Donald Trump Jr’s friends fear new GF Bettina Anderson is only using him to climb up the social ladder

PALM BEACH, FLORIDA: Donald Trump Jr, 46, and Palm Beach socialite Bettina Anderson, 38, are definitely turning heads—but not all approve of their relationship.

Insiders close to the Trump family are in full damage control mode, doing everything short of staging an intervention to convince Don Jr to call it quits with his new flame. 

For starters, Bettina’s “MAGA credentials” are reportedly under fire. Her past support for the Black Lives Matter movement and strict Covid restrictions aren’t exactly resonating with Don Jr’s circle, who reportedly worry she’s not “MAGA enough".

And if that wasn’t enough, tongues are wagging about Bettina’s reputation as a notorious Palm Beach party girl—something some Trump allies feel doesn’t vibe with the prestige of the first family.

Is Bettina Anderson climbing the social ladder?

Don Trump Jr and Bettina Anderson's relationship has reportedly blossomed just weeks before Donald Trump is set to be sworn in as the 47th president on January 20, 2025. Bettina, it seems, is already planning to make her grand debut at Trump’s inauguration next month.

But not everyone’s thrilled about Bettina joining the Trumps. “It’s one thing to worry about Palm Beach shenanigans making a stop at Mar-a-Lago,” a source close to the transition team dished to the Daily Mail. “But to let those problems penetrate the White House is a new level of trouble.” 

Some of Don Jr’s pals aren’t buying the love story. At least two close associates claim Bettina is using Don Jr as a stepping stone to climb the social ladder. Her lavish influencer lifestyle and penchant for high-profile connections have raised eyebrows, with whispers that she’s just in it for the perks.

But does Don Jr care? Apparently not. The pair recently jetted off to Italy for a dreamy getaway, just days after news of their relationship broke.

“They know there’s going to be gossip and trash-talking,” a close friend of Don Jr told Daily Mail. “That’s just the world of Palm Beach and, you know, the universe they live in. It’s not really a surprise to either that people are s**t talking.”

And if anyone’s tried to talk Don Jr out of his new romance, he hasn’t been rattled enough to share those concerns with his inner circle, the friend added.

This isn’t the first time Bettina’s grabbing headlines. Back in September, photos of her and Don Jr cuddling at a Palm Beach restaurant surfaced while he was still publicly engaged to Kimberly Guilfoyle.

Fast-forward to December, and Daily Mail broke the story that Don Jr and Kimberly’s four-year engagement was officially over. Hours later, President-elect Trump named Guilfoyle as his pick for Ambassador to Greece.

A divided verdict over Donald Trump Jr's new GF Bettina Anderson

While some are lavishing praises on Bettina Anderson, others aren’t so charitable.

Fashion designer Stacey Bendet — CEO of Alice + Olivia — for one, isn’t having any of the hate.

“I’ve been friends with Bettina for a decade,” she told Daily Mail. “She’s the kindest soul, she has the biggest heart, she is witty and wise, hilariously funny, and an Ivy League grad—anyone who says a word otherwise is just another societal example of women fixating on competing versus empowering. Don adores her for good reasons!”

Bendet and Bettina have been spotted together at numerous Alice + Olivia events over the years, and the brand even posted a TikTok thanking Bettina for hosting their annual “Galentines” charity bash.

But not everyone’s so supportive. Another Trump insider claims Bettina is the last person they want close to the family. There are rumors that Bettina is angling to use Don Jr as a stepping stone to “bigger fish", especially someone like tech billionaire Elon Musk.

A modeling industry source speculated to Daily Mail that Bettina is trying to cozy up to Musk, who’s been a key player in Trump’s orbit since the election and will lead the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) agency.

Palm Beach insiders aren’t shy about their disdain. One source summed it up: “We want to protect the Trump brand and don’t want her close to the family.”

Anderson’s critics also claim her PR firm Kilo Content actively tips off reporters and paparazzi about her outings with Don Jr in a bid to boost her profile. And some accuse her of riding the wave of the Trump name because it’s the “in” thing right now.