Kremlin-Linked Businessman Helped Pay for Donald Trump Jr.’s Wedding – ProPublica

Sep. 14, 2026 Umar Kremlev. Dulverov Umar Kremlev, a Russian businessman with close ties to the Kremlin, helped pay for Donald Trump Jr.’s wedding earlier this year, ProPublica reported Monday, citing financial records and three sources familiar with the matter. The payments included around $100,000 to rent a private island and $70,000 for a fireworks display on the first day of the three-day wedding of the U.S. President Donald Trump’s son, according to the report. The funds were paid through IB Challenger, a Dubai-based firm used by Kremlev to run operations for the International Boxing Association (IBA), which he heads, after moving them from Switzerland following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The IBA told ProPublica it incurred no wedding expenses itself, while declining to comment on IB Challenger’s payments. Kremlev is under Ukrainian sanctions due to his ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin through Alexei Rubezhny, head of the Kremlin leader’s personal security service. National security experts told ProPublica that a member of Putin’s circle gaining intimate access to Trump’s family by financially backing his son’s wedding raises serious concerns. “If I’m paying for your wedding, at some point, you’re going to owe me something,” said Frank Montoya Jr., a retired career FBI official who held senior counterintelligence roles. “This should be unthinkable for the son of the president. End of story,” Montoya Jr. added. Kremlev’s press office said the he met Trump Jr. “a couple of years ago” and the two men have since maintained a “friendly relationship.” A spokesperson for Trump Jr. also described Kremlev as his “personal friend” who he had met through a mutual friend in the hunting world. He did not dispute Kremlev’s wedding payments. Read more about: Trump , United States , Elites Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Russia Offered to End Iran Intelligence Sharing if U.S. Halted Ukraine Support – Politico Russia has expanded intelligence-sharing and military cooperation with Iran since the U.S.-Israeli attack on Tehran on Feb. 28. 2 Min read Trump Eyes Ukraine Deal Exchanging Rare Earths for Aid Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had floated such an idea last October as part of his "victory plan" for ending the war with Russia. 1 Min read Is Morgan Freeman Stressed Out? The Kremlin Thinks So “Many creative people fall prey to emotional stress without real information about the real state of things." Russia Reveals U.S. Appeals for Help in Election Hacking Investigation The United States submitted two appeals for information on possible Kremlin interference in the country's presidential elections in 2016.