Trump defends son Don Jr. after wedding financed by Putin-linked Russian businessman: ‘He paid them back’ | Today’s news
US President Donald Trump on Friday (Sept. 18) defended his son Donald Trump Jr. over wedding celebrations that were partially funded by Russian businessman Umar Kremlev, saying such arrangements were permissible and his son was or is repaying him.
Trump’s comments came after a ProPublica investigation reported that the Kremlin, described by the outlet as a Russian oligarch with close ties to President Vladimir Putin, paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for celebrations surrounding Trump Jr.’s May wedding to Bettina Anderson in the Bahamas.
Trump says Don Jr. paid off the Kremlin
Asked about financing White House weddings, Trump said: “It’s totally allowed.” He added that his son, as he understood it, retaliated against Kremlin.
Trump also said he had previously asked Don Jr. about the matter. and he remembered his son telling him, “No, I’m paying it back, Dad.” Reuters reported that a person familiar with the situation confirmed that Don Jr. planned to pay off Kremlin.
Trump said he had hosted wedding receptions for other people and likened the Kremlin’s participation to such celebrations.
According to his words, the American president asked Don Jr. about the matter and was told that his son would repay the Russian businessman. Trump said the conversation took place “a while ago.”
Trump said he did not know Kremlin personally and dismissed the controversy as “no big deal.”
What did the Russian businessman pay for?
According to ProPublica, the Kremlin covered hundreds of thousands of dollars in expenses associated with the three-day Bahamian celebrations.
Reported expenses included the rental of one of two private islands used by wedding guests and fireworks. The payments were allegedly made through an entity affiliated with the International Boxing Association (IBA), which Kremlin heads.
Trump Jr. and Bettina Trump subsequently acknowledged Kremlev’s role, describing him as a friend who “very generously threw two incredible nights of celebration” after their wedding. They characterized the contribution as an extremely generous wedding gift.
The couple stressed that Kremlev’s post was about the post-wedding celebrations rather than the private wedding ceremony itself.
Who is Umar Kremlev?
Kremlev is a Russian businessman and president of the International Boxing Association. ProPublica reported that the IBA is funded by Russia’s state energy company Gazprom and that the Kremlin maintains ties with Russian officials.
According to the IBA, Putin recently awarded him the Russian Order of Friendship and is also said to have accompanied Putin during his trip to China.
Kremlin’s reported attendance at the Trump family’s wedding has come under scrutiny because of his connections to Russia and the financial extent of his contribution.
