House Probe Opens After Putin-Linked Russian Oligarch Spent Hundreds of Thousands on Donald Trump Jr.’s Wedding

The top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee has opened an investigation into Donald Trump Jr.’s relationship with a Russian oligarch close to Vladimir Putin after reporting found he spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on the president’s son’s wedding celebrations in the Bahamas.

Rep. Robert Garcia, the committee’s ranking Democrat, is seeking financial records, communications and other documents involving Umar Kremlev, president of the International Boxing Association. The inquiry focuses on Kremlev’s role in the May wedding festivities and whether his financial ties to Trump Jr. extend beyond the celebration.

The investigation follows a ProPublica report that found Kremlev covered major expenses during Trump Jr.’s three-day wedding weekend with Bettina Trump. The spending included renting a private island, paying for a large fireworks display, and helping organize the festivities.

Some of the expenses were substantial. The private island used for the final reception can rent for about $100,000 a night, while the company behind the fireworks display charges roughly $70,000 for similar shows, according to ProPublica.

Trump Jr. and his wife later confirmed Kremlev hosted two nights of celebrations, describing them as an “extraordinarily generous wedding gift from a friend.”

The couple said their May 22 ceremony was a small family gathering held before the larger celebrations. Kremlev hosted events over the following two nights, including a reception on a neighboring private island where Trump Jr. and his wife had their first dance and cut their wedding cake.

President Donald Trump has described the events Kremlev funded as an “afterparty” and said he had never heard of the Russian businessman. Trump also said he did not attend his son’s wedding festivities.

Garcia is seeking communications between Trump Jr. and Kremlev, records showing purchases by foreign nationals connected to the celebrations and information about financial relationships involving Kremlev and Trump Jr.’s companies or investments. He also asked Trump Jr. and the White House to preserve records tied to the relationship.

Kremlev has extensive ties to Russia’s political and business establishment. Putin awarded him Russia’s Order of Friendship earlier this year. He also leads the International Boxing Association, which previously received major financial backing from Russian state-owned energy company Gazprom.

Ukraine has sanctioned Kremlev over his ties to Putin and Russian officials. The International Olympic Committee withdrew recognition from the IBA in 2023 following years of concerns about its governance and finances.

Trump Jr. and Kremlev also appeared together publicly before the wedding. The two shared the stage at an IBA event in Istanbul in September 2025, where Trump Jr. referred to Kremlev as a friend. ProPublica reported that the men appear to have met only within the past few years.

Kremlev’s representatives have described the relationship as a friendship built around shared interests in boxing, hunting and outdoor activities. His office told ProPublica that Kremlev has avoided political discussions with his American friends. Trump Jr. and Bettina Trump have similarly characterized the wedding spending as a personal gift.

Garcia’s request also reaches Trump Jr.’s business interests. His letter seeks information about any financial connections between Kremlev and companies owned by or associated with the president’s son, including ventures with federal government contracts.

The inquiry is currently proceeding through requests for records. Garcia can conduct oversight and seek documents as the committee’s ranking Democrat, while compulsory subpoena authority rests with the committee’s Republican leadership.

The wedding payments also drew questions for federal law enforcement Tuesday. Attorney General Todd Blanche signaled that a Justice Department investigation was unlikely based on the information before him, questioning what conduct would provide a basis for a federal probe.

FBI Director Kash Patel faced similar questions during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. Patel said he had not reviewed the ProPublica report and told senators the bureau would examine information that comes its way and determine whether further action is warranted.