Robert Trump, the younger brother of US President Donald Trump, has passed away.

According to White House, Donald Trump said in a statement, “He was not just my brother, he was my best friend”.

Mr. Trump had earlier visited his brother in the hospital in New York on Friday. He had told reporters, “He’s having a hard time.”

Media reports say that he was seriously ill.

“It is with [a] heavy heart I share that my wonderful brother, Robert, peacefully passed away tonight,” the president said. “His memory will live on in my heart forever.”

President Trump’s son Eric also paid tribute.

“Robert Trump was an incredible man – strong, kind, and loyal to the core,” he wrote on Twitter. “He will be deeply missed by our entire family.”

Robert was the youngest among his siblings. He was two years younger than Donald.