Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of US President Donald Trump, has quietly married longtime girlfriend Bettina Anderson in an intimate ceremony in Florida, according to multiple US media reports published Friday. The marriage reportedly took place on May 21 at the West Palm Beach home of Anderson’s twin sister, just days before the couple’s planned wedding celebration in the Bahamas.
The revelation emerged after reviewed the couple’s official Florida marriage certificate, confirming that Trump Jr. and Anderson are already legally married ahead of their highly anticipated Caribbean ceremony.
According to the report, the ceremony was held at the home of Kristina Anderson McPherson, Bettina Anderson’s twin sister, in West Palm Beach. Her husband, Bradley McPherson, a real estate attorney with ties to Palm Beach’s elite social circle, reportedly officiated the ceremony in front of close relatives and select guests.
The quiet marriage marks a new chapter for Donald Trump Jr., 48, who had announced his engagement to Anderson during a White House holiday gathering in December 2025. President Donald Trump publicly introduced the couple during the event, signaling formal approval from the Trump family.
The couple is still expected to hold a separate wedding celebration this weekend on a private island in the Bahamas, though reports suggest the gathering will be significantly smaller and more private than earlier plans for a grand ceremony linked to the Trump family’s Mar-a-Lago orbit.
Insiders cited by People said the pair intentionally avoided a large-scale political spectacle and opted instead for a low-profile island celebration away from intense media scrutiny.
President Donald Trump, however, is reportedly expected to skip the Bahamas festivities altogether. The US president said ongoing governmental responsibilities and tensions connected to Iran have forced him to remain in Washington during Memorial Day weekend.
In comments reported by several outlets, Trump acknowledged that attending the event during a period of geopolitical strain could trigger political backlash regardless of his decision.
The timing of the wedding has added an unusual geopolitical dimension to what would otherwise be a high-profile celebrity and political family event. Trump’s administration has faced mounting international scrutiny over escalating tensions involving Iran, while critics continue questioning Washington’s military posture in the Middle East.
For Donald Trump Jr., the marriage is his second. He was previously married to model Vanessa Trump from 2005 until their divorce was finalized in 2018. The former couple share five children together and have remained publicly cordial in recent years.
Following his split from Vanessa Trump, Trump Jr. entered a high-profile relationship with former Fox News personality Kimberly Guilfoyle. Their engagement eventually ended in 2024, although Guilfoyle later accepted a diplomatic role as US ambassador to Greece.
Bettina Anderson, meanwhile, comes from Palm Beach’s best-known social and philanthropic families. Born in December 1986, Anderson is a Columbia University graduate with a background in art history and nonprofit work.
Her family’s Paradise Fund organization has focused on disaster relief and conservation projects in Florida and the Caribbean.
Trump Jr. and Anderson first drew public attention as a couple in 2024 after photographs surfaced showing them together in Palm Beach. Their relationship rapidly evolved into one of the most watched romances inside conservative political circles and elite Florida society.
The pair later appeared together at multiple political and social events, including campaign gatherings, sports events, and exclusive dinners attended by influential Republican donors and international figures.
The Bahamas celebration is expected to include close family members and selected friends from Palm Beach and Republican political circles, though security surrounding the event has reportedly been tightened considerably because of the Trump family’s political prominence.
Despite Donald Trump’s absence, members of the Trump family are expected to participate in the festivities. Reports suggest the couple wanted to complete the legal marriage process before the larger celebration and before the start of the Atlantic hurricane season, which often disrupts travel across Florida and the Caribbean during summer months.
The wedding also arrives during an intense political climate in the US as Donald Trump continues balancing presidential responsibilities, global conflicts, and mounting scrutiny ahead of a politically charged summer season.
—Inputs from Sputnik.
