Don Jr repays Russian oligarch for Bahamas wedding bash after Republican revolt over 'corruption'
From the Newshound archive · first published 19 September 2026.
Donald Trump Jr and Bettina Trump at their post-wedding celebrations in the Bahamas, where Russian oligarch Umar Kremlev funded the parties and paid for a fireworks display before Donald Trump Jr repaid him amid…Umar Kremlev and Vladimir Putin. Kremlev, who heads the International Boxing Association, had been part of Putin's delegation on a state visit to China shortly before travelling to the Bahamas for the wedding…
Donald Trump Jr has repaid Umar Kremlev, a Russian oligarch with close ties to Vladimir Putin, after an international outcry sparked by ProPublica's report that Kremlev had funded two nights of lavish celebrations on a private Bahamian island following the May 21 wedding. President Trump called the arrangement "totally allowed" but said his son returned the money to defuse the political fallout. Kremlev, who heads the International Boxing Association, also picked up the tab for a second private island used for the reception and paid for a fireworks display.
Kremlev had been part of Putin's delegation on a state visit to China shortly before making his way to the Bahamas for the wedding, which drew around 50 guests.
President Trump, Melania and Barron did not attend, whereas Eric, Ivanka and Tiffany Trump were all present alongside the Putin-linked oligarch.
Bettina Trump had initially defended the arrangement on Instagram, calling Kremlev 'a close friend' whose generosity was 'an extraordinarily generous wedding gift'.
