Donald Trump 'upset' he failed to save son Don Jr's marriage

Donald Trump Jr., and his wife Vanessa Trump. Photo / Getty Images

US President Donald Trump is reportedly "personally upset" that he "failed as a marriage counsellor" to his son Don Jr and wife Vanessa Trump, sources close to the family say.

The New York Daily News reports that Trump "tried to intervene with Vanessa" but to no avail.

He is said to have been aware the couple were having issues when they last stepped out together, at Don Jr's 40th birthday on New Year's Eve, reports News.com.au.

Donald Trump Jr. jokingly plays with scissors as his wife Vanessa laughs at the grand opening of the Trump International Hotel and Tower in Vancouver, Canada. Photo / AP

Trump reportedly asked them to try and stay together "a bit longer".

Sources told the New York Post that Vanessa Trump had an issue with Don Jr's tweeting, including when he liked a tweet linking antidepressants to mass murder, and another liking a tweet attacking a teen survivor of the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting.

The Daily Beast also reported that following the school shooting, Don Jr urged his dad to stay strong on gun rights and hold firm against any assault weapons ban.

Previously at Halloween, Don Jr tweeted that he would take away half of his 3-year-old daughter's Halloween candy because he wrote, "it's never to [sic] early to teach her about socialism."

Donald Trump Jr., with his wife Vanessa and children. Photo / AP

Then after his recent trip to India, he was heavily criticised for his tone-deaf remark praising the country's poor because "there's still a smile on a face".

Vanessa Trump was also reportedly lonely and resentful that she was largely raising the couple's five children by herself.

Donald Trump Jr. and then girlfriend Vanessa Haydon. Photo / Getty Images

Vanessa Trump was hospitalised in February after opening a suspicious letter addressed to her husband that contained white powder.

The powder was cornstarch and a 25-year-old Massachusetts man was later charged with "making hoax threats and mailing threatening communications" to the Trumps and four other victims.

Model Vanessa Haydon used to date Leonardo DiCaprio. Photo / News Corp Australia

Vanessa Trump filed divorce papers on Thursday after 12 years of marriage.

The pair were introduced multiple times by Don Jr's dad, leading Vanessa Trump to call Don Jr "the one with the retarded dad".

Before marrying Don Jr, Vanessa Haydon had been linked to Leonardo DiCaprio, was a model/actress and had a small role in the film Something's Gotta Give.

She has five children with Don Jr: Kai, Donald Trump III, Tristan, Spencer, and Chloe.

View this post on Instagram

With so much to be thankful for this past year Vanessa, Kai, Donnie, Tristan, Spencer, Chloe and I wanted to wish all Americans a wonderful Thanksgiving. May you enjoy it with friends and loved ones and to those serving abroad who are not able to be with family, we thank you for your service protecting our freedoms and our families. Reflecting back over the election cycle, I would also like to personally thank all those I have had the privilege of meeting over the past 18 months as part of my father's campaign. Your support, your stories, and your prayers along the way made the incredibly arduous journey worthwhile and enjoyable. My father won't let you down. #Thanksgiving #familytime #family #trump #ProudAmerican #thanks

A post shared by Donald Trump Jr. (@donaldjtrumpjr) on Nov 24, 2016 at 4:50pm PST

The pair released a statement this week confirming media speculation that they had split.

"After 12 years of marriage, we have decided to go our separate ways," they said. "We will always have tremendous respect for each other and our families. We have five beautiful children together and they remain our top priority. We ask for your privacy during this time."

This will be the first time a child of the president has entered into divorce proceedings while their father held office.