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Trump: Trump Jr. Reimbursed Russian Oligarch for Wedding Expenses
Confirmed
In Short: President Donald Trump said his son Donald Trump Jr. has reimbursed a Russian oligarch who funded part of his wedding celebrations.
President Donald Trump said Friday that his son Donald Trump Jr. has reimbursed Russian businessman Umar Kremlev, who funded part of the younger Trump's wedding celebrations in the Bahamas in May.
Trump Jr.'s wife, Bettina Anderson, had previously thanked Kremlev on Instagram for hosting two nights of festivities after their private wedding, describing it as an extraordinary gift from a friend.
Kremlev, who has close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, received the Order of Friendship, a top state honor, earlier this year. He also runs the International Boxing Association (IBA), which is funded by the state-backed Gazprom energy company.
ProPublica reported that Kremlev paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for the wedding parties. Trump Jr. and his wife confirmed the payment in a statement, saying it was a gift from a friend.
When asked about Kremlev's involvement, Trump said it is 'totally allowed' and 'very common' to give wedding parties for others. He added that his son had told him he would reimburse Kremlev.
Kremlev's relationship with the Russian government has been highlighted by his role in the IBA, which was suspended by the Olympic Committee due to its failure to report ties to Gazprom.
The Russian businessman's involvement in the wedding celebrations comes amid ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, with Russian forces responsible for the majority of sexual violence in Ukraine since the start of the full-scale war.
Despite growing warnings, NATO has not indicated that a Russian military attack on an alliance member is imminent.
Kremlev traveled to China as part of a Russian business delegation during Putin's visit shortly before the wedding celebrations, further highlighting his connections to Russian state interests.
Background
A statement from Donald Trump Jr. and his wife Bettina revealed that a Russian oligarch with close ties to Putin funded part of their wedding festivities in the Bahamas.
Russian businessman Umar Kremlev covered over $100,000 in expenses for Donald Trump Jr.’s wedding celebration, according to ProPublica.
What's confirmed
- President Donald Trump said Friday that his son Donald Trump Jr. has paid back a Russian oligarch with close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin who the Trumps have confirmed hosted two nights of parties after Trump Jr.'s wedding.
- Trump Jr.'s wife Bettina Anderson said in an Instagram post that Kremlev \"very generously hosted two incredible nights of celebrations for us AFTER our wedding. It was an extraordinary gift from a friend and something for which were and remain incredibly grateful.\" Kremlev's press office told ProPublica that “Mr. Kremlev and Mr. Trump Jr have a friendly relationship” and they first met \"a couple of years ago.\" ABC News has reached out to Kremlev for comment.
What's still developing
- A person that he knows pretty, I guess a friend of his, gave him a wedding party.
- President Trump's ties to Russia have raised questions since his 2016 campaign, and led to a special counsel investigation into a meeting attended by Trump Jr with a Russian operative at Trump Tower.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin presented Kremlev with the “Order of Friendship” award in April 2026, according to an IBA press release, which featured a photo of Putin and Kremlev shaking hands.
- ProPublica posted a group photo from the wedding that it said showed the top of Kremlev’s head.
- According to Russian investigative media outlet Proekt, Kremlev is a Tajik native who worked as a mid-level boxing promoter and cultivated links with the Federal Protective Service (FSO), whose role is to protect high-level officials in Russia.
- That’s very common, I’ve heard of many people giving wedding parties.
- He did not attend the wedding, saying he was too busy with talks on the Iran war.