President Donald Trump has opened up about a noticeable change in his eldest son following Donald Trump Jr.’s marriage to Bettina Anderson earlier this year.
Speaking during his visit to Ireland on Saturday, Trump told an audience at the U.S. ambassador’s Deerfield Residence in Dublin that his 48-year-old son had joined other members of the family in the country.
The president then turned his attention to Don Jr.’s newlywed life and offered a lighthearted assessment of how marriage appears to have affected him.
“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 says his son is ‘happily married’
Don Jr. married Anderson, 39, in late May before the newlyweds traveled to the Bahamas for a luxury celebration.
“Don’s here with a whole group of family. And he just got married, he’s happily married, which is nice,” Trump told staff and diplomats during his remarks in Dublin.
According to a marriage certificate obtained by the Daily Mail, the couple officially became husband and wife during a private ceremony at the West Palm Beach home of Anderson’s sister, Kristina McPherson.
Anderson, a socialite and model, said she would take the Trump surname.
While the president did not attend the wedding himself, Don Jr.’s siblings Eric Trump and Ivanka Trump were present and later joined the couple in the Bahamas.
Trump previously explained that his absence was connected to his presidential responsibilities as the war with Iran escalated.
“This is not good timing for me,” Trump said at the time, referring to Iran and other matters demanding his attention.
He also acknowledged the difficult position his absence created, saying he expected criticism whether he attended the wedding or stayed away.
“Hopefully they’re going to have a great marriage,” Trump added.
Trump family joins Ireland trip
Don Jr.’s presence in Ireland came shortly after he appeared among the speakers at the Republican midterm convention in Dallas, Texas, on Wednesday and Thursday.
The president arrived at Dublin Airport on Saturday before holding official meetings in Phoenix Park.
Trump met Irish President Catherine Connolly at Áras an Uachtaráin and later held talks with Taoiseach Micheál Martin at Farmleigh House before speaking at the U.S. ambassador’s residence.
During those remarks, Trump also addressed why First Lady Melania Trump had not accompanied him.
“My wife is here — my wife is here in spirit,” the president said.
Trump explained that he had attempted to persuade Melania to make the seven-hour journey before joking that she could have put on a “Make America Great Again” hat and joined him.
The president was scheduled to spend the remainder of his visit at Trump International Golf Links & Hotel in Doonbeg and attend the closing weekend of the Amgen Irish Open before returning to the United States on Sunday evening.
A new chapter for Don Jr.
Don Jr.’s marriage marks a new personal chapter for the president’s eldest son, who remains active in Republican politics.
He is typically ranked third in polling for the 2028 Republican presidential nomination, according to the information reported in the original account.
But during his remarks in Ireland, Trump kept the focus on his son’s personal life rather than his political future.
Just months after Don Jr. and Anderson exchanged vows, the president’s assessment was simple: his son is happily married, has “calmed down” and, in Trump’s words, has become “a different human being.”
