President Donald Trump said on May 22 he will not attend his eldest son's upcoming nuptials.
"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 to do so," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
"I feel it is important for me to remain in Washington, D.C., at the White House during this important period of time."
"I get to marry the love of my life, and I feel like the luckiest girl in the world!” Anderson said at the time, prompting Trump to wish the couple, "good luck."
Details of the wedding, including the location, have not been confirmed.
The president had been scheduled this weekend to be in Bedminster, New Jersey, in addition to Washington, but the White House said on May 22 he would only be in Washington.
Asked about the upcoming wedding, Trump told reporters on Thursday that his son wanted him to go.
"It's going to be just a small little private affair, and I'm going to try and make it," he said. "I said: 'You know this is not good timing for me. I have a thing called Iran and other things.' That's one I can't win on. If I do attend I get killed. If I don't attend I get killed by the fake news.”
The United States is engaged in a war with Iran.
The president said he has known Anderson for a long time and he hopes the couple will have a great marriage.
On Truth Social, he offered congratulations to his son and his fiancée.
Trump Jr. has not commented on the development.
Trump's eldest son was married to model Vanessa Trump from 2005 until they divorced in 2018. They have five children.
Vanessa Trump, 48, announced this week that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer, writing on Instagram, "I am staying focused and hopeful while surrounded by the love and support of my family, my kids, and those closest to me."
Trump Jr. was later engaged to political commentator and former prosecutor Kimberly Guilfoyle.
Guilfoyle is part of the Trump administration, currently serving as the U.S. ambassador to Greece.