Donald Trump Jr is to repay hundreds of thousands of dollars provided by Russian businessman Umar Kremlev to help finance his wedding after-party in the Bahamas, his father has said.
President Donald Trump defended the payments while speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, saying they were “totally allowed”. He also indicated that his eldest son had already paid Mr Kremlev back.
“That’s very common; I’ve heard of many people giving wedding parties,” Mr Trump said. “With all of that being said, I understand that Don has paid him back.”
Mr Kremlev, who is president of the International Boxing Association and has ties to the Kremlin, is understood to have helped fund the private island rental and a fireworks display for the event. Mr Trump did not attend the wedding.
Donald Trump Jr and his wife, Bettina Trump, have previously acknowledged receiving the gifts. They said the island trip was “an already planned weekend” with friends rather than their actual wedding ceremony, and described their relationship with Mr Kremlev as a friendship.
The couple also said Mr Kremlev had not attended the wedding ceremony. Ethics experts have said the distinction between the wedding and the after-party was irrelevant.
Asked whether it was appropriate for a president’s son to accept the payments, Mr Trump again defended the practice. “I’ve given wedding parties to numerous people,” he said.
