President Donald Trump made an unusual admission during a White House Christmas reception on Sunday, Dec. 14, suggesting that his eldest son would prioritize hunting over attending his father’s memorial service. The 79-year-old president’s candid remarks about Donald Trump Jr. drew mixed reactions from supporters and critics alike, sparking conversations about family dynamics and loyalty within the Trump circle.

During what should have been a festive holiday gathering, Trump veered into unexpected territory while discussing the memoir “Venom and Valor” by James J. Jones. The president used the book’s subject matter as a springboard to address his son’s well-known passion for big-game hunting, a hobby that has repeatedly generated controversy over the years.

“I’m saying this for my son by the way because I have a son who would rather be in the jungle than any place on earth,” Trump told attendees. “When I kick the bucket someday, I figure—I think he’ll be here for about two days. He’ll go and pay his respects and we’ll say, ‘Where’s Don?’ He’d rather be in some jungle.”

The president punctuated his remarks with a warning about wildlife encounters, stating that “wildlife always wins,” before adding that he found the situation “unfortunate.” The 47-year-old Don Jr. has built a reputation as an avid hunter, frequently posting about his expeditions on social media and defending his controversial pastime against animal rights activists.

Don Jr.’s hunting activities have long been a source of public scrutiny. In 2012, photos emerged from hunts conducted in 2010 showing the president’s son posing with various animal trophies, including images of him holding a sawn-off elephant tail and with a dead leopard alongside his brother Eric. The photos sparked immediate outrage from animal welfare organizations and prompted widespread criticism on social media.

At the time, Don Jr. remained defiant in the face of backlash, standing by his choice to hunt exotic animals despite the controversy surrounding endangered species protection.

According to Trump biographer Michael Wolff, the president’s appreciation for his son’s hunting interests once extended to business negotiations. Wolff reported that Trump had someone in his inner circle reach out about developing a hunting and fishing show for Don Jr. on the Discovery Channel. The proposal drew comparisons to a documentary deal reportedly involving First Lady Melania Trump, though it remains unclear whether the hunting show concept ever progressed beyond initial discussions.

The contrast in Trump’s public treatment of his children has not gone unnoticed. Earlier this month, the president lavished praise on his youngest son, 19-year-old Barron, during a congressional gala, describing him as the first lady’s “boy” with evident pride. This disparity in paternal commentary has fueled ongoing speculation about the dynamics within the Trump family.

Social media erupted with reactions to Trump’s memorial comments, generating a wave of memes and critical commentary. Even some of Trump’s traditional supporters expressed disbelief that the president would make such a personal admission in a public forum, particularly during a holiday celebration meant to foster goodwill and unity.

The incident highlights the unique nature of Trump’s presidency, where personal family matters frequently intersect with public political life. Family relationships have become a recurring theme in Trump’s speeches and social media posts, often revealing tensions or preferences that most political figures would keep private. Presidential families typically maintain carefully managed public images, but the Trump family has operated differently, with personal conflicts and preferences regularly spilling into public view.

Critics seized on the comments as evidence of dysfunction within the first family, while others interpreted them as merely the president’s characteristic bluntness. The remarks also reignited debates about trophy hunting and conservation, with animal rights advocates using the moment to draw attention to Don Jr.’s past hunting expeditions and their impact on endangered species populations.

The timing of Trump’s comments, delivered during what should have been a festive Christmas reception, added another layer of peculiarity to the moment. Holiday gatherings at the White House traditionally focus on celebration and unity, making the president’s morbid speculation about his own death and his son’s response to it all the more striking to attendees and observers.