Trump Says Don Jr. Reimbursed Russian Oligarch After Wedding Parties — Questions Raised Over Conflicts of Interest

President Donald Trump said Friday that his son, Donald Trump Jr., reimbursed Russian oligarch Umar Kremlev after Kremlev reportedly hosted two nights of celebrations following Trump Jr.'s wedding.

The exchange occurred in the Oval Office when a reporter asked whether it was appropriate for the president's son to accept what was described as a gift from Kremlev.

"Well, it's totally, it's totally allowed. And a lot of people have parties and all, but it's totally allowed," Trump said. "But as I understand it, he paid them back. He didn't want to have that, so I hear he paid them back. A person that he knows pretty, I guess a friend of his, gave him a wedding party. That's very common."

ProPublica was the first outlet to report that Kremlev paid for parts of the wedding celebrations. The reporting said the oligarch, who has documented ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, covered expenses for two nights of post-wedding events.

Concerns and Scrutiny

Lawmakers and ethics experts warned that accepting costly gifts from foreign figures—especially those connected to adversarial governments—can create serious conflicts of interest and potential leverage over public officials and their families. When asked about Kremlev's ties to the Kremlin, the president suggested his son "didn't do a background check."

A reporter noted that the public had not previously been told that Trump Jr. repaid Kremlev. Trump later recounted that, after hearing the story, he asked his son, who told him, "No, I'm paying it back, Dad."

ABC News has asked the White House and The Trump Organization to provide documentation that Trump Jr. reimbursed Kremlev. A White House voice identified as "Blanche" said an investigation into the matter is unlikely.

Trump Jr.'s wife, Bettina Anderson, posted on Instagram that Kremlev "very generously hosted two incredible nights of celebrations for us AFTER our wedding. It was an extraordinary gift from a friend and something for which we are and remain incredibly grateful."

Kremlev's press office told ProPublica that "Mr. Kremlev and Mr. Trump Jr. have a friendly relationship" and that they first met "a couple of years ago." ABC News has reached out to Kremlev for comment.

Reporting note: ProPublica first reported the oligarch's involvement; media outlets continue to seek documentation of any reimbursement to resolve outstanding questions.