Trump Jr to Repay Russian Businessman for Wedding

Donald Trump Jr plans to reimburse Russian businessman Umar Kremlev, who helped finance part of his wedding celebrations in the Bahamas in May.

The US president said his son had assured him that the money would be returned. A person familiar with the situation also confirmed the intention.

Democrats in Congress this week began investigating reports that Kremlev, a wealthy Russian and president of the International Boxing Association, paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for the festivities. ProPublica, the news outlet that first reported the story, highlighted his close ties to the Russian government.

The president did not attend the wedding. He says he does not know Kremlev and does not consider the controversy significant. He also noted that he himself has hosted wedding parties for several people at his properties.

Bettina, the wife of Trump Jr, described Kremlev as a friend who gave the couple an exceptionally generous wedding gift. She emphasized that he paid for two after-parties, not the wedding itself. Neither Kremlev nor the boxing association immediately responded to requests for comment.

(Reuters, bak)