Trump says his son’s wedding party being bankrolled by a Russian oligarch is ‘totally allowed’

President Donald Trump defended his son's recent wedding party being partially funded by a Russian oligarch, but claimed the payments would be repaid. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump stated, "It's totally allowed. And a lot of people have parties and all," adding, "But, as I understand it, he paid them back." He also said, "I hear he paid them back" without further details.

ProPublica first reported that Russian businessman Umar Kremlev, who has ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, helped pay for a private island and fireworks at the May wedding of Donald Trump Jr. and Bettina Anderson in the Bahamas. In a post on her Instagram page, Bettina Trump described Kremlev as a "dear friend" who hosted two "incredible nights of celebrations" after the wedding.

The president, who did not attend, defended Kremlev's involvement as part of the festivities. Trump noted, "a person that he knows — I guess a friend of his — gave him a wedding party," adding, "That's very common" and "I've given wedding parties to numerous people." He also said he had inquired about Kremlev's participation, to which his son reportedly replied, "No, I'm paying him back, Dad."

The wedding was reportedly heavily funded by Kremlev, covering hundreds of thousands of dollars in expenses, including renting one of two private islands. Kremlev was recently awarded the Order of Friendship by Putin and accompanied him to China as part of a Russian delegation.