Donald Trump Jr. and his wife, Vanessa Trump, announced their separation on March 15th,
2018.
While sources close to the couple seem to be divided on whether or not this is shocking
news, there have been indicators lurking for years that perhaps Don Jr. isn't the easiest
spouse in the world to have.
While we wait for the inevitable tell-all memoir or primetime news special, let's take
a look at the real reasons Don Jr.'s wife is divorcing him.
A united division
The Trumps released a joint statement announcing their divorce.
The statement said:
"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."
According to TMZ, Vanessa filed the legal documents "seeking an uncontested proceeding,"
which the site suggests is an indication that the power couple had a strong prenuptial agreement
in place.
Traveling hubby
Donald Trump Jr. is an active hunter, and his traveling for both work and sport has
allegedly caused a strain on their marriage.
Sources told Page Six:
"Vanessa is a devoted mother, but she is increasingly lonely and alone in the house with the children."
To his credit, Trump Jr. has always been up front about his travel schedule.
He once told The New York Times:
"For some people [...] they go hunting once every other year and they talk about it at
a cocktail party for the next two years until they do it again.
For me, it is the way I choose to live my life."
In other words: If Don Jr. was put in a position to choose between Vanessa and the great outdoors,
he'd probably already be wearing his blaze orange before giving his answer.
Social media
Another reason Vanessa Trump may have hit the eject button: she may have become increasingly
less impressed with her husband's social media presence.
One source told Page Six that even his friends have become "concerned" about his tweeting.
The tab cited his Twitter spat with a survivor of the Parkland, Florida shooting, his comments
on gun control, and his controversial joke about teaching his daughter about socialism
by giving her Halloween candy "to some kid who sat at home."
However, that wasn't the only part of political life that allegedly hasn't sat well with Vanessa…
Hail to the chief
In February 2018, Vanessa Trump was sent to the hospital after a package containing a
mysterious white powder was sent to her home.
Thankfully, the substance turned out to be nothing but corn starch, but the incident
may have been the last straw.
A source told Page Six:
"Vanessa is by nature [a] very low-key person, and she is uncomfortable with the attention
her family is getting now [that] the Trumps are on the world stage."
It's not too far of a stretch to think that over the past 12 years, Vanessa has had difficulty
with Don Jr. going from being arguably the quietest member of the Trump family to now
one of the most outspoken members of the tribe.
Fifty Shades ruined
While we're not trying to make light of something as painful as a divorce, we'd be remiss if
we did not highlight the time Donald Trump Jr. publicly bemoaned Vanessa Trump dragging
him to see Fifty Shades Darker.
On Feb. 10, 2017, Don Jr. tweeted his displeasure with what was clearly an early Valentine's
Day date, writing: "@MrsVanessaTrump took/dragged me to see the new 50 shades movie and I am
the only guy in an otherwise packed theater.
#bonuspoints."
Obviously, this likely had nothing to do with their eventual split, but it couldn't have
been a sign of anything good.
Positive spin
Donald Trump Jr. and Vanessa Trump only recently announced their divorce, so there's no reason
to expect any kind of dramatics coming from either party just yet.
But sources have already come out of the woodwork to tell TMZ that Don Jr. is "relieved," and
to look at Don Jr.'s social media, it's not hard to believe them.
On the same day the couple announced they were heading to splitsville, Don Jr. posted
a smiling photo with his daughter Chloe to his Instagram with the caption,
"No matter what is going on bedtime cuddling with the smurf puts a Yuge smile on my face."
The day after that smiley snap, Page Six reported that Vanessa hired a famed criminal defense
attorney to represent her in the divorce.
Yeah … it may be a good idea to shelve those sunny selfies for a while.
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