Nicolai Haugsted
Republican senator tears into Donald Trump Jr. over lavish wedding celebrations funded by a Putin-linked Russian.
Donald Trump Jr.’s lavish wedding celebrations have left some Republicans asking a question the president’s family would probably rather not spend the final weeks before the midterms answering.
Why did a wealthy Russian with close ties to Vladimir Putin pay hundreds of thousands of dollars toward celebrations for the president’s son?
North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis has now joined the Republicans demanding answers — and subtlety was not particularly high on his agenda.
Speaking on CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday, Tillis described the arrangement involving Russian businessman Umar Kremlev as “stupid on stilts” and said the circumstances deserved scrutiny.
“Folks, this was stupid on stilts,” Tillis said. “You’d think somebody would’ve gotten a memo of a bad look.”
Kremlev helped pay for lavish festivities surrounding Trump Jr.’s May wedding to Bettina Anderson in the Bahamas, according to reporting first published by ProPublica. Trump Jr. and his wife have acknowledged Kremlev’s generosity and described him as a personal friend.
No evidence has established that Trump Jr. committed a crime by accepting the hospitality, and calls for a congressional investigation remain just that — calls for lawmakers to determine whether there is anything more to the relationship.
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Tillis cannot believe nobody saw the problem
Tillis appeared particularly baffled by the optics.
Kremlev heads the International Boxing Association and has received Russia’s Order of Friendship from Putin. Shortly before the wedding festivities, he was reportedly part of a Russian delegation accompanying Putin on a visit to China.
“To have a Russian oligarch who’s actually traveled in a delegation to Beijing fund some sort of island wedding for a very wealthy family that also happens to be related to the president?” Tillis asked.
“Come on, guys, this is amateur hour.”
Tillis also pointed to Trump Jr.’s considerable personal wealth while questioning why outside financial help was necessary.
The senator said he would leave any decision about issuing a subpoena to the relevant committee leadership, but he supported taking a closer look at the arrangement.
“Maybe Don Jr. can give us a reasonable example why tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars from an oligarch went into a wedding in some beach location, but boy, I’d sure like to see the rationale behind it,” Tillis said.
“On its face, it doesn’t look very smart.”
A private island is not exactly a toaster
Tillis is no longer alone inside the Republican Party.
Utah Sen. John Curtis has formally asked the Senate Judiciary Committee to investigate whether members of presidential families have benefited financially from their proximity to power.
Curtis wants both Trump Jr. and Hunter Biden subpoenaed, arguing that scrutiny should not depend on which party controls the White House.
“For years, serious questions have been raised about members of presidential families using their names and proximity to the President to advance private business interests,” Curtis wrote.
His proposed investigation would examine “the use of presidential family relationships for private financial benefit, preferential treatment, or access by domestic and foreign interests.”
Curtis offered a considerably more colorful explanation on social media.
“A toaster is a wedding gift. A private-island party paid for by a Putin-connected oligarch is something else,” he wrote.
The senator noted that Republicans had aggressively investigated Hunter Biden’s foreign business relationships and argued that they should apply the same principle now.
“We should not unplug it now,” Curtis said of Congress’ subpoena machinery.
The newlyweds say Kremlev is simply a friend
Trump Jr. and Anderson have not denied Kremlev’s involvement.
Anderson described him as “our dear friend Umar” and said he “very generously hosted two incredible nights of celebrations for us after our wedding.”
ProPublica reported that Kremlev covered hundreds of thousands of dollars in expenses, including a private-island rental and an elaborate fireworks display. Representatives for Trump Jr. have characterized the Russian businessman as a personal friend rather than a business associate.
Kremlev’s representatives have likewise rejected suggestions of an improper motive, saying his relationship with Trump Jr. is personal and that he does not discuss politics with his American friends.
The relationship has nevertheless attracted attention partly because Trump Jr. reportedly met Kremlev only around two years ago and because of Kremlev’s connections to Russia’s political establishment.
Trump says his son is paying the money back
President Trump has defended his son and played down the controversy.
“I understand that Don’s paying him back,” Trump said after questions about the celebrations emerged.
According to the president, his son told him directly: “I’m paying him back, Dad.”
Trump also argued that having someone else host a wedding celebration was hardly extraordinary.
“I have to say, though, you know, giving a wedding party’s pretty common,” he said.
Public confirmation from Trump Jr. that reimbursement has been completed has not accompanied the president’s assertion.
Political timing appears to be bothering Tillis almost as much as the arrangement itself.
Midterm elections are now just weeks away, leaving Republicans little appetite for questions about Russian money flowing toward celebrations for the president’s wealthy son.
“We got an election to win in 37 days,” Tillis said.
“How this helps…I can’t imagine.”
