United States President has said he hopes to attend the wedding of his eldest son, but admitted the timing was difficult because of the ongoing conflict involving Iran.
Donald Trump Jr., 48, is expected to marry Bettina Anderson this weekend in the Bahamas, according to reports in the United States.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump said he was making efforts to be present at the ceremony despite mounting pressure over the war situation and domestic political concerns.
“He’d like me to go. It’s going to be just a small little private affair and I’m going to try and make it,” Trump said.
The president noted that the wedding comes at a period when his administration is focused on efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict with Iran, which has continued to generate criticism and affect public approval ratings ahead of the November midterm elections.
“I said, ‘This is not good timing for me. I have a thing called Iran and other things,’” Trump added.
He also joked about the likely media reaction regardless of whether he attends the wedding or not.
“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 said.
Popularly known as Don Jr., the president’s son currently serves as an executive vice president of and remains one of the most visible supporters of his father’s political movement.
He has frequently appeared alongside the president at public and political events, including recent trips involving the White House and the family’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
Last year, Donald Trump Jr. hinted at the possibility of seeking the presidency in the future, saying he could consider running “maybe one day.”
Trump’s current term as president is expected to end in January 2029, although he has yet to publicly endorse a preferred successor within the Republican Party.