Donald Trump Jr. engaged to Bettina Anderson at White House Christmas party

Highlights:

President Donald Trump announced his son Donald Trump Jr.’s engagement during a White House Christmas reception on Monday evening, surprising guests and drawing loud applause. Trump Jr. is engaged to model and Palm Beach socialite Bettina Anderson after dating for just over a year.

The announcement was shared widely after conservative influencer Laura Loomer posted video footage from the event. In the clip, President Trump gives his son a cheek kiss before stepping away from the podium, allowing Trump Jr. and Anderson to address the crowd as guests cheered.

Standing beside his fiancée, Trump Jr. joked that it was rare for him to be short on words, saying, “We usually do the ranting and raving really well.” He then thanked Anderson for saying “yes,” calling the engagement “a big win for the end of the year.” He also wished guests a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

After Trump Jr. finished speaking, Anderson approached the podium and expressed her gratitude for the moment. She said it was a privilege to be in the White House and thanked President Trump for hosting the event. Turning to the First Lady, she praised the holiday decorations, calling them “unbelievable.”

Anderson told the crowd the weekend had been the most unforgettable of her life. She said she felt incredibly lucky to be engaged and to be marrying “the love of my life.” She smiled toward Trump Jr. as she spoke, appearing emotional and happy.

Earlier this year, Anderson publicly defended Trump Jr. after a New York Magazine opinion article criticized him, calling him a “spoiled heir” and a “nepo boy.” Anderson responded on Instagram, dismissing the article and standing firmly by her partner. “That’s my guy!” she wrote, laughing off the anonymous source quoted in the piece.

Trump Jr.’s personal life has often drawn public attention. He was previously married to model Vanessa Haydon from 2005 until their divorce in 2018. The former couple share five children.

After the divorce, Trump Jr. began dating former Fox News host Kimberly Guilfoyle, who later became the U.S. ambassador to Greece. The two were together for six years and announced their engagement in 2022. However, rumors of a breakup began circulating in 2024 when Trump Jr. was photographed kissing Anderson.

Entertainment outlet Page Six later confirmed that Trump Jr. and Guilfoyle ended their relationship in December of last year. In a statement at the time, Trump Jr. said the two would always care for each other and maintain a special bond.