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Russian oligarch Umar Kremlev said Tuesday that Donald Trump Jr. reimbursed him for part of the financing for his recent wedding in the Bahamas, although Kremlev questioned why the reimbursement was made.
“Yes, he did it,” Kremlev said at an International Boxing Association news conference in Istanbul. “He refunded the money I spent on the gift.”
Neither Kremlev nor the Trump family has provided proof that the money was actually returned.
Kremlev, who heads the boxing association and recently received the Order of Friendship from Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressed confusion over the transaction.
“Frankly, I don’t understand why he decided to do it,” he said through an interpreter. “There are all sorts of events organized by all sorts of people. It’s like inviting you to come visit my country house. Would you like me to invoice them afterwards?”
He added that this would be “ridiculous”.
Kremlev helped finance Trump Jr.’s luxury three-day wedding in the Bahamas when the president’s eldest son married socialite Bettina Anderson in May.
According to the files examined by ProPublicaKremlev footed the bill for hundreds of thousands of dollars in expenses, including the rental of one of two private islands where a reception was held and guests stayed, as well as an elaborate fireworks display. The money is believed to come from an entity linked to the Dubai International Boxing Association, which is used by the organization to carry out financial transactions.
Following the initial report, President Donald Trump defended his son, telling reporters that even if the financial support was “totally authorized,” the funds would be returned.
“It’s totally allowed,” Trump said. “But if I understand correctly, he paid them back.”
He added: “It’s very common. I’ve organized weddings for many people.”
Bettina Trump previously addressed the news in an Instagram post signed by the couple, writing that they were married “surrounded ONLY by our family.”
She described Kremlev as a “dear friend” who “very generously organized two incredible nights of celebrations for us AFTER our wedding.”
Last month, the White House ordered The Independent to her post, where she wrote: “Apparently our marriage is in the news again, so some clarity seems in order. … This was an extraordinarily generous wedding gift from a friend, and something for which we were and remain incredibly grateful.”
Kremlev dismissed the scrutiny surrounding the event, describing the gathering as “a shared event” and saying “people exaggerated it.”
“I mean, why can’t we be friends?” » said Kremlev. “We’re just friends. We’re just friends and what unites us is the love of sport.”
Born Umar Lutfuloyev, Kremlev served a criminal conviction for extortion and battery in his 20s before changing his name and rising through the ranks of Russian sports administration with the support of top security officials.
Since taking control of the International Boxing Association in 2020, he has moved key operations to Russia, relied on Russian energy giant Gazprom for financing and overseen the International Olympic Committee stripping the boxing organization of official recognition in 2023 due to governance concerns.
Kremlev and Trump Jr. have maintained a public connection, hosting a sporting event together in September 2025 during which Trump Jr. called him “not only a leader but a friend.” Kremlev’s press office said ProPublica the two share a friendly relationship but have never discussed political issues.
The attention comes amid Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine following its 2022 invasion, and follows previous attention to Trump Jr.’s contacts with Russian figures.
During the 2016 presidential campaign, Trump Jr. was criticized for a meeting with a Russian lawyer at Trump Tower regarding potential campaign information about his father’s opponent, which became a key point in subsequent investigations into Russian election interference.
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