A Russian businessman with links to President Vladimir Putin reportedly paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for Donald Trump Jr.’s post-wedding celebrations in the Bahamas earlier this year.
Umar Kremlev, president of the International Boxing Association (IBA), reportedly covered the cost of a private island rental and a fireworks display for two nights of celebrations held after Trump Jr. married Bettina Anderson.
Trump Jr. and Anderson have confirmed that Kremlev hosted the celebrations, but said he did not pay for their wedding ceremony. The couple described the arrangements as a generous gift from a friend.
“Our dear friend Umar very generously hosted two incredible nights of celebrations for us AFTER our wedding,” they said in a statement posted on Instagram.
The reported gift has drawn attention because of Kremlev’s connections to the Russian establishment and his relationship with Trump Jr. There is no evidence in the reports that Kremlev sought a favour from Trump Jr. in exchange for the gift.
Who is Umar Kremlev?
Umar Kremlev is a Russian businessman who serves as the president of the International Boxing Association, or IBA. The organisation has been involved in a long-running dispute with the International Olympic Committee and has faced scrutiny over its governance and financial links to Russia.
The IBA has received backing from Gazprom, Russia’s state-owned energy company. Kremlev also has a direct connection to Putin. The Russian president awarded him the Order of Friendship, a state honour, in April.
Kremlev and Putin were also seen together in China days before Trump Jr.’s wedding in May.
What is Umar Kremlev’s connection with Donald Trump Jr.?
Reportedly, Kremlev’s office has described his relationship with Trump Jr. as a friendship. It said that the two men first met “a couple of years ago” and became friends through shared interests in boxing and hunting.
The office also said Kremlev had never discussed political matters with Trump Jr. or other American friends and acquaintances.
A spokesperson for Trump Jr. similarly said the two are not business partners and met through a mutual friend.
Did Donald Trump know about the wedding gift?
US President Donald Trump said he did not know Kremlev and was unaware that he had helped pay for the Bahamas celebrations.
“I have no idea who Umar is, never heard of him,” Trump said.
He also rejected the suggestion that Kremlev had paid for his son’s wedding, pointing out that the ceremony took place separately. Trump described the Bahamas gathering as an “afterparty” held in his son’s honour and said, “Not a big deal!”
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Trump did not attend the wedding or the Bahamas after-party.
Had Umar Kremlev asked the Trump administration for help?
Kremlev had previously approached the Trump administration over the IBA’s dispute with the International Olympic Committee.
In an open letter to Trump shortly after his second inauguration, Kremlev asked the administration to support the IBA in its dispute with the IOC. The earlier request has added another point of interest to the scrutiny surrounding his reported financial support for Trump Jr.’s post-wedding celebrations.