Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said on Monday that the Trump administration is “selling out” Americans after attention focused on a Russian oligarch’s alleged involvement in Donald Trump Jr.’s wedding.
The New York Democrat was responding to questions about the May event, part of which has been reported as funded by Umar Kremlev, a Russian businessman said to be linked to President Vladimir Putin.
Ocasio-Cortez Criticises Russian Links
Asked about the wedding, Ocasio-Cortez said the administration appears to be serving interests other than those of the public.
“It’s profoundly disturbing,” she said. She added that she believed the administration was “selling out every single person in this country for a buck”, calling the matter “disgusting”. She questioned why the alleged spending was taking place, adding that it was being done “to have a couple of extra frills at your wedding”.
ProPublica Details Alleged Payments
A ProPublica report, published on Monday, alleged that Kremlev helped pay for wedding expenses running into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. The report cited records and three sources familiar with the event.
ProPublica said Kremlev helped rent an island and provided money for a fireworks show connected to the celebrations.
The claims were presented as allegations, with no indication in the report of confirmation by the Trump campaign or Kremlev.
Bettina Trump Defends Kremlev
Bettina Trump, the wife of Trump Jr., defended Kremlev’s role in the wedding on social media.
“Our dear friend Umar very generously hosted two incredible nights of celebrations for us AFTER our wedding,” she wrote, according to the post reported in the article.
She also said it was an “extraordinarily generous wedding gift”, adding that she and her husband were “incredibly grateful” for the assistance.
Garcia Seeks Answers
Rep. Robert Garcia, the ranking member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, called for answers regarding what he described as gifts from Kremlev.
Garcia wrote on the social platform X that he wanted to know why a Russian oligarch close to Putin would fund the wedding in the Bahamas, and what he would have received in return. He said Kremlev spent “hundreds of thousands of dollars” on Trump Jr. and argued that there should be further explanation.
According to Palm Beach County marriage records, Trump Jr. and Bettina Trump were married in West Palm Beach, Florida. They later travelled to a private island in the Bahamas for a larger wedding celebration.
Join the discussion? 
16 September 2026
Recommended Comments
Create an account or sign in to comment