-old socialite and model Bettina Anderson in Palm Beach in late May before traveling to the Bahamas for a lavish reception.
Trump then joked that Melania could have put on a “Make America Great Again” hat and joined him for the trip.
He had previously said he missed Don Jr’s wedding because his attention was focused on the war in Iran.
‘This is not good timing for me,’ he said at the time. ‘I have a thing called Iran and other things.
‘That’s one I can’t win on,’ he added. ‘If I do attend, I get killed. If I don’t attend, I get killed by the fake news. Hopefully they’re going to have a great marriage.’
Don Jr and his new bride instead celebrated their wedding with his siblings, Eric, 42, and Ivanka, 44, who also came with them to the Bahamas afterwards.
The couple’s marriage certificate, obtained by Our News Outlet, shows that they officially became husband and wife in a secret ceremony held at the West Palm Beach home of Anderson’s sister, Kristina McPherson.
Anderson said she would be taking the Trump surname.
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Don Jr and his new bride instead celebrated their wedding with his siblings, Eric, 42, and Ivanka, 44, who also came with them to the Bahamas afterwards
Don Jr was also among the speakers at the Republican midterm convention in Dallas, Texas, on Wednesday and Thursday.
He is typically ranked third in 2028 polls for the Republican presidential nomination.
President Trump arrived at Dublin Airport on Saturday morning, before holding official meetings at Phoenix Park with Irish President Catherine Connolly at Áras an Uachtaráin.
He also met Taoiseach Micheál Martin at Farmleigh House, before making his address at the US Ambassador’s Deerfield Residence.
Trump will spend the remainder of the trip at his resort, Trump International Golf Links & Hotel in Doonbeg, and attending the closing weekend of the Amgen Irish Open golf tournament.
He returns to the US on Sunday evening.
