Donald Trump Jr and Bettina Trump: Putin Ally Funded Wedding Festivities
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Donald Trump Jr.’s wife, Bettina Trump, confirmed that their May wedding was partially funded by an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
A post on her Instagram account, attributed to the couple, stated that two nights of their three-day wedding festivities on a private island in the Bahamas were funded by Umar Kremlev, a Russian oligarch with close ties to Putin.
The statement was released Monday following a story by investigative journalism outlet ProPublica revealing that Kremlev paid "hundreds of thousands of dollars" for the celebration.
Donald Trump Jr., a private citizen, faces no legal issues for accepting gifts from a foreign national.
"Our dear friend Umar very generously hosted two incredible nights of celebrations for us AFTER our wedding," the couple said in the statement. "It was an extraordinarily generous wedding gift from a friend, and something for which we were and remain incredibly grateful."
Ethics watchdogs, however, argue this still creates the appearance of a conflict of interest.
"People don’t just give hundreds of thousands of dollars to a random acquaintance without wanting something," said Jordan Libowitz, vice president of communications for Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW).
According to ProPublica, the couple married on a private island in the Bahamas, followed by a two-day celebration on another island renting for approximately $100,000 per night. Kremlev also covered other costs, including a $70,000 fireworks display.
Kremlev leads the International Boxing Association (IBA), an organization funded by state-backed Gazprom energy company. The Olympic Committee suspended the IBA for failing to report its ties to Gazprom.
Earlier this year, Kremlev was part of a delegation that visited China with Putin. He also received the Order of Friendship, a top state honor, from the Russian president.
A spokesperson for Trump Jr. told ProPublica the men are personal friends without a "business relationship."
Kremlev’s office confirmed in a statement to ProPublica that he and Trump Jr. have a "friendly relationship."
Other notable attendees at the wedding included Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, who has been involved in US diplomatic negotiations with Iran, Russia, and the Middle East.
The Trump campaign and family faced scrutiny during the 2016 presidential election over potential ties to Russia.
