Umar Kremlev, a Russian oligarch close to Vladimir Putin, helped pay for two nights of Bahamas wedding celebrations for President 
Donald Trump's eldest son and his wife, Bettina, who have called it a gift. Their statement on Bettina Trump's Instagram followed a ProPublica report that Kremlev spent "hundreds of thousands of dollars" on the festivities after their May wedding. Trump did not attend the wedding or the festivities, saying he had to remain in Washington amid talks on the Iran war.
What did the couple say? "Our dear friend Umar very generously hosted two incredible nights of celebrations for us AFTER our wedding," the statement said, calling it "an extraordinarily generous wedding gift from a friend." The post said the couple married privately, "surrounded ONLY by our family," and that the following weekend "had actually been planned well in advance as a fun weekend with friends," DW reported.
What did ProPublica find? Kremlev covered a private island rental of about $100,000 a night and a fireworks display costing roughly $70,000. Justin Elliott, a ProPublica reporter who spoke to PBS NewsHour, said around 50 guests attended the two days of partying Kremlev paid for.
Who is Kremlev? He heads the International Boxing Association, which the International Olympic Committee cut ties with after repeated warnings over financial governance and ethical concerns. Putin awarded him the Order of Friendship in April, and Elliott said that days before the wedding he travelled to China in Putin's official delegation. In statements cited by the BBC, Kremlev's office described "a friendly relationship," and a spokesperson for the president's son said they were personal friends without "a business relationship."
What has the reaction been? The president's son is a private citizen, so accepting gifts from a foreign national is not illegal, but ethics watchdogs said it still presented the appearance of a conflict of interest, the BBC reported. "People don't just give hundreds of thousands of dollars to a random acquaintance without wanting something," said Jordan Libowitz of the watchdog CREW. The top Oversight Democrat wants answers on the oligarch's role in the wedding, and Democrats want to investigate Russian influence in it, The Hill reported. In remarks on the wedding carried by The Hill, Ocasio-Cortez said, "They're selling out every single person in this country." Blanche, The Hill reported, dismissed concerns about the wedding gift from the Putin ally.
Figures referenced: Donald Trump. — JudgeMarket.
