Bettina Anderson, the second wife of Donald Trump Jr., responded to a ProPublica report that alleged a Russian oligarch offered a wedding gift worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The investigative report raised concerns about International Boxing Association President Umar Kremlev funding the couple’s post-wedding celebrations by renting a private island for $100,000 per night and paying for a $70,000 fireworks show. However, Anderson maintained her friend had no ulterior motive in covering their wedding expenses.
“Our dear friend Umar very generously hosted two incredible nights of celebrations for us AFTER our wedding,” she wrote in a lengthy Instagram post on Monday. “It was an extraordinarily generous wedding gift from a friend, and something for which we were and remain incredibly grateful.”
Anderson’s statement disputes ProPublica’s reporting on the extent of Kremlev’s financial involvement in the wedding but doesn’t fully deny it.
Kremlev, who has close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, spent time with the newlyweds instead of attending the May wedding itself. The ceremony and celebrations took place in the Bahamas.
“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,” the bride posted. “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.”
The socialite said she and her husband are not “embarrassed or apologetic” for their friendship with Kremlev and denied a “conspiracy” or “mystery” surrounding his wedding gift.
“Just a private family wedding, a wonderful weekend with friends and one hell of a party,” Anderson said.
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Kremlev was one of multiple Russian guests who were with the couple on their wedding weekend. ProPublica described their presence as “conspicuous,” considering most of the wedding guests were immediate family members of the bride and groom. The Russians were absent from almost all of the photos later released by the couple, except for the top of Kremlev’s head seen in one photo.
The Russian oligarch was sanctioned by Ukraine in 2024 due to his association with Putin and Russian security agencies. Russia and Ukraine have been at war since February 2022.