Donald Trump Jr. joins family members at Bettina Anderson’s shower as Melania Trump remains absent
A high-profile gathering at Mar-a-Lago brought together members of the Trump family and a mix of political and social figures for a pre-wedding celebration honoring Bettina Anderson. The event, attended by influencers, business leaders, and conservative personalities, offered a rare public glimpse into the family dynamic ahead of the couple’s expected wedding.
One notable detail stood out: Melania Trump did not attend the celebration, according to a source cited by People.
A family gathering with a notable absence
While Melania was not present, several other members of the Trump family appeared at the event. Ivanka Trump and Tiffany Trump were both in attendance, representing different branches of the family.
Tiffany’s mother, Marla Maples, also joined the celebration and shared moments from the gathering publicly. In a social media post, she wrote, “So happy to share in your love,” alongside images from the event, which were set to U2’s “Beautiful Day.”
One of the most talked-about images from the event showed Donald Trump Jr. posing alongside Maples, his father’s former wife.
The event was hosted by Amy Phelan, with attendees including Mackenzie Moon Phelan, daughter of Secretary of the Navy John Phelan.
The gathering also brought renewed attention to the extended Trump family’s history. Ivanka is the daughter of the late Ivana Trump, who passed away in 2022 at the age of 73 following a fall at her New York City home.
Meanwhile, Maples was married to Donald Trump from 1993 to 1999, after a period of separation that preceded their divorce. Trump later married Melania in 2005.
However, Melania Trump’s absence stood out, particularly as it follows another recent instance in which she did not attend a family celebration. As reported, she also skipped Tiffany Trump’s baby shower the previous week in Miami.
PEOPLE previously noted she was occupied with her son, Barron Trump, at that time. According to People, Melania’s absence was confirmed by a Palm Beach source, though no specific reason was provided.
The report also noted that she did not attend a previous family event hosted by Ivanka in April 2025.
Engagement timeline and future considerations
Anderson, 39, and Trump Jr., 48, became engaged in December 2025 at Camp David in Maryland. According to People, discussions around a potential White House wedding have emerged, with timing possibly as early as spring.
A source cited by the publication suggested that such a setting could align with broader ambitions, stating, “This would set them up for future political roles, whether Don Jr. goes after the presidency or something else.”
The Mar-a-Lago event took place shortly after Melania publicly addressed allegations connected to Jeffrey Epstein, denying any relationship and calling for victims to be allowed to testify, as reported.
The celebration, marked by prominent attendees and family interactions, come
