Donald Trump Jr and Bettina Trump say Putin ally paid for some wedding festivities as a ‘gift’

Bettina Trump, wife of Donald Trump Jr., announced that part of their May wedding expenses were funded by a Russian ally of President Vladimir Putin. Her Instagram post disclosed that Umar Kremlev, a Russian oligarch with close ties to Putin, covered two nights of the three-day Bahamian celebration. The statement came after ProPublica published an investigative report detailing Kremlev's $400,000 contribution.

While it is not illegal for Trump Jr., a private citizen, to receive foreign gifts, ethics watchdog groups argue it creates a conflict of interest. Jordan Libowitz, a CREW spokesman, noted that with Trump Jr.'s wealth, he or his father could have paid for the entire wedding to circumvent the ethical issue. Kremlev, who runs the International Boxing Association funded by Gazprom, the state-owned energy company, also paid for a $70,000 fireworks display.

The Russian president honored Kremlev with the Order of Friendship, a top state award, earlier this year. Kremlev, who attended part of the wedding, maintains a friendly relationship with Trump Jr., and both were accompanied by Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner at the event.