Donald Trump reportedly criticized his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr, in private over a lavish wedding celebration that was partly funded by Russian businessman Umar Kremlev earlier this year.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the president voiced concerns to aides about the event, which he did not attend because the ongoing Iran war was demanding his attention.
Kremlev helped cover the cost of the post-wedding gathering in the Bahamas, a decision Trump allegedly viewed as poor judgment on his son’s part.
Trump has said that Don Jr later repaid Kremlev for the Caribbean celebration, which took place in May.
Don Jr married 39-year-old socialite Bettina in Palm Beach before the couple traveled to the Caribbean for an extravagant reception.
Bettina responded to speculation about the celebration on September 14, sharing a series of previously unseen photographs and describing Kremlev as “our dear friend Umar.”
She said he had “very generously hosted two incredible nights of celebrations for us,” while emphasizing that the festivities he funded took place “after our wedding.”
The couple’s ceremony was attended by 18 guests, while 50 people joined the reception.
Donald Trump privately criticized his son’s decision to accept funding from a Russian oligarch for the wedding celebration earlier this year, according to the WSJ. Trump is pictured arriving at the White House on October 24.
Bettina Trump addressed speculation over who paid for her May wedding celebration, sharing previously unseen photographs on Instagram. She is pictured at the event with her husband, President Trump’s eldest son, Don Jr.
Umar Kremlev, a Russian oligarch and friend of Vladimir Putin, helped fund the couple’s wedding celebrations.
She concluded her forceful statement by telling followers: “Friendship doesn’t require a political motive. Generosity doesn’t automatically come with an agenda.”
In an Instagram post, Bettina wrote: “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.
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“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.
“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.”
Donald Trump Jr and Bettina at the couple’s lavish bridal shower at Mar-a-Lago in April
‘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 went with them to the Bahamas.
A spokesperson for Eric said in a statement he ‘has absolutely no clue who this person is, nor has he ever heard his name.’
The revelation of the Russian businessman bankrolling Don Jr’s lavish wedding afterparties drew scrutiny from House Oversight Democrats.
Representative James Walkinshaw, a Democrat on the committee, wrote on X, ‘A Putin-connected Russian oligarch secretly bankrolled Don Jr.’s lavish wedding. Putin’s circle doesn’t spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on the President’s family for nothing. What was he expecting in return? We need answers.’
Representative Robert Garcia, the committee’s ranking Democrat, also questioned the payments, writing, ‘Why did a Russian oligarch close to Putin fund Trump Jr.’s wedding in the Bahamas? Umar Kremlev spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on the President’s son. What did he get in return? We need answers.’
The White House and Don Jr’s representatives have been contacted for comment.
