Donald Trump’s brother, Robert Trump, dies aged 71
US President Donald Trump’s younger brother, Robert Trump, has died aged 71. His political colleagues and rivals reached out to him to offer their condolences and support.
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Political colleagues and rivals offered their sympathies to President Donald Trump following the death of his youngest brother and “best friend” Robert.
“It is with (a) heavy heart I share that my wonderful brother, Robert, peacefully passed away tonight,” Mr Trump said in a 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.”
Mr Trump’s election opponent Joe Biden extended sympathies from him and his wife.
“I hope you know that our prayers are with you all.”
Mr. President, Jill and I are sad to learn of your younger brother Robert’s passing. I know the tremendous pain of losing a loved one — and I know how important family is in moments like these. I hope you know that our prayers are with you all.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) August 16, 2020
Mr Biden’s running mate, Kamala Harris, also offered her condolences.
Doug and I join the Biden family in sending our deepest condolences and prayers to the entire Trump family during this difficult time. Losing a loved one is never easy but know that we are thinking of you. https://t.co/j9cVKi8b5A
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) August 16, 2020
And Mr Trump’s Vice President, Mike Pence, also extended sympathies from his family.
Karen and I were saddened to learn of the passing of Robert Trump and we send our heartfelt sympathies to President @realDonaldTrump and the entire Trump Family. We pray their family and friends will be comforted during this difficult time. God bless the memory of Robert Trump.
— Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) August 16, 2020
A cause of death has not yet been officially revealed, but The Sun reported that Robert, who took blood thinners, had been suffering from brain bleeds since a recent fall.
He was reportedly “very ill” when he was admitted into the hospital.
He had not been able to speak on the phone for the last few weeks, reports say.
Robert Trump, 71, was a senior executive at the Trump Organization.
He was visited by the president when he returned to hospital Friday, local time, at New York-Presbyterian in Manhattan, after a week-long stint in intensive care in June.
Uncle Robert, we love you. You are in our hearts and prayers, always.
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) August 16, 2020
The younger Mr Trump eschewed the spotlight enjoyed by his brother, but remained close to the reality-show-star turned president.
Donald Trump had paid tribute to Robert at the White House a day earlier, saying: “I have a wonderful brother. We’ve had a great relationship for a long time, from Day 1, a long time ago.”
Mr Trump’s children also paid tribute to their uncle.
“Robert Trump was an incredible man – strong, kind and loyal to the core,” said Eric Trump.
“He will be deeply missed by our entire family.”
Ivanka Trump said: “Uncle Robert, we love you. You are in our hearts and prayers, always.”
While he was publicly a low-key member of the Trump real estate empire, Robert Trump held senior positions in the family real estate and hotel business and had steered its operations in Atlantic City.
He last made headlines in June, when he filed an unsuccessful lawsuit on behalf of the family to try to stop a damning tell-all by Mr Trump’s niece Mary.
He had argued that if his niece Mary’s book was published it would violate a confidentiality agreement she had signed almost 20 years ago to settle her claim against the estate of her grandfather, Fred.
Robert Trump was one of the president’s four siblings and his elder brother Fred Trump, Mary’s father, died in 1981.
The remaining Trump siblings are retired federal judge Maryanne Trump Barry and Elizabeth Trump Grau.
President Trump once described his brother Robert as: “much quieter and easygoing than I am”.
Mr Trump previously said his brother was “the only guy in my life whom I ever call ‘honey.’”
Trump biographer Glenda Blair told the Associated Press: “When he worked in the Trump Organization, he was known as the nice Trump”.
“Robert was the one people would try to get to intervene if there was a problem.”