World
Russian Businessman Funded Post-Wedding Celebrations for Donald Trump Jr.
Umar Kremlev, a Russian businessman and head of the International Boxing Association (IBA), reportedly funded celebrations following Donald Trump Jr.'s wedding in the Bahamas. ProPublica initially reported this disclosure on September 14, based on financial records and interviews with individuals familiar with the event. The report indicated that Kremlev spent hundreds of thousands of dollars, which included renting one of two private islands for guests and organizing a fireworks display.
Bettina Trump, Donald Trump Jr.'s wife, confirmed Kremlev's involvement in an Instagram statement reported by the Associated Press. She described Kremlev as a “dear friend” who “very generously hosted two incredible nights of celebrations” after their wedding, calling it an “extraordinarily generous wedding gift.” She clarified that the weekend was initially planned as a gathering with friends, and they decided to marry before it, arriving as newlyweds to an already scheduled event.
Kremlev, 43, became president of the IBA in 2020, having previously led the Russian Boxing Federation since 2017. He adopted the surname Kremlev in 2010. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) stripped the IBA of its oversight for Olympic boxing in 2023, citing issues with governance, finances, and refereeing. The IBA's website states that Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded Kremlev the Order of Friendship in late April 2026 for his contributions to international sport. The IBA is financed by Gazprom, a Russian state-owned energy company.
The relationship between Kremlev and Donald Trump Jr. was not widely known before these reports. Trump Jr.'s spokesperson stated they met a couple of years ago through a mutual friend in the hunting world and bonded over boxing and outdoor activities. Kremlev's office provided a similar timeline. Donald Trump Jr. also appeared onstage with Kremlev at an IBA event in Istanbul in September 2025.
ProPublica reported that the payments for the celebrations were made through IB Challenger, a Dubai-based entity used by the IBA for financial transactions. The actual wedding ceremony was attended by eighteen people, while approximately 50 attended the subsequent celebrations funded by Kremlev. President Trump did not attend these events.
While the payments are not disputed, their implications are. Bettina Trump maintained it was a gift from a friend, and Trump Jr.'s spokesperson stated it was unfortunate that a personal matter was being politicized. Kremlev's office confirmed a friendly relationship. ProPublica's reporting did not establish that the money was exchanged for political influence, and the couple maintains it was a gift between friends. Former US counterintelligence officials, however, questioned the large expenditure by Kremlev on the son of a US president.