Donald Trump Jr. and Bettina Trump have acknowledged that Russian oligarch Umar Kremlev contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars toward their lavish wedding celebrations in the Bahamas.
The president’s eldest son married 39-year-old socialite and model Bettina at a ceremony in Palm Beach in late May, before the couple traveled to the Bahamas for a luxury reception.
President Donald Trump did not attend the wedding, citing his national security responsibilities as the war with Iran intensified.
A report published Monday claimed that Kremlev, a wealthy oligarch and associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin, helped fund part of the couple’s wedding celebrations.
According to the report, Kremlev’s financial support included renting a private island, covering the cost of a fireworks display and paying hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional expenses.
ProPublica reported that Kremlev’s team also helped organize the wedding party.
Bettina addressed the claims Monday while sharing a series of previously unseen photographs, referring to the Russian national as “our dear friend Umar.”
She said Kremlev had “very generously hosted two incredible nights of celebrations for us,” while emphasizing that the festivities he funded took place “after our wedding.”
Newlywed Bettina addressed the reports Monday and shared previously unseen photographs, describing the Russian national as “our dear friend Umar”
Donald Trump Jr. and Bettina are pictured at her bridal shower in April this year
Russian oligarch and Putin associate Umar Kremlev reportedly helped fund part of the couple’s wedding celebrations
Eighteen guests attended Bettina and Don Jr.’s ceremony, while 50 people joined them for the Bahamas reception earlier this year.
She ended the fiery statement by telling her followers: ‘Friendship doesn’t require a political motive. Generosity doesn’t automatically come with an agenda.’
Mrs Trump wrote on Instagram this morning: ‘Don and I got married privately on Friday, surrounded ONLY by our family. It was intimate, deeply personal and one of the most beautiful days of our lives.
‘The weekend that followed had actually been planned well in advance as a fun weekend with friends. It was never intended to be our wedding weekend. When our original wedding plans changed, we simply decided to get married before it and arrived at an already planned weekend as newlyweds.
‘Our dear friend Umar very generously hosted two incredible nights of celebrations for us AFTER our wedding. It was an extraordinarily generous wedding gift from a friend, and something for which we were and remain incredibly grateful.
‘It’s unfortunate that something so personal and happy can be recast as something political or sinister simply because of who someone is or where they come from. Friendship doesn’t require a political motive. Generosity doesn’t automatically come with an agenda. And sometimes a wedding gift is simply a wedding gift.
Bettina and Don Jr. had 18 guests at the ceremony and 50 people at the reception of their Bahamas celebration. The president’s son tied the knot with 39-year-old socialite and model Bettina at a Palm Beach ceremony late May
Bettina Trump ended the fiery statement by telling her followers: ‘Friendship doesn’t require a political motive. Generosity doesn’t automatically come with an agenda’
‘We are fortunate to have wonderful friends from all over the world, and we will never be embarrassed or apologetic about being grateful for them.
‘So, for anyone determined not to let the facts get in the way of a good story: NO CONSPIRACY , NO MYSTERY. Just a private family wedding, a wonderful weekend with friends and one hell of a party.
‘And since fake news travels fast, we figured the truth deserved a few pictures.’
She signed off the post with the caption: ‘With love and gratitude, Don & Bettina.’
The couple celebrated their wedding with Don Jr’s siblings, Eric, 42, and Ivanka, 44, who also came with them to the Bahamas afterwards.
The couple’s marriage certificate, obtained by Our News Outlet, shows that they officially became husband and wife in a secret ceremony held at the West Palm Beach home of Anderson’s sister, Kristina McPherson.
Anderson said she would be taking the Trump surname.
