Donald Trump Jr. and his wife, Bettina Anderson, have confirmed that a close friend, Russian businessman Umar Kremlev, funded lavish celebrations following their wedding.
Kremlev, president of the International Boxing Association (IBA), hosted two nights of post-wedding festivities for the couple in the Bahamas. The events reportedly included the rental of a private island and a fireworks display, with costs estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Trump Jr. and Anderson referred to Kremlev as a "dear friend" who "very generously hosted" the celebrations.
This revelation comes weeks after Kremlev was honored by Russian President Vladimir Putin with the Order of Friendship medal at the Kremlin. Photos and videos show Putin placing the medal around Kremlev's neck before they clinked champagne glasses. Kremlev expressed gratitude to Putin for the honor on social media.
The relationship between Trump Jr. and Kremlev reportedly dates back to at least September 2025, when they appeared together at the IBA Sport and Business Forum in Istanbul. At the event, Kremlev praised Trump Jr. as a leader and friend, while Trump Jr. lauded Kremlev's efforts to restore fairness in boxing and provide opportunities for youth. Both men also shared views on the inclusion of transgender women in sports.
In statements to the press, representatives for Trump Jr. described Kremlev as a "personal friend" with whom he shares a bond over a mutual love of boxing and the outdoors. They met through a "mutual friend." A spokesperson for Eric Trump stated he had no knowledge of Kremlev.
Kremlev, 43, has a history of ties to the Kremlin. He was previously involved with the Putin-supporting motorcycle club the Night Wolves. He became head of the Russian Boxing Federation in 2017 and president of the IBA in 2020. Under his leadership, the IBA has engaged in disputes with the International Olympic Committee, which banned Russian athletes from competing under their national flag following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Putin has publicly criticized the IOC's stance.
The IBA also sent an open letter to former President Donald Trump after his 2024 election victory, expressing gratitude for his stance on athlete eligibility in women's boxing.
President Trump has stated he has no knowledge of Kremlev and that the events in the Bahamas were an "an 'after-party' given in their honor. Not a big deal!" He also clarified that the wedding itself took place at a different location and on a different day.
The Trumps stated that the weekend in the Bahamas was planned in advance as a gathering with friends, and they decided to marry before arriving as newlyweds when their original wedding plans changed. They expressed gratitude for what they called an "extraordinarily generous wedding gift from a friend."