Sen. Thom Tillis called Russian oligarch Umar Kremlev's funding of Donald Trump Jr.'s Bahamas wedding celebrations “stupid on stilts” and backed an investigation. Tillis said the Senate Judiciary Committee's leaders should decide whether to subpoena Trump Jr.
Trump Jr. married socialite Bettina Anderson in the Bahamas in May. ProPublica-reviewed records say Kremlev, head of the International Boxing Association, helped pay for a private island and fireworks display. Anderson wrote on Instagram that Kremlev, a “dear friend,” hosted two nights of celebrations after the wedding. President Trump said Sept. 18 that the funding was “totally allowed” and that he believed his son was repaying Kremlev. Tillis said the election was 37 days away and questioned how the episode could help Republicans.
Utah Sen. John Curtis asked the Senate Judiciary Committee to subpoena Trump Jr. over his business dealings, foreign ties and benefits he may have received because he is the president's son. Curtis also sought a probe into whether presidential family ties were used for financial gain, preferential treatment or access, and said Trump Jr. should face scrutiny comparable to Hunter Biden. Sen. John Cornyn said he would support an investigation; Sen. Lisa Murkowski said she was glad Curtis sent the letter.
