Don Jr’s sweet family photo sparks debate as fans spot detail: ‘Not next to the child!’
Donald Trump Jr. sparked controversy over the weekend after sharing a series of photos featuring himself and two of his children.
The eldest son of the president-elect posted the images on Instagram, where he boasts over 7.9 million followers.
“Game night and indoor s’mores!” captioned the 47-year-old executive vice president of the Trump Organization, shortly after introducing his new girlfriend, Bettina Anderson, at Mar-a-Lago during a New Year’s Eve celebration.
In the photos shared on Saturday, Anderson was notably absent, with Trump Jr. instead pictured with his two youngest children, Spencer, 12, and Chloe, 10.
Also missing was Trump Jr.’s former fiancée, Kimberly Guilfoyle, 55, with whom he started dating in 2018 and became engaged in 2020.
While the posts seemed relatively harmless, they quickly drew criticism from some viewers, who were not bothered by the presence of junk food but rather by a single canister of Zyn.
Zyn is a brand of nicotine pouch that is placed between the gums and lip, gaining popularity among conservatives. The container was spotted on the table where the family was enjoying snacks and playing board games.
The children, from Trump Jr.’s marriage to his ex-wife Vanessa Trump, appeared to be enjoying s’mores and throwing axes with their father, while observers took issue with the tobacco product.
Scroll down for video:
Donald Trump Jr. spawned some outrage over the weekend after posting a series of photos with two of his kids, Spencer, 12, and 10-year-old Chloe
Observers expressed concern over a single canister of Zyn placed on the table near Donald Trump Jr.’s youngest child, just days after he introduced his new girlfriend at his father’s New Year’s celebration in Mar-a-Lago.
“Not the [Z]yn next to the child!” commented one prominent user, while Kimberly Guilfoyle, a former Fox News host, prepares for her new role as ambassador to Greece.
“You probably shouldn’t let your daughter [Z]yn at that age,” quipped another commenter, seemingly in jest.
“It’s the [Z]yn for me,” remarked someone else, adding a laughing emoji to their comment.
“S’mores and [Z]ynns,” another user chimed in, sharing emojis that indicated their amusement at the situation.
While some pointed out the product’s closeness to the children, they did not seem overly concerned, noting that the canister was closed and the kids appeared unaware of its presence.
“The joy and happiness in [this] family,” wrote one observer, as others urged Trump Jr. to reconcile with Guilfoyle.
“And I see the Zyn. Spittin while huntin,” joked another user.
The post and its reactions come after Zyn has emerged as an unexpected symbol of conservative masculinity over the past year, partly due to endorsements from figures like Tucker Carlson and the founders of the Full Send podcast.
Some of the criticisms were made in jest, while others were more serious – as the tobacco product is not intended for minors
The trio also appeared to engage in some ax-throwing, though it was the Zyn that set onlookers off
The product made headlines in November when Fox News’ Tucker Carlson ditched it to launch his on competitor, after finding issue with Democratic donations made by employees at Philip Morris
The Fox News host is seen with a pack of the pouches during preparations for the fourth day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 18, 2024 in Milwaukee
Tucker Carlson creates his own nicotine patch called ‘Alp’
The product made headlines in November when Tucker Carlson decided to abandon it to launch a competitor called ALP, due to dissatisfaction with alleged political donations made by employees of the prominent tobacco company Philip Morris to the Democratic Party.
This news comes just weeks after reports suggested that Donald Trump Jr. and his then-fiancée had been arguing publicly at various events, following their purchase of a $9.7 million home in Admirals Cove, located 20 miles north of Mar-a-Lago, over the summer.
The couple’s relationship has since deteriorated, with insiders telling the Daily News last month that Trump Jr. has been involved with Bettina Anderson, a model from a wealthy family in Palm Beach, for at least six months.
As these reports surfaced, Trump Jr. was compelled to issue a statement, breaking his silence on the split by saying that they are handling it amicably.
“Kimberly and I will never stop caring for each other and will always maintain a special bond,” he stated, before celebrating his birthday with Anderson last week while ringing in the New Year. Trump Jr.’s birthday is on December 31.
He told Page Six, “I could not be more proud of her and the important role she’ll continue to play [as U.S. ambassador to Greece],” after his father recently endorsed her for the position.
Trump Jr. also praised the former California attorney, saying, “She’s been an undefeated prosecutor, a national TV news star, a leader of the MAGA movement, and a close advisor to the president.”
It also comes weeks after reports suggested Trump Jr and his then-fiancée had been arguing publicly at various events, all after buying a $9.7million home 20 miles north of Mar-a-Lago over the summer
Take a look back at the relationship of Don Jr. and Kimberly Guilfoyle
On New Year’s Eve, Trump’s debuted his new girlfriend, Palm Beach socialite Bettina Anderson
Anderson, 38, turned heads in a striking red dress at the Trump family’s Christmas celebration at Mar-a-Lago. However, she was not seen in her beau’s photos shared on Saturday.
“The people of Greece are getting an absolute star, and now the whole world will see it more than ever,” he concluded.
Guilfoyle, who also spearheaded fundraising for Trump’s 2020 campaign, was previously married to Gavin Newsom, the Democratic governor of California. The couple split after five years together, from 2001 to 2006. Guilfoyle later married businessman Eric Villency, but they divorced in 2009.
Trump Jr., on the other hand, was married to his ex-wife from 2005 to 2018 and has five children: Kai, 17; Donald, 15; Tristan, 13; and twins Spencer and Chloe.
As for his new relationship with Anderson, it was solidified last week at Mar-a-Lago, just three months after DailyMail.com reported that the pair were seen affectionately together at another Palm Beach restaurant, sharing kisses in front of astonished diners.