Russian businessman Umar Kremlev, who is reportedly close to President Vladimir Putin, funded the after-party for US President Donald Trump Jr’s wedding in the Bahamas, the Financial Times reported.
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Trump Jr and his wife Bettina Anderson confirmed Kremlev’s role in an Instagram post, thanking their “dear friend Umar” for hosting “two incredible nights of celebrations”.
The couple called it “an extraordinarily generous wedding gift from a friend” and said they were “incredibly grateful”.
Kremlev, who heads the International Boxing Association, has reportedly close ties to Putin. He has presented Putin with a diamond boxing glove and later received the Order of Merit to the Fatherland from the Russian president, according to the Financial Times.
ProPublica, which first reported Kremlev’s involvement, said he spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on the wedding weekend. Kremlev has also been a member of the Russian nationalist biker group Night Wolves.
The revelation has raised questions in Washington. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, said: “Umar Kremlev spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on the president’s son. What did he get in return? We need answers.”
Trump Jr and Anderson rejected any political connection, saying: “Friendship doesn’t require a political motive. Generosity doesn’t automatically come with an agenda.” They added “NO CONSPIRACY, NO MYSTERY.”
