Robert Trump, 71, the younger brother of President Donald Trump, died Saturday at a New York hospital, Donald Trump announced in a statement.
“It is with heavy heart I share that my wonderful brother, Robert, peacefully passed away tonight. 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,” the President said.
Donald Trump is expected to attend his brother’s funeral. However no details were immediately available on plans. Additionally, a source familiar said the President personally dictated the White House statement on his brother.
“Uncle Robert, we love you. You are in our hearts and prayers, always,” Ivanka Trump posted on Twitter Saturday night.
The President called his brother’s hospital room late on Saturday as it seemed his death was near, two people familiar with the matter told CNN. It’s not clear whether they connected or whether Robert Trump’s condition allowed him to speak by phone with the President.
Separately, several people who spoke to Trump Saturday said he appeared saddened by the impending loss of his brother.
Donald Trump made a last minute decision to go to New York Friday to visit his brother as he headed to New Jersey for the weekend.
Robert Trump had been admitted to New York-Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan.
Details of Robert Trump’s illness have not been released. He had been sick for several months, a person familiar with knowledge of the matter told CNN.
By Kaitlan Collins, Maegan Vazquez, Kristen Holmes and Kevin Liptak, CNN
