Glory to Ukraine!
Glory to the defenders of Ukraine and the entire modern civilization!
- Translation of an article from ProPublica
“Donald Trump Jr.’s Wedding in the Bahamas Was Secretly Bankrolled by a Russian Oligarch Close to Putin”
Authors: Justin Elliott, Brett Murphy, Joshua Kaplan, and Alex Mierjeski
Oligarch Umar Kremlev spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on expenses such as renting a private island. Apparently, he met Trump Jr. only recently, yet he attended the wedding closed to others as part of a large group of guests from Russia.
On May 24, Donald Trump Jr. celebrated the event in the Bahamas; semi-nude dancers in high heels and sailor caps performed for him and his guests. It was the final evening of a lavish three-day celebration held on two ultra-exclusive private islands. A five-tiered cake with colorful sprinkles was flown in from Florida, and helicopters and seaplanes ferried guests to their oceanfront villas. That evening, Trump Jr. lifted his bride in his arms as fireworks launched from a barge exploded over the sea.
“Everything was exactly as we dreamed and even better,” his wife later wrote on Instagram.
This dream was generously funded by a secret benefactor: Umar Kremlev, a Russian oligarch close to President Vladimir Putin.
Kremlev covered wedding expenses of hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to documents reviewed by ProPublica and information from three people knowledgeable about the event. The oligarch paid for the rental of one of the private islands used for the reception and guest accommodations. He also covered other costly services like the fireworks show, and his team assisted in organizing the event. Kremlev leads the International Boxing Association (IBA) – a sports organization embroiled in scandals and funded by the Russian state energy giant Gazprom. Payments for the wedding came from an IBA-associated entity in Dubai, which the boxing association uses for its financial transactions.
The guest list included about 50 people, including Trump Sr.’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, Eric Trump, and Kremlev – an imposing man with a shaved head who speaks little English. The oligarch was part of a sizable group whose presence puzzled other guests. At times, they kept to themselves, conversing in Russian.
“The company was very small—just the closest friends,” Trump Jr. later recounted on his podcast. “We tried to maintain an intimate atmosphere. And everything went just great.”
Previously unreported connections between Kremlev and Trump Jr. represent a noteworthy fact: a member of Putin’s circle provides financial support to the president’s son and gains the opportunity for close interaction with the Trump family. For a decade, Putin’s government, considered the main adversary of the U.S., has been accused of attempting to influence the course of American elections. Russia’s efforts to establish contacts with the Trumps before the 2016 elections triggered a major scandal that haunted the administration throughout much of the first presidential term.
National security experts expressed concern that Trump Jr. accepted a generous gift from an oligarch, noting that it raises an important question: what motivated Kremlev to spend a fortune on establishing these connections?
“If I pay for your wedding, at some point, you owe me something,” said Frank Montoya Jr., a retired FBI officer who held high positions in counterintelligence. Oligarchs like Kremlev often act in coordination with the Russian government. Although it is unknown if this happened in this case, Trump Jr. put himself in a vulnerable position, Montoya believes. “For the president’s son, this is simply unthinkable. Period.”
Holden Triplett, who was in charge of counterintelligence at the National Security Council during Trump’s first term, noted that Russian intelligence agencies often strive to establish ties with American officials and their families. “Money is a proven way to gain access,” said Triplett, who also worked at the FBI’s Moscow office.
According to Chinese state media reports, in the days leading up to Trump Jr.’s wedding, Kremlev was in China as part of a delegation accompanying Putin. A month earlier, Putin awarded him a state honor—the Order of Friendship. The Ukrainian government imposed sanctions personally against Kremlev, citing his closeness to Putin and Russian intelligence services.
It is unclear why Kremlev helped pay for Trump Jr.’s wedding. Apparently, they met quite recently. According to public data, Trump Jr. could have financed the celebration himself: Forbes magazine recently estimated his wealth at approximately $300 million.
In response to detailed inquiries, Trump Jr.’s representative did not deny Kremlev’s payment for the wedding. “Umar is Don’s personal friend,” he stated. The representative added that they have no business relations, and the acquaintance happened through a mutual friend from the hunting community; they bonded over a shared love of boxing and outdoor activities.
A representative for Eric Trump (brother of Donald Trump Jr.) said of Kremlev: “Eric has no idea who this person is and has never heard his name.”
In a statement from Kremlev’s press service, it was said that “Mr. Kremlev and Mr. Trump Jr. have a friendly relationship,” and their first meeting took place “a couple of years ago.”
The press service described Kremlev as a businessman and philanthropist, adding: “Mr. Kremlev has never discussed political issues with any of his American friends and acquaintances,” including Trump Jr. They stated that the boxing organization itself did not bear the costs of the wedding, but did not comment on payments from the Dubai entity. The press service also noted that during the recent visit of Putin and Kremlev to China, the latter was not part of the president’s “official delegation.”
Kushner, who participated in US government negotiations with Russia on the Ukraine issue, did not respond to requests for comments. The White House and the Russian government also did not provide answers.
