Trump's son returned the wedding party money to the Russian businessman - Kremlev
Donald Trump Jr. returned the expenses for the party organized on the occasion of his wedding to Russian businessman Umar Kremlev. This was announced by the head of the International Boxing Association (IBA), Kremlev, during a press conference in Istanbul on October 6.
Trump's son returned the money spent on the wedding party to the Russian businessman — Kremlev
Kremlev said that he attended an event with the US president's son, but was not at the wedding ceremony itself. The businessman confirmed that the expenses were reimbursed, but said he did not expect the money to be returned.
"As for the question of whether he returned the expenses or not - yes, he did," TASS quoted Kremlev as saying.
The IBA head said he did not consider this a special gift, and that it was about a joint event. He compared the situation to inviting guests to a country house and then presenting them with a bill.
Kremlev also emphasized that he has a friendly relationship with Trump Jr. According to him, he did not ask the US president's son to help him.
Donald Trump also said in a conversation with journalists on September 18 that his son had returned the money to Kremlev. The US president noted that it is common for one of the friends to pay for the expenses of a celebration held on the occasion of a wedding.
The issue came to public attention after a journalistic investigation published by ProPublica on September 14. It stated that Kremlev paid for part of the expenses of Trump Jr.'s wedding celebrations in the Bahamas.
Following this, Trump told Axios that he did not know Umar Kremlev. According to his explanation, the Russian businessman did not finance the wedding itself, but a party organized later in honor of the newlyweds. The president emphasized that the wedding took place in another location and on another day, and he himself did not participate in this party.
The incident also attracted the attention of Democrats in the US Congress. Robert Garcia, a member of the House Oversight Committee, sent a letter to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.
According to Axios, Garcia said that Democrats on the committee are investigating allegations that the Trump family used proximity to the president for financial gain. Reports that a Russian businessman covered the party expenses may also be investigated within this framework.