Trump Eyes White House Funeral for Late Brother on Friday

By Dana Cruz First Posted: Aug 18, 2020 05:54 AM EDT

President Donald Trump said he intends to hold a White House funeral for his younger brother, Robert Trump, on Friday.

When Trump faced reporters Monday, he said it would be "a great honor" for his late brother to have a White House funeral, as per New York Post.

Trump found it appropriate to celebrate his brother with a White House funeral, even though it is just a small ceremony.

"I think he'd be greatly honored. He loved our country. He loved our country so much. He would be so proud of what we were doing and what we are doing for our country," the President said.

According to Politico, Robert is the youngest of the President's four siblings. He died at the age of 71. He was sent to a hospital on Friday, and the president rushed to New York to visit him at his bedside.

On Saturday, several people who spoke with Trump noted that he appeared to be saddened by the impending loss of his brother. The decision to go to New York was last-minute, as Trump was heading to New Jersey for the weekend.

The White House did not tell what Robert's cause of death was. But The New York Times said he had experienced brain bleeds from a recent fall.

CNN also reported that Robert had been sick for several months.

Trump released a statement to deliver the news of his brother's passing late Saturday evening.

"It is with heavy heart I share that my wonderful brother, Robert, peacefully passed away tonight," he said in the statement.

"He was not just my brother, he was my best friend. He will be greatly missed, but we will meet again. His memory will live on in my heart forever. Robert, I love you. Rest in peace," he added.

A source said Trump personally dictated the statement before release.

Exact White House Location

It's not yet clear where exactly in the White House is the planned venue for the funeral. The nearest chapel to it was St. John's Episcopal Church, which is the opposite of Lafayette Square.

The Guardian noted that Trump had faced criticism before for using the White House for political events. Private ceremonies had happened in the White House before, though, while not common.

According to the White House Historical Association, the executive house saw at least 18 weddings. The earliest one documented was the nuptials featuring the sister of first lady Dolley Madison in 1812.

Most recently, former White House photographer Pete Souza also got married in the Rose Garden in 2013.

Impact of Robert's Death

On "Fox & Friends" early Monday, Trump opened up about the loss of his brother. He said Robert's death was "very hard" for him.

"It was not a great weekend," Trump said.

The President noted that he was not surprised by his brother's death, "but still, when it happens, it's a very tough thing." The President described his brother as his lifelong supporter.

While the late younger Trump chose to stay away from the spotlight, for the most part, he made headlines earlier this summer when he filed a lawsuit against a tell-all book about their family, written by Trump's niece.

Trump said that no matter what he did, Robert was right there in many cases and helped with whatever he did.When he became president, Robert was one of the most loyal people he had by his side.