Robert Trump
Robert TrumpTwitter

US President Donald Trump said his younger brother is having a "tough time" as he visited him in a New York City hospital.

Trump wore a face mask as he entered New York-Presbyterian Hospital on Friday, staying for about 45 minutes, the BBC reported.

According to media reports, Robert Trump, 72, is seriously ill, but it is not clear why he was admitted to the facility.

He used to manage the Trump property empire's real-estate investments.

"I hope he's okay," the president told reporters en route to the hospital.

"He has a tough time. He's having a tough time."

After the hospital visit, the President flew to his golf club in nearby Bedminster, New Jersey, for the weekend.

He also told reporters: "I have a wonderful brother. We've had a great relationship for a long time.

"From day one. Long time. And he's in the hospital right now. Hopefully, he'll be all right, but he's having a hard time."