Kimberly Guilfoyle and Donald Trump Jr.'s Breakup Is 'Not a Contentious Thing' and His 'Family Is Still Enamored with Her' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Kimberly Guilfoyle and Donald Trump, Jr. in 2018.Photo:Shannon Finney/Getty

Donald Trump, Jr. and Kimberly Guilfoyle attend the DC premiere of the film, “Death of a Nation” on August 1, 2018.

Shannon Finney/Getty

In the days afterDonald Trump Jr.was seen holding hands with Florida socialite Bettina Anderson, PEOPLE has learned that he and fiancéeKimberly Guilfoylehave broken up.

The end of their relationship comes after the two were first linked in 2018 amid Don Jr.‘sdivorce from his then-estranged wife, Vanessa. Months later, Don Jr., 46, and Guilfoyle, 55,were confirmed to be datingafter stepping out at an event in New York City. He and Guilfoyle, who was previously married to California Gov. Gavin Newsom,then got engagedon Jan. 1, 2022 after three years together.

“It’s an amicable split. It’s not one that is going to blow up, at least at this point,” the source continues.

Donald Trump Jr. in 2019; and Bettina Anderson in 2023.Theo Wargo/Getty ; John Parra/Getty

Donald Trump Jr. during New York Fashion Week on February 13, 2019 in New York City ; Bettina Anderson attends the Ballet Brilliance and Beauty Luncheon at the Carriage House on March 29, 2023 in Palm Beach, Florida.

Theo Wargo/Getty ; John Parra/Getty

“It’s a friendly split between Kimberly and Don Jr.,” the insider adds, noting “they’ve had a very long engagement [and] it was kind of in a holding pattern.”

“The Trump family is still enamored with her,” the source tells PEOPLE, referring to the former Fox News host and advisor on Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign — as well as her ongoing ties with the president-elect. “She’s very intelligent, very smart, very loyal. Even before she and Don were together, she was close with the family. She knew Donald before she knew Don Jr., and that connection is strong. So nothing has changed.”

Still, “she’s not easy to deal with,” the source says of Guilfoyle. “She’s very direct, very matter of fact.”

Donald Trump and Kimberly Guilfoyle.Kimberly Guilfoyle Instagram

Donald Trump and Kimberly Guilfoyle.

Kimberly Guilfoyle Instagram

A separate source close to the Trumps suggested to PEOPLE on Dec. 12 that Don Jr. sees Anderson as an equivalent toMelania Trump, who met the president-elect amid his second divorce while he was on a date with another woman.

“Don Jr. has always wanted to look good in his father’s eyes," the source said. “Someone like Bettina, who is and has been a model, and is in Waspy circles of Palm Beach is something that would impress him.”

While confirmation of the breakup is new, another source told PEOPLE on Dec. 11 that Don Jr. and Anderson have beenseeing each other for “about six months"and that Trump’s eldest child “even took her on a trip to Alaska and introduced her around as his girlfriend when he was still very much with Kim.”

Donald Trump Jr. and Kimberly Guilfoyle in July 2024.Andrew Harnik/Getty

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 15: Donald Trump Jr., son of former U.S. President Donald Trump, and Kimberly Guilfoyle attend the first day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 15, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Delegates, politicians, and the Republican faithful are in Milwaukee for the annual convention, concluding with former President Donald Trump accepting his party’s presidential nomination. The RNC takes place from July 15-18

Andrew Harnik/Getty

This came one day after Trump announced on social media that Guilfoyle had been nominated for an ambassadorship in Greece on Dec. 10. At the time, the president-elect said he named her for the role as she’s been “a close friend and ally” for “many years.”

Trump also said that Guilfoyle was “perfectly suited” to foster “strong bilateral relations with Greece, advancing our interests on issues ranging from defense cooperation to trade and economic innovation.” He added, “Her extensive experience and leadership in law, media, and politics along with her sharp intellect make her supremely qualified to represent the United States, and safeguard its interests abroad.”

Since then, a political insider told PEOPLE on Dec. 11 that “Bettina wants Kim out of the area,” and that she and Don Jr. “are trying to send Kim abroad.” The source added at the time, “They waited for the election to pass but they didn’t want the split to get in the way of anything to hurt Donald in the election.”

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PEOPLE has attempted to reach Don Jr., Anderson and Guilfoyle for comment about where their relationships stand, and requested comment from President-elect Trump about the timing of the nomination.

source: people.com