This information emerged as Trump Jr. himself has become a significant political figure. Enjoying enormous popularity among MAGA movement supporters, he reportedly played an active role in selecting candidates for the administration for Trump’s second term, and The Wall Street Journal called him his father’s “chief political advisor.” “I definitely don’t think I would be sitting here as a vice-presidential candidate without Don’s help,” Vice President J.D. Vance stated to the publication at the end of 2024.
This material is based on documents and interviews with dozens of current and former IBA employees and contractors, wedding guests, and others in the circle of Trump Jr. and Kremlev.
Trump Jr. exchanged vows with socialite Bettina Anderson on a private island featured in the films “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Casino Royale” (James Bond, 2006). The newlyweds’ first dance took place on another nearby private island (the rental of which costs about $100,000 per night); these expenses were covered by Kremlev. The company that organized the fireworks usually charges around $70,000 for such shows. (According to Trump Jr.’s representative, Kremlev himself did not attend the ceremony, which took place on the first day with a small circle of 18 guests.)
The atmosphere was reminiscent of a mix between Monte Carlo and a college party: constant helicopter arrivals and departures, DJ sets on the beach, beer pong tournaments. One day, the men went spearfishing. Masters from the London fashion house Safiyaa spent 150 hours embroidering a silk outfit, custom-made for Anderson especially for the ceremonial reception. For this event, the president’s son underwent a procedure aimed at making his jawline more defined.
Some of Trump Jr.’s longtime friends admitted to acquaintances that they were disappointed by the lack of an invitation, although several of his closest business partners – executives of the family cryptocurrency company World Liberty Financial and venture firm 1789 Capital – managed to be among the guests.
President Trump himself did not attend the event. (“He would have liked me to go, but it will be a very small, purely private event,” the president told reporters in advance. “I said: you know, it’s not the best time for me right now.”) However, a significant part of the guests consisted of the closest relatives of the bride and groom.
This made the sizable group of Russians particularly noticeable.
“What are they doing here?” thought one of the attendees. At least one of the Russian guests accompanied Kremlev on a trip to China: it was businessman Alexander Lagutin, who previously held senior positions in a Russian defense enterprise and a state energy company. Kremlev’s right-hand in IBA, Elena Sobol, was also present at the wedding.
After the wedding, the Trumps published numerous photos and videos from the celebration. Although many guests were captured in them, the Russians were not seen in any of the images. (In one of the group photos posted on Instagram by the bride’s friend, only the top of Kremlev’s head can be seen in the background.) At the end of the party, Trump Jr., in his podcast “Triggered,” specifically noted the private nature of the event: “The people who were there… if you got on that list, you weren’t talking too much.”
In 2009, Umar Kremlev did not yet exist.
He was about thirty, had convictions for extortion and assault, and, according to the Russian independent publication “Project,” he still carried the surname given at birth, Lutfulloyev.
However, he was soon to rise rapidly to the heights of wealth and influence in Russia, not without the help of a powerful friend. (Kremlev’s press service stated: “Mr. Kremlev has an absolutely clean legal biography.”)
In 2010, he changed his last name to Kremlev. Soon after, he joined the biker club “Night Wolves,” supported by Russian authorities, and, as reported by the media, eventually took on a leadership role in the club.
This connection brought him closer to Alexei Rubezhny, who now heads the Presidential Security Service (Putin’s personal security), as reported by “Project.” In 2017, Kremlev became the head of the Russian Boxing Federation after Rubezhny personally intervened to appoint him to the position.
In 2020, Kremlev became the president of IBA. This association was somewhat analogous to FIFA in the boxing world and had long overseen the sport at the Olympics. However, the organization found itself at the center of corruption scandals and was on the brink of bankruptcy. Kremlev attracted funds from “Gazprom,” a state company acting as a tool of Putin’s government. “Gazprom” openly became the IBA’s financial sponsor, replenishing its treasury with tens of millions of dollars.
According to former high-ranking IBA officials, Kremlev had a clear political agenda. “Umar acts with Putin in mind. Sport was used as a ‘soft power’ tool in politics,” a former IBA board member told ProPublica. “It’s geopolitics. The fact that it’s boxing is just a coincidence.” The 43-year-old Kremlev is also actively involved in the organization “Healthy Homeland,” led by the twin sister of his 23-year-old wife. This organization, which promotes healthy eating and children’s sports, was sanctioned by Ukraine due to alleged involvement in the program for taking Ukrainian children from occupied territories under the pretext of “rehabilitation.” (Representatives of “Healthy Homeland” did not respond to a request for comments.)
Close ties to the authorities have brought Kremlev immense wealth. As reported by “Project,” Putin utilized state mechanisms to make Kremlev a key player in the Russian sports betting market; additionally, one of his companies was chosen as the national lottery operator. After Putin nationalized the largest car dealership network in Russia in 2023, Kremlev became its owner.
Now, he openly flaunts his wealth, maintaining the image of an eccentric and loud public figure. In one video posted on social media, Kremlev presents a surprise gift to a young mother – a free car. In another, he criticizes his young assistant’s outfit as insufficiently feminine and makes her change. He conducts sparring sessions with an imaginary opponent surrounded by ostriches and invites celebrities like Rick Ross and Naomi Campbell to IBA events; he praises Stalin and flies on private jets.
