Donald Trump Jr.'s Russian-funded wedding

Bettina Trump, who married Donald Trump Jr. in a small private ceremony in May, confirmed that a much larger three-day celebration afterward in the Bahamas was largely funded by Umar Kremlev, a Russian sports official with close ties to Vladimir Putin who heads the International Boxing Association. In an Instagram post, she described Kremlev as a 'dear friend' who generously hosted 'two incredible nights of celebrations' after -- not as part of -- the wedding itself, and pushed back on the idea that the gesture carried any political dimension, calling it simply a wedding gift. The account followed reporting from the nonprofit newsroom ProPublica that Kremlev covered hundreds of thousands of dollars in expenses, including renting a private island and arranging fireworks.

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As it ran

19 September 2026

• Trump says his son paid back Russian billionaire who funded parts of wedding celebration CNN

18 September 2026

• Trump says son told him he’ll repay Russian oligarch for wedding parties South China Morning Post

15 September 2026

• Donald Trump Jr.'s wedding celebration was partially funded by Russian oligarch, the couple confirms AP

14 September 2026

• Trump Jnr’s wife says Russian oligarch paid for parties but not the actual wedding South China Morning Post