Trump denies knowing Putin ally who funded son’s wedding party

President Donald Trump has distanced himself from his eldest son amid revelations that a sanctioned Russian oligarch bankrolled part of Donald Trump Jr.’s Bahamas wedding weekend, according to a report by The Daily Beast.

Trump told the outlet he had “no idea” who 43-year-old Umar Kremlev is, insisting the oligarch did not pay for the May wedding between Don Jr. and Bettina Anderson, but rather an “after-party.” ProPublica revealed that Kremlev, head of the International Boxing Association, paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to rent a private island for a post-wedding celebration, including a fireworks display.

Don Jr. and his wife have not denied Kremlev funded the event, with a spokesperson describing the pair as hunting friends. Kremlev, sanctioned over his closeness to Vladimir Putin, attended with other Russians, including around 50 guests overall. House Democrats, led by Rep. Robert Garcia, say they will probe the matter, citing national security concerns. First Lady Melania Trump has also denied any relationship with Kremlev.