Don Jr. had a big wedding. Reporters started following the money
A Russian oligarch close to Vladimir Putin funded events for Donald Trump Jr.'s wedding in the Bahamas. While ProPublica reports the wedding was secretly bankrolled by the oligarch, Trump Jr.'s wife claims the Russian paid for parties but not the wedding itself. Donald Trump defended the funding as totally allowed but stated his son paid back the oligarch for the gift. Rep. Himes has demanded an FBI investigation into the funding, though lawyer Todd Blanche suggests such an inquiry is unlikely.
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- ✓ A Russian oligarch funded events related to Donald Trump Jr.'s wedding in the Bahamas.
- ✓ Donald Trump stated his son's wedding party being bankrolled by a Russian oligarch is totally allowed.
- ✓ Donald Trump claimed his son paid back the Russian oligarch for the wedding gift.
What changed
Rep. Himes has formally demanded an FBI investigation into the wedding funding.
Live updates
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Russian Oligarch Funding of Donald Trump Jr. Wedding Sparks Investigation Demands
A Russian oligarch close to Vladimir Putin funded events for Donald Trump Jr.'s wedding in the Bahamas. While ProPublica reports the wedding was secretly bankrolled by the oligarch, Trump Jr.'s wife claims the Russian paid for parties but not the wedding itself. Donald Trump defended the funding as totally allowed but stated his son paid back the oligarch for the gift. Rep. Himes has demanded an FBI investigation into the funding, though lawyer Todd Blanche suggests such an inquiry is unlikely.
Why it matters
The involvement of a Russian oligarch in the private finances of the former president's son raises questions about foreign influence. The wedding took place in the Bahamas and involved a Russian businessman identified as Umar Kremlev.
What is confirmed
- A Russian oligarch funded events related to Donald Trump Jr.'s wedding in the Bahamas.
- Donald Trump stated his son's wedding party being bankrolled by a Russian oligarch is totally allowed.
- Donald Trump claimed his son paid back the Russian oligarch for the wedding gift.
Still unconfirmed
- The wedding was secretly bankrolled by a Russian oligarch close to Putin.
- Trump Jr.'s wife says the Russian paid for parties but not the wedding.
- A Russian businessman paid for the lavish wedding after-party.
- Todd Blanche believes an investigation into the wedding gift is unlikely.
What to watch next
- FBI decision on whether to open an investigation following Rep. Himes' demand
- Release of financial records showing the repayment mentioned by Donald Trump
confidence 80%Sources used for this update (11)
- ProPublica — Donald Trump Jr.’s Bahamas Wedding Was Secretly Bankrolled by Russian Oligarch Close to Putin
- Bloomberg.com — Trump Jr.’s Wife Says Russian Paid for Parties But Not Wedding
- The New York Times — Russian Businessman Paid for Donald Trump Jr.’s Lavish Wedding After-Party
- ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos — Blanche says investigation into Russian oligarch's wedding gift to Trump Jr. is unlikely
- Salon.com — Don Jr. had a big wedding. Reporters started following the money
- MS NOW — Rep. Himes demands FBI investigate Russian oligarch’s funding of Trump Jr. wedding events
- puck.news — Don Jr.’s “Dear Friend” in Moscow
- The Hill — Trump says son paid back Russian oligarch for wedding gift
- www.propublica.org — “Our Dear Friend Umar”: How We Uncovered That a Russian Oligarch Bankrolled Donald Trump Jr.’s Wedding
- www.bastillepost.com — Trump says his son’s wedding party being bankrolled by a Russian oligarch is ‘totally allowed’
- www.aol.com — 11 Celebs Who Got Married Or Engaged While Still In Another Relationship
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