In a story that has captured both political and celebrity attention, new claims suggest that the relationship between Donald Trump Jr. and Palm Beach socialite Bettina Anderson began in an unexpected way. Reports say that before dating the president’s oldest son, Anderson had her eyes set on a different kind of power figure — Elon Musk.
According to people close to her, Anderson once shared that she was “going for Elon” and even hoped to have one of his children. She allegedly believed that getting close to Don Jr. could help her connect with the Tesla and SpaceX founder, who at the time was a trusted adviser and friend of President Donald Trump. The friendship between Trump and Musk reportedly cooled after a public feud in July but was later repaired when the two reunited at Charlie Kirk’s funeral in September.
Sources quoted by the Daily Mail said Anderson spoke openly about her plan among friends, describing Musk as her “ultimate goal”. They claimed she admired the billionaire’s mission to grow a large family to help “save the population”. Musk, now 54, is known to have at least 14 children with four women, including musician Grimes, though some reports suggest the real number could be higher.
From High Society to the Trump Circle
Bettina Anderson, 38, has long been known as one of Palm Beach’s most talked-about socialites. She comes from a wealthy and well-connected family. Her late father, Harry Loy Anderson Jr., was a successful businessman and banker who became president of Worth Avenue National Bank at just 26. Her mother, Inger Anderson, is a philanthropist who still resides in the family’s $11.5 million estate in Palm Beach.
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Anderson’s life has often been filled with luxury and attention. A Columbia University graduate, she describes herself as a “housewife with no chores”. Over the years, she has been seen at major charity events and high-society galas. Her dating history includes connections with well-known billionaires such as Ken Griffin, the hedge fund billionaire behind Citadel, and William “Beau” Wrigley Jr., heir to the Wrigley gum fortune.
Her path into the Trump circle began in mid-2024, when she was spotted seated directly behind Donald Trump Jr. and his then-fiancée, Kimberly Guilfoyle, during the Republican National Convention. Just a month later, Anderson and Don Jr. were photographed sharing a kiss in public — while he was still believed to be engaged to Guilfoyle.
By December 2024, things had changed dramatically. Photos from Anderson’s birthday celebration showed her and Don Jr. looking close, just hours before President Trump appointed Kimberly Guilfoyle as ambassador to Greece. A week later, reports confirmed that Don Jr. and Guilfoyle had ended their five-year relationship.
Turbulence Within the Family
Despite her new relationship, Anderson’s connection to the Trump family has not been smooth. Reports from early 2025 suggested that people close to the president viewed her as a “liability”. A Trump family friend told Mediaite that her presence caused “growing concern” and that Donald Trump himself did not approve of his son’s relationship.
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The tension reportedly became clear in January, when Anderson was seated apart from the Trump family during the president’s swearing-in ceremony. Insiders added that Anderson has yet to be accepted into the family circle.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump Jr. and Anderson have continued their relationship. The pair are currently staying in Don Jr.’s luxurious waterfront mansion in Jupiter, Florida — the same $10 million home he once shared with Kimberly Guilfoyle. The 11,000-square-foot property features six bedrooms and overlooks the water, symbolizing a life of wealth and status.
Sources say Guilfoyle, now living abroad as an ambassador, is unhappy about the arrangement. Friends told reporters she is worried about personal belongings still left in the house and dislikes the thought of Anderson using anything she once owned.
Although Anderson seems to have moved on from her earlier ambitions involving Elon Musk, her relationship with Donald Trump Jr. continues to attract both public and media attention. Those close to the family describe her as ambitious, outspoken, and well known across Palm Beach’s elite social scene.
