A new report has outlined the claimed reasons Barron Trump was absent from his stepbrother Donald Trump Jr.’s wedding celebrations.
Melania Trump also did not appear at the high-profile event, which was held in the Bahamas last week.
Trump Jr. and his longtime partner, Bettina Anderson, are said to have tied the knot in Palm Beach before heading to the islands for a larger celebration just off Florida’s coast.
Questions had circulated over whether the President would attend, though the ongoing conflict in Iran has kept attention firmly on events in Washington.
Even without being there in person, the President posted a message of congratulations on Truth Social, writing: “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 do do so.
“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!”
According to a source speaking to Rob Schuter, Barron is still not especially close with his older half-siblings. They said: “Barron grew up in a completely different world from Don Jr., Eric, Ivanka, and Tiffany. There’s emotional distance there, and everyone in the family knows it.”
The source also addressed Melania’s reported decision not to attend, saying: “Melania did not want to spend a full weekend with Donald’s adult children from previous marriages.
“That tension has existed for years, even if nobody says it publicly.”
They further claimed the family had moved fully into ‘security mode’ in light of an alleged assassination threat to Ivanka Trump.
Earlier this month, Page Six reported that Trump Jr. and Anderson were eager to marry as soon as possible.
The outlet added that the couple had initially wanted a White House wedding, but switched plans due to the war in Iran.
This is set to be Trump Jr.’s second marriage, following his 12 year-long marriage to Vanessa Trump. She announced on May 20 that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. The couple divorced in 2018.
In her Instagram post, Vanessa said she is ‘staying focused and hopeful’ after receiving the diagnosis, and described being surrounded by her family, children, and close friends.
During their time together, Trump Jr. and Vanessa had five children: daughters Kai and Chloe, and sons Donald III, Tristan and Spence.
The White House has been approached for comment.