After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the U.S. began indicting Russian oligarchs and seizing their yachts and other assets. According to a source close to the IBA leadership, Kremlev repeatedly told his associates that he feared being targeted by an American investigation. “He was very afraid of American sanctions,” the source added. (Kremlev’s name does not appear on the open U.S. sanctions lists.)
As the business climate in Europe became increasingly hostile towards Russia, Kremlin moved a significant portion of IBA’s activities from Switzerland to the United Arab Emirates. Later, the new Dubai company, IB Challenger, covered the wedding expenses of Trump Jr. The sources of IBA’s funding remain unclear, and the organization’s top management has given conflicting statements about its relationship with Gazprom in recent years. (Kremlin’s press service told ProPublica that the IBA sponsorship contract with Gazprom “expired long ago.”) However, people close to the organization believe that funds continue to come from Russia.
In 2023, the International Olympic Committee stripped IBA, led by Kremlin, of the right to organize boxing competitions at the Olympic Games. The reason was numerous management issues, as well as the organization’s refusal to “transparently disclose funding sources or explain its then-complete financial dependence on a single state company.”
This was a serious blow, depriving IBA of a key lever of international influence. Since then, Kremlin has repeatedly launched angry criticism at the Olympic Committee, stating that his predecessor as head of IBA, whom he blames for the problems, “should be shot.”
Kremlin saw a potential ally in President Trump. After Trump’s second inauguration in January 2025, Kremlin sent the president an open letter asking to investigate the Olympic Committee’s actions ahead of the 2028 Games in Los Angeles. “We are very optimistic about the possibility of working together to make the Olympic movement great again,” he wrote.
In September 2025, IBA invited Trump Jr. to participate in a panel discussion on boxing in Istanbul. In the presence of his then-girlfriend Anderson, who watched from the audience, he criticized the participation of transgender women in women’s sports competitions and shared childhood memories of watching boxing matches on Saturday evenings. Trump Jr. appeared on stage with Kremlin, boxer Manny Pacquiao, and Muhammad Ali’s daughter Rasheda. (A representative for Trump Jr. stated that he did not receive a fee for the appearance and was in Turkey for another event.)
The president’s son had every reason to understand how delicate it could be to associate with a Putin ally, especially at a time when his father was dealing with issues related to the Russia-Ukraine war. Trump Jr.’s meeting with a Russian lawyer at Trump Tower in June 2016 became one of the key episodes of the investigation led by Robert Mueller.
The Trump Tower meeting was organized after an email offered Trump Jr. compromising information about Hillary Clinton, allegedly “as part of Russia and its government’s support for Mr. Trump.” Trump Jr. replied with a later-famous phrase: “If it’s what you say, I love it, especially later in the summer.” Trump Jr. later called the affair a “witch hunt,” and Mueller’s report concluded there was not enough evidence to charge him with a crime.
Lately, Kremlev has been working on entering the US market. In July, the organization he leads held a bare-knuckle boxing tournament in Miami, introducing the public to this particularly brutal and bloody sport where fighters compete without gloves. However, this debut was marred by an incident: right at the entrance to the arena, US Marshals Service officers arrested Andrew Tate, an influencer from the “manosphere,” who had been invited by the IBA as a host. (In the UK, Tate faces charges of rape and human trafficking for sexual exploitation; he denies these charges.)
Much about the relationship between Kremlev and Trump Jr. – and how it will develop further – remains unclear. In a press release issued after a discussion panel in Istanbul, IBA hinted at continued cooperation.
“President Kremlev and Donald Trump Jr. made it clear: this alliance will not be limited to a symbolic gesture,” the statement said. “New joint initiatives will follow.”
“After the publication of the material, Donald Trump Jr. and Bettina Trump confirmed Umar Kremlev’s role: ‘Our dear friend Umar was incredibly generous in organizing two amazing festive evenings for us,'” the statement published on Bettina’s Instagram account said.
“This was an extraordinarily generous wedding gift from a friend – a gesture for which we were and remain incredibly grateful,” they added.
“It’s sad that such a personal and joyful event can be misrepresented as something political or sinister simply because of who a person is or where they come from,” they wrote. “Friendship requires no political motives.”
They also distinguished between the ceremony that took place on May 22 (which was attended only by family members) and the rest of the wedding weekend events.
The end of the translation.
There are 859 days left until the end of the story titled “Fear: Trump in the White House” © (the title of a book by Bob Woodward, published in 2018).
Thank you to everyone who read this. Take care of yourselves and your loved ones. Take care of each other and help each other. Wishing health to everyone.
Ultimately, what happens in the world depends on us—whether we fight against evil, do good, remain mere observers, wait passively, and hope that someone somewhere will decide for us, or whether we fight against evil and do everything possible for good to prevail.
We must not allow evil to prevail. The victory of evil would mean the end of the world we live in. We cannot let this happen. Especially now.
Ukrainian Friends, I embrace and love you all. Please take care of each other, I ask you very much.
Ukraine is and will always be.
And evil will be defeated and punished. And it will definitely happen.
