Putin-linked boxing executive Umar Kremlev helped pay for Donald Trump Jr.’s wedding in the Bahamas, ProPublica reports
International Boxing Association (IBA) head Umar Kremlev paid part of the cost of Donald Trump Jr.’s May wedding, held on a private island in the Bahamas, according to an investigation released by ProPublica earlier today citing records reviewed by the newsroom and interviews with three people familiar with the event. According to the outlet, Kremlev paid about $100,000 to rent one of the private…
An investigation by ProPublica has revealed that Umar Kremlev, a boxing executive linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin, contributed to the funding of Donald Trump Jr.'s wedding in the Bahamas. According to records reviewed by the newsroom and interviews with three sources familiar with the event, Kremlev paid around $100,000 for the use of a private island for the reception and the overnight stay of wedding guests.
He also covered a fireworks display worth about $70,000. The boxing association Kremlev leads, IBA Challenger, organized the event through a Dubai-based company connected to the IBA. The wedding took place on a private island, attended by around 50 guests, including Trump Jr.'s brother-in-law Jared Kushner, his brother Eric Trump, and Kremlev himself.
Among the attendees were Russian-speaking guests who appeared to keep to themselves and speak Russian, which seemed out of place among the American attendees. The Russian guests barely appeared in photos and videos from the wedding. Trump Jr.'s spokesperson confirmed that Kremlev had paid for the wedding expenses, describing them as "personal friends" who met through a mutual friend in the hunting world and bonded over their shared interests in boxing and the outdoors.
Kremlev's press office also stated that the two men had a "friendly relationship" and that the businessman had never discussed political matters with his American acquaintances. Former FBI officials interviewed by ProPublica expressed concern over the situation, stating that if someone is paying for a wedding, they should not expect any favors in return, especially not for the son of the president.
Kremlev has close ties to Putin, receiving a state honor from him in April, and was reportedly seen accompanying Putin on a trip to China shortly before the wedding. Ukraine has imposed sanctions on Kremlev due to his associations with Putin and Russian security agencies.
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