Like father, like son.
Donald Trump Jr.’s wife has filed for divorce.
Vanessa Trump married Trump Jr. in 2005. They have five children.
The reasons for the divorce filed Thursday in Manhattan Supreme Court were not clear. The divorce was listed as “uncontested,” indicating the split was amicable. Trump Jr., 40, has been traveling extensively while running his father’s business with his brother, Eric.
President Trump has been divorced twice and is married to Melania Trump. Trump’s first wife, Ivana, is Trump Jr.’s mother.
The Trumps issued a joint statement asking for privacy.
“After 12 years of marriage, we have decided to go our separate ways. We will always have tremendous respect for each other and our families. We have five beautiful children together and they remain our top priority. We ask for your privacy during this time.”
In a 2006 interview with the International Herald Tribune, Vanessa shared how she met her future ex.
“I’m at this fashion show,” Vanessa said, recalling the 2003 encounter. “Donald Trump comes up to me with his son: ‘Hi, I’m Donald Trump. I wanted to introduce you to my son Donald Trump Jr.'”
The three briefly chatted and then crossed paths again during intermission.
“Donald comes back up to me again, ‘I don’t think you’ve met my son Donald Trump Jr.,'” Vanessa said.
“Yeah, we just met, five minutes ago,” she replied.
Last month, Vanessa, 40, was taken to a hospital after opening an envelope addressed to Trump Jr. containing a white powder. A note accompanying the powder — which was later determined to be corn starch — read “now you get what you deserve,” sources said. A Massachusetts man, Daniel Frisiello, 24, was charged with sending the material.
Nancy Chemtob, who is not involved in the Trump case, but previously represented Matt Lauer’s wife, Annette Roque, said the “uncontested” filing did not guarantee the divorce would remain that way.
“What could be so bad that you just can’t wait?” she said.
The divorce came on the same day The New York Times reported that special counsel Robert Mueller had served subpoenas on the Trump Organization for any internal documents related to Russia.
Mueller has also reportedly been looking into a Trump Tower meeting Trump Jr. held with Russians who offered dirt on Hillary Clinton in 2016.
Chemtob said it was possible that Mueller’s investigation into interference in the 2016 election played a role in the timing of the divorce.
“(Vanessa) may want to distance herself as much as possible from the investigation,” she said.
“If this is going to affect her financially, then separating now would be in her best interest.”
