Axios reports Democrats may probe Trump Jr.'s wedding funding by Putin-linked businessman
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A senior House Democrat may investigate reports that a Russian businessman close to Vladimir Putin paid for part of Donald Trump Jr.'s wedding. Representative Robert Garcia sent letters to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Trump Jr. on September 15. The move follows a ProPublica investigation published September 14.
Key Facts
- Representative Robert Garcia, a California Democrat, sent letters to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Donald Trump Jr. on September 15.
- ProPublica reported on September 14 that Umar Kremlev, head of the International Boxing Association, paid for fireworks and rental of a private island for Trump Jr.'s wedding celebrations in the Bahamas in May 2026.
- Donald Trump Jr. and Bettina Trump confirmed Kremlev's role in a statement posted on Bettina Trump's Instagram account.
- President Donald Trump told Axios he had never heard of Kremlev and did not attend the party.
Congressional Inquiry
Representative Robert Garcia, a California Democrat, sent letters to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Donald Trump Jr. on September 15. Garcia requested documents and communications about Trump Jr.'s contacts with Kremlev and any U.S. government warnings about the businessman's ties to Vladimir Putin. In his letter to Trump Jr., Garcia wrote that the ProPublica investigation 'may be the most serious allegation' against the president's son 'to date.' Axios noted that if Democrats win control of the House in the November 3 midterm elections, Garcia would likely become the top congressional investigator.
ProPublica Investigation
ProPublica reported on September 14 that Umar Kremlev, head of the International Boxing Association, paid for fireworks and rental of a private island for Trump Jr.'s wedding celebrations in the Bahamas in May 2026. About 50 guests attended the ceremony, including Eric Trump and Jared Kushner, the president's special envoy for peace in Ukraine. A representative for Trump Jr. said Kremlev is a personal friend and there are no business relations between them. After the ProPublica report, Donald Trump Jr. and Bettina Trump confirmed Kremlev's role in a statement posted on Bettina Trump's Instagram account.
White House Response
President Donald Trump told Axios he had never heard of Kremlev and did not attend the party. Trump said the event was an 'after-party' held in their honor and that he was not present. A representative for Trump Jr. and Kremlev himself did not respond to Axios's request for comment.
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