Donald Trump privately criticized his son Donald Trump Jr over the lavish wedding celebration he hosted earlier this year, which was partly financed by Russian businessman Umar Kremlev, according to a new report.
The president reportedly complained to aides about the event, which he did not attend because he was focused on the ongoing Iran war, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Kremlev helped pay for the post-wedding festivities in the Bahamas. Trump is said to have viewed his son’s decision to accept the funding as poor judgment.
Trump has said that Don Jr repaid Kremlev after the Caribbean celebration in May.
The president’s eldest son married 39-year-old socialite Bettina in Palm Beach before the couple traveled to the Caribbean for a lavish reception.
Bettina responded to the speculation on September 14, sharing a collection 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 event he funded took place “after our wedding.”
Eighteen guests attended the wedding ceremony, while the reception drew 50 people.
Donald Trump privately criticized his son’s decision to accept funding from a Russian oligarch for the wedding celebration, according to the WSJ. The president is pictured arriving at the White House on October 24.
Bettina Trump addressed reports about the financing of her May wedding celebrations in an Instagram post featuring previously unseen photographs. She is pictured at the party with her husband, President Trump’s eldest son, Don Jr.
Umar Kremlev, a Vladimir Putin ally and friend, helped fund the couple’s wedding celebrations.
Bettina 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.