Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Rachel Dobkin

President Trump defends Putin-tied Russian oligarch paying for son’s wedding

  • President Donald Trump stated that his son, Donald Trump Jr ., is paying back Russian oligarch Umar Kremlev after Kremlev funded hundreds of thousands of dollars in wedding festivities in the Bahamas.
  • Umar Kremlev, the head of the International Boxing Association with ties to Vladimir Putin, reportedly covered costs including a private island rental and a $70,000 fireworks display, according to a ProPublica report published Monday.
  • Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia raised national security and corruption concerns, asking White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles for details on any ties between Trump Jr. and Kremlev.
  • Trump Jr. and his wife, Bettina Anderson, defended Kremlev as a personal friend met through the hunting community, describing the event as a generous gift without political motives.
  • “Was it appropriate for your son to accept a gift — a payment for some of his wedding festivities?” one reporter asked Trump in the Oval Office Friday. “It's totally allowed and a lot of people have parties,” Trump replied. “But as I understand it, he paid him back. A person that he knows, I guess a friend of his, gave him a wedding party — that’s very common. I’ve heard of many people giving wedding parties,” the president continued. “I’ve given wedding parties to numerous people.”

IN FULL

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.