Russian oligarch Umar Kremlev said Tuesday that Donald Trump Jr. had reimbursed him for funding a portion of his recent Bahamas wedding celebration, though Kremlev questioned why the repayment was made.
“Yes, he did,” Kremlev said during an International Boxing Association press conference in Istanbul. “He did repay the money I spent on the present.”
Neither Kremlev nor the Trump family provided proof that any money was actually repaid.
Kremlev, who heads the boxing association and was recently awarded the Order of Friendship by Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressed confusion over the transaction.
“Frankly speaking, I do not understand why he decided to do so,” he said through an interpreter. “There are all kinds of events organized by all kinds of people. It is as if I invite you to come and visit my country house. Would you expect me to issue an invoice to them afterward?”
He added that doing so would be “ridiculous.”
Kremlev helped bankroll Trump Jr.’s three-day luxury wedding in the Bahamas when the president’s eldest son married socialite Bettina Anderson in May.
According to records reviewed by ProPublica, Kremlev footed the bill for hundreds of thousands of dollars in expenses, including renting one of two private islands where a reception was held and guests stayed, as well as an elaborate fireworks display. The money reportedly came from an entity tied to the International Boxing Association in Dubai, which is used by the organization to conduct financial transactions.
Following the initial report, President Donald Trump defended his son, telling reporters that while the financial support was “totally allowed,” the funds would be returned.
“It’s totally allowed,” Trump said. “But, as I understand it, he paid them back.”
He added: “That’s very common. I’ve given wedding parties to numerous people.”
Bettina Trump previously addressed the reporting 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 hosted two incredible nights of celebrations for us AFTER our wedding.”
Last month, the White House directed The Independent to her post, where she had written: “Apparently our wedding is making headlines again, so a little clarity seems in order. ... It 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 stating that “people blew it out of proportion.”
“I mean, why can’t we be friends?” Kremlev said. “We are just friends. We are simply friends and what unites us is love for sports.”
Born Umar Lutfuloyev, Kremlev served criminal convictions for extortion and battery in his 20s before changing his name and rising through Russian sports administration with backing from top security officials.
Since taking control of the International Boxing Association in 2020, he moved key operations to Russia, relied on Russian state-energy giant Gazprom for funding, and oversaw the International Olympic Committee stripping the boxing organization of its official recognition in 2023 over governance concerns.
Kremlev and Trump Jr. have maintained a public connection, hosting a sports event together in September 2025 where Trump Jr. called him “not only a leader but a friend.” Kremlev’s press office told ProPublica the two share a friendly relationship but have never discussed political matters.
The focus comes amid Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine following its 2022 invasion, and follows previous attention on Trump Jr.’s contacts with Russian figures.
During the 2016 presidential campaign, Trump Jr. drew criticism for a meeting with a Russian attorney at Trump Tower regarding potential campaign information about his father’s opponent, which became a key point in subsequent inquiries into Russian election interference.
Read MoreCNN now has a new owner. What will the future of the network be under Skydance?
Trump hosts election denier Tina Peters for strategy summit at White House: insider
Ukraine-Russia war latest: Zelensky warns Putin preparing fresh ‘massive strike’
Bulgaria's leader says drone attack hits 2 commercial vessels, and Ukraine's president blames Russia
Trump reveals the make of his suit – and it isn’t what people were expecting
