From ABC News · ABC News · · 3m
A Putin ally paid for Trump Jr.'s wedding party
An oligarch close to Putin footed the bill for a private island celebration, and the attorney general says he sees nothing to look into.
In brief
An oligarch close to Putin footed the bill for a private island celebration, and the attorney general says he sees nothing to look into. The country's top law enforcement officials are declining to examine a six-figure gift to the president's son from a man decorated by Putin, while House Democrats start demanding…
No investigation coming
Attorney General Todd Blanche told reporters in the Rose Garden that he sees no reason to look into the gift. His response to the question was to ask what there would even be to investigate.
“When you say am I investigating, Am I investigating what?”
Who paid the bill
Umar Kremlev, a Russian oligarch, covered a large share of the costs for Donald Trump Jr.'s wedding celebrations in late May, according to records reviewed by ProPublica and three people familiar with the events.
A private island and fireworks
The couple married in Palm Beach, then flew to a private island in the Bahamas. The reported payments covered the island rental and a fireworks display.
The money came through boxing
Payments reportedly came from an entity tied to the International Boxing Association, where Kremlev serves as president. The IOC suspended the IBA in 2019 over financial problems and corruption concerns.
Not independently confirmed
ABC News has not verified the details of the ProPublica reporting on its own. The couple has acknowledged receiving a gift, but not explained why Kremlev gave it.
Blanche pleads ignorance
Asked about Kremlev's reported closeness to Putin, the attorney general said he had no way to assess it and no information about the man at all.
“And when you say this person is a friend of Putin, I don't even know if that's true or not.”
The family closes ranks
Melania Trump's office said she did not attend, never had a relationship with Kremlev, and played no part in planning or financing. A spokesperson said Eric Trump does not know who Kremlev is either.
“Mrs. Trump does not, and has never had, a relationship with Mr. Kremlev.”
The president shrugs
Trump said he had never heard of Kremlev, was not at the celebrations, and stressed that the wedding itself happened at a different place on a different day.
“I have no idea who Umar is, never heard of him.”
The bride pushes back
Bettina Anderson wrote on Instagram that only family attended the ceremony and that Kremlev hosted two celebrations afterward as a gift from a friend.
“So, for anyone determined not to let the facts get in the way of a good story: NO CONSPIRACY, NO MYSTERY.”
Decorated by Putin
Kremlev was recently given the Order of Friendship by Putin, according to the International Boxing Association. The two toured a new Moscow boxing center together in 2022.
Why critics are alarmed
Lawmakers warn that expensive gifts from a foreign adversary can create conflicts of interest and hand leverage over the president's family to people who want something.
Democrats demand records
Rep. Robert Garcia sent letters to Trump Jr. and the White House asking them to preserve every document and message about Kremlev, citing pay-to-play and foreign intelligence concerns.
“Is this why President Trump skipped his son's wedding?”
The FBI hasn't read it
Pressed by Sen. Richard Blumenthal on whether the bureau had opened an inquiry into possible intelligence compromises, Director Kash Patel said he was unfamiliar with the reporting.
“I'm not sure what public reporting you're referring to.”
The key point
The country's top law enforcement officials are declining to examine a six-figure gift to the president's son from a man decorated by Putin, while House Democrats start demanding records.
