WASHINGTON — First daughter-in-law Bettina Trump claimed Monday that a Russian oligarch close to Vladimir Putin was acting as a “close friend” when he footed the bill for the celebration of her May wedding to Donald Trump Jr.
Umar Kremlev shelled out hundreds of thousands of dollars for several items related to the couple’s May 21 nuptials on a private island in the Bahamas, including paying for an additional private island to host the reception as well as a fireworks show, ProPublica reported.
“Our dear friend Umar very generously hosted two incredible nights of celebrations for us AFTER our wedding. It was an extraordinarily generous wedding gift from a friend, and something for which we were and remain incredibly grateful,” Bettina wrote on Instagram.
Kremlev was one of about 50 guests at the wedding — along with Don Jr’s younger siblings Eric, Ivanka and Tiffany. President Trump did not attend, nor did first lady Melania Trump or the couple’s son Barron.
It’s unclear when Kremlev met the couple or why Don Jr. — who Forbes says is worth $300 million — didn’t pay for the party himself.
Days before attending the wedding, Kremlev was in China as part of a delegation accompanying Putin, according to Chinese state media. The 43-year-old is best known as head of the International Boxing Association, a position he has held since 2020.
Bettina Trump claimed the actual wedding ceremony was reserved for family “only” but the planned weekend getaway that followed was given over to celebrating with friends.
“It was never intended to be our wedding weekend. When our original wedding plans changed, we simply decided to get married before it and arrived at an already planned weekend as newlyweds,” she wrote.
“It’s unfortunate that something so personal and happy can be recast as something political or sinister simply because of who someone is or where they come from,” added Bettina, whose initial desire for a White House wedding was scuppered by the war with Iran. “Friendship doesn’t require a political motive. Generosity doesn’t automatically come with an agenda. And sometimes a wedding gift is simply a wedding gift.
“We are fortunate to have wonderful friends from all over the world, and we will never be embarrassed or apologetic about being grateful for them.”
