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An investigation has revealed that Russian businessman Umar Kremlev paid hundreds of thousands of dollars in expenses for a three-day wedding celebration for Donald Trump Jr., son of US President Donald Trump, in the Bahamas.
Source: the investigation by ProPublica
Details: According to ProPublica, Kremlev paid for the private island where the reception was held and the guests stayed. Renting the island costs about US$100,000 a day. He also covered around US$70,000 for the fireworks display through the company organising it, and his team helped organise the event.
The funds were provided through the Dubai-based company IB Challenger, which is linked to the International Boxing Association (IBA), headed by Kremlev. The IBA itself said it had not paid for any of the celebration's expenses.
The wedding ceremony of Trump Jr. and Bettina Anderson was private and attended by 18 guests. Around 50 people took part in the three-day celebration, including Kremlev, Eric Trump and Jared Kushner.
A spokesperson for Trump Jr. did not deny that Kremlev had paid the expenses and described him as a personal friend, stressing that there were no business relations between them. Kremlev's press service also said that he had not discussed political issues with any of his American friends and acquaintances.
Kremlev has headed the IBA since 2020. The association was previously funded by Russian energy giant Gazprom. Ukraine imposed sanctions on the businessman, citing, among other things, his ties to Russian ruler Vladimir Putin and Russian secret agencies.
Background: In September 2025, Trump Jr. spoke at an IBA conference in Istanbul alongside Kremlev, where he criticised the participation of transgender women in women's sport.
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