Blanche Addresses Reports of Oligarch Funding Trump Jr. Wedding During White House Briefing
Acting White House spokesman Todd Blanche dismisses questions about alleged payments from Russian businessman Umar Kremlev for Donald Trump Jr.'s wedding.
Attorney General Todd Blanche, stepping in as White House spokesman, addressed reports concerning Russian businessman Umar Kremlev's alleged financing of Donald Trump Jr.'s wedding celebrations. Blanche stated that "the president doesn't know who this person is" and suggested that other relevant individuals involved, including the president and his children, have already commented on the matter.
According to a ProPublica report, Kremlev, described as a sports executive and friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin, reportedly paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for the wedding celebrations of Donald Trump Jr. and his wife, Bettina Trump. This reportedly included renting a private island in the Bahamas for the reception and accommodating guests overnight.
During a press briefing held in the White House Rose Garden, Blanche was pressed on the matter. He responded by questioning the premise of an investigation, stating that the article did not reveal any wrongdoing by the Trump family or Kremlev. Blanche added, "I think all the relevant people involved the president and his kids have already addressed it."
Kremlev, president of the International Boxing Association (IBA), reportedly met Donald Trump Jr. a couple of years ago. The two were seen together at the IBA Sport + Business Forum in Istanbul in September 2025. The IBA, which has received funding from the Russian state-owned energy firm Gazprom, allegedly paid for the wedding celebration through an affiliated entity in Dubai, according to ProPublica.
Donald Trump Jr. and Bettina Trump released a joint statement addressing the reports, dismissing speculation. Bettina Trump stated, "Friendship doesn’t require a political motive. Generosity doesn’t automatically come with an agenda. 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."
During his first press briefing in the role, Blanche also made light of the journalists present, commenting on them sweating in the outdoor Rose Garden. "I'm very sorry that you're sweating," he said, before adding with a smile, "I'm not really sorry